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How Drone Roof Inspections Make Maintenance More Effective

Posted on October 4, 2024

drone roof inspection

Roof inspections have been crucial, but challenging, parts of home maintenance. Traditionally, these inspections were done by roof inspectors, who relied on ladders and scaffolds to perform their inspections. While this method provided a direct visual inspection, it had its own significant drawbacks. 

Traditional roofing inspections involve safety hazards, time constraints, and limited accessibility to certain areas of the roof. 

But over the years, with several advancements in technology, this tiresome job has gained a much safer, faster, and cost-effective alternative thanks to drones. In this article, we will inform you of everything related to this new inspection method that has changed how roofs are inspected across the country.  

What Is A Drone Roof Inspection?

Drone Roof Inspection

When a roof inspection is done using a drone, it is called a drone roof inspection. In this process, a drone is used to survey, capture, and assess the condition of a roof instead of sending a person onto the roof for a traditional visual inspection. With its high-resolution cameras, sensors, and other advanced technology, the drone easily captures images and videos. This makes it easier for your roofing contractor to analyze the data and identify the damage and issues of the roof. 

Though regular roof inspections are still the go-to method even today, this method is gaining popularity because of its numerous benefits.

Benefits Of A Drone Roof Inspection

Better Safety 

Using ropes, ladders, and scaffolds can be tricky, regardless if it’s a normal or extreme weather event. Whether it is a home or a commercial building, the traditional method requires someone to climb up to the roof to evaluate the damage. The risk of accidents, especially on a roof with steep slopes, is at the top of the list of possible mishaps during a roof inspection. 

However, using drones instead of humans quickly reduces the risk and provides a safer environment for the job. It is also much more accessible than a physical roof inspection, where a pilot operates the device directly from the ground to evaluate the damage. 

It’s also safer for the roofing materials and roof structure, as there will be no foot traffic on the roof to create future problems. 

Better Cost-Effective Choice

Drones reduce the cost of labor associated with roof inspections. For large-scale commercial buildings, warehouses, or multi-level apartment complexes that would traditionally need specialized teams to perform inspections, drones are particularly cost-effective. With drones, you can cover vast areas quickly, minimizing labor costs and operational disruptions.

Better Speed And Precision

Time is money, and drones excel at saving both. What used to be a multi-hour, or even multi-day, process can now be completed in minutes. Drones can fly over a roof and capture high-resolution images or videos of every angle and corner in minutes. 

Drones also offer something humans simply can’t, which is the ability to hover and take detailed images at any height, from any angle. This precision is a game-changer for anyone responsible for building upkeep, allowing them to pinpoint the exact location and extent of damage without guesswork.

For large or complex buildings, drones eliminate the need for multiple inspectors covering different sections.  It can also reach into the difficult areas of the roofing system easily and evaluate the damages with precision. 

Better Technology 

The drones that roofing companies in Wisconsin generally use have HD camera sensors and thermal imaging technology. These help drones provide better images and make them incredibly effective for roof inspections. 

These features allow drones to detect visible issues like cracked shingles or damaged gutters and hidden problems, such as heat loss, water infiltration, and insulation deficiencies. Thermal imaging, for example, can reveal areas where heat is escaping, indicating possible insulation gaps or leaks that are invisible to the naked eye.

Better Data Accuracy 

Drones capture clear and precise data through high-resolution images, videos, and thermal scans, providing an in-depth view of the roof’s condition. This information can be easily stored and compared over time, allowing property owners and maintenance teams to track changes in roof health with greater accuracy. 

The ability to document each inspection and store detailed records creates a comprehensive history of the roof’s condition, helping to spot trends or recurring issues. It also makes long-term maintenance more efficient, enabling timely repairs and preventive actions before problems worsen. With drones, maintaining a roof becomes a well-documented and manageable process, reducing unexpected costs and extending the roof’s lifespan.

Better For The Planet 

As environmental consciousness grows, even routine tasks like roof inspections are getting an eco-friendly upgrade. Traditional inspections often require trucks, ladders, and heavy equipment, all of which contribute to carbon emissions. 

Drones, however, offer a greener alternative. Powered by batteries and more energy-efficient, drones eliminate the need for large equipment and reduce the overall environmental footprint.

Cutting down on transportation costs and allowing for more frequent inspections, drones also help detect problems early. Addressing minor issues before they escalate into significant repairs saves resources, further enhancing sustainability.

How Roof Inspections Are Done With A Drone   

A roof inspection that utilizes a drone is a very technical job requiring a significant amount of training, knowledge, and experience. Due to this, it is advisable to seek help from a certified professional or a roofing contractor who can help you complete the job on time. 

👉Pre-Inspection Planning:

The first step in this process is to use a drone to gather information about the building’s layout and condition to ensure compliance with local regulations and safe weather conditions for flying.

👉Flight Setup: 

After planning, the operator selects a comprehensive flight path and calibrates the drone’s onboard cameras and sensors, including thermal or infrared technologies.

👉Takeoff and Flight: 

The drone takes off, capturing detailed images of critical areas like gutters and skylights. It typically completes the flight in a couple of minutes to a few hours.

👉Data Collection:

 Equipped with advanced technology, the drone captures high-resolution images, videos, and data, including thermal images to detect hidden issues like air leaks.

👉Post-Flight Analysis:

 All the data that was collected is analyzed using specialized software to identify the damage and weakness on the roof. 

👉Reporting and Recommendations: 

The findings are compiled into a detailed report, including images and repair recommendations, providing a comprehensive view of the roof’s condition.

Get A Drone Roof Inspection Today From The Experts At Prestige Roofing LLC

Modern times need modern solutions, and in this case, drone roof inspections are more than just a tech trend. They are a much smarter, safer, and efficient way to inspect the roofs of homes and businesses. Drones also improve inspection by delivering the results in a safer, quicker, and more accurate way. 
If you are looking for any assistance regarding your residential or commercial roof inspection, look no further than the team at Prestige Roofing LLC! Our experts will take care of all your needs using our best drone technology. To contact us, reach out at (920) 791-0414 and we will answer all your questions.