Drone roof survey

[Dee J]

Collective mind, can you please advise...
I need to find out the state of a roof on a small 3 storey building in the middle of Bristol. It's a typical victorian back-lane service block that's very land-locked. Small lane at the front, tiny courtyard at the back, buildings all around, so access equipment is very difficult to arrange. Does anyone have any experience or recommendations about aerial drone surveys? Some good video footage would be a real help, but obviously not a DIY job with all the liabilities and legal issues of flying in a location like that.....

 

[sako243]

No idea about having it done professionally but because I bought a slightly silly house I bought a DJI Mavic Mini a few years back and it earned it's money back almost immediately spotting some issues with the roof that would have cost either a cherry picker in or a load of scaffolding to even spot. The drone itself will record 2.7k footage until the SD card is full and takes the same quality pictures. Local builder knew I had this and a church he was involved with asked me to pop up and have a look at their roof, ended up just selling them the SD card because it filled 16GB for a short visit but they could then sit down and speak with the builder to plan the best approach for fixing it.

So yes they are very useful and a damn sight easier to do than going up with ladders etc., guess you just need to find someone now. Sorry I can't help with that.

 

[voipio]

Loft access, and a look at the state of the upper floor ceilings might give some clues about potential problems.

 

[Keith 66]

My son lived in a rented flat in the centre of Bristol when he was at uni. Four storey surrounded by tall buildings... The roof was iffy due to lack of access to gutters etc & they had damp problems, At least their landlord was fixing it! A drone would have been invaluable to look at that place.

 

[Bullet2012]

You should be able to find someone on drone safe.

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[pcwizme]

If I was closer I would have popped round, most drone opps say roof survery, they mean pictures and video of roof, most have no real idea of what is wrong tbh but can show you the state of the roof and you can see the issues and then show your builder.

Drone safe is one option, other option is using one of the drone facebook groups to find someone. Just make sure they have at least a 750 thousand insurance coverage at this is required by law.

 

[Ruffian]

Did similar for mum and dad a few months back.

Got a dji mini 2 and inspected the roof at their house, mine and gutters etc..

Such a handy little tool,
But can't say professionally as only a hobby for me etc.

 

[Agroshield]

...most drone opps say roof survery, they mean pictures and video of roof, most have no real idea of what is wrong...

Do drones just record the pictures onto a memory card or can they transmit back to a screen on the ground?

If record only, how quickly could you view the video once it has landed?

I am thinking you send it up for a once over, have a competent roofing person standing next to the pilot, view the video and then send it up a second time for a more detailed look at specific parts or to cover stuff that might have been missed.

 

[sako243]

Do drones just record the pictures onto a memory card or can they transmit back to a screen on the ground?

If record only, how quickly could you view the video once it has landed?

I am thinking you send it up for a once over, have a competent roofing person standing next to the pilot, view the video and then send it up a second time for a more detailed look at specific parts or to cover stuff that might have been missed.

Usually streams a lower resolution back to the operator and then can capture hidef onto a memory card.

My Mavic Mini uses my phone coupled to a controller to control it - I.e. The phone is the screen.

 

[Dilkris]

I have a DJI Mini 2 with iphone - DJI saves photos or video (your choice) on an SD card which is carried by the Drone - video's and or pictures are seen in real time on the iphone display - pictures and videos very sharp, no issues at all. Option to change camera/video settings is huge - (too advanced for me) whilst in flight. You really can't go wrong - perfect for what you need. Be careful if doing yourself, Drones over a certain weight, (I believe +250 grams), are now very heavily legislated in the UK and even with sub 250 gram units (DJI Mini 2) - "they" know what you are doing and when....
Perfect rout to go - but if I was you in the UK - I'd engage a third party. I'm presently working in Africa (so no such restrictions here - yet.... ), and use mine to inspect the operation from the comfort of my office.....

 

[Rickt]

My DJI Mini has done a few little jobs for people with roof problems. I suppose your not realy allowed too ,but just a quick flight can spot some problems.
The one below was for the neighbor after the bad storm at the end of 2021. See if you can find someone with a mini to take a look.

 

[Milkybars]

If I was closer I would have popped round, most drone opps say roof survery, they mean pictures and video of roof, most have no real idea of what is wrong tbh but can show you the state of the roof and you can see the issues and then show your builder.

Drone safe is one option, other option is using one of the drone facebook groups to find someone. Just make sure they have at least a 750 thousand insurance coverage at this is required by law.

I was going to chip in and hope to find someone local to me for a little project ! amazingly @pcwizme you couldn't be much nearer

​

 

[pcwizme]

I was going to chip in and hope to find someone local to me for a little project ! amazingly @pcwizme you couldn't be much nearer

​

Happy to pop round with the mavic mini if you need... havent had a fly this year as weather has been foul!

 

[Dee J]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Currently in discussion with Clifton Drone Services who have the advantages of being RICS chartered Surveyors and having the appropriate drone licensing, and they're also just up the road from the house.... I'll see how it goes.

 

[Dilkris]

My DJI Mini has done a few little jobs for people with roof problems. I suppose your not realy allowed too ,but just a quick flight can spot some problems.
The one below was for the neighbor after the bad storm at the end of 2021. See if you can find someone with a mini to take a look.
View attachment 381398

That roof has some problems....

 

[brightspark]

daughter brougt hers round at Christmas had a quick look at the ridges and chimney with flashings all was fine just do it

 

[Craig-SM]

A drone will only show pictures of the roof so felt and lat problems won’t be evident. As a survey it will be basic and any quote I’d take as best possible option so make sure you know the cost of a full replacement if required.

 

[EddyP]

Drone technology is amazing now, we've used them at work to do topographic surveys and 3D scans of entire sites, they're accurate to a few mm, incredible.

 

[roofman]

I use my DJ mini a lot to reach roofs for a looksie, can tell the punters a costing without even taking the ladders off my van