Drones provide a new and innovative way to inspect roofs thoroughly. With rooflines becoming more complex to navigate physically using the traditional means, drones can help overcome the challenges. Drone photography enables the collection of critical and actionable data on commercial and residential rooftops, such as the size and shape of roofs, detecting any moisture and inspecting for damage.
4 Best Drones for Roof Inspection
There is a variety of drone options depending on the size of the roofing surface.
The Parrot Anafi thermal drone
It is an excellent choice for all types of building and infrastructure inspections. The drone comes with a couple of intelligent flight modes that will make conducting inspections easier, and a range of analytical tools can process the data captured by the camera.
DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced
The drone has an omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system, 30 minutes of flight time, and an intelligent flight mode called waypoint that will allow operators to plan automated flight paths for easier inspection missions.
DJI Mavic Air 2S
It comes with a range of features that allow operators to capture crystal clear images and videos easily. The drone has a maximum flight time of 30 minutes and uses DJI’s innovative transmission technology for a smoother live video feed. It is probably the best photographic drone that is affordable. See DJI Mavic for more information.
Parrot Anafi
It is a very lightweight drone weighing over 300 grams and can rotate 180° for some great viewing angles. The drone has a flight time of 25 minutes and comes with intelligent flight modes, including waypoint and image tracking capability.
Procedure for a Drone Inspection
The estimator, operator or pilot creates the flight plan on the app. Once the goal is ready, the pilot uses the controller or mobile phone app to launch and control the drone. The drone automatically follows the flight path while gathering images.
After some time, the drone lands and information is transferred to the mobile phone.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Drone
Stability
From strong breezes to rainfall, an ideal drone should remain stable and be able to fly in different weather conditions. Otherwise, the drone might crash into something when passing close to the roof structure.
Quality of the camera
A high-quality camera ensures clear photography and videography, allowing the operator to survey your roof correctly. Other sensors like thermal sensors will also help in this regard. The camera has to be light, weather-resistant and has long battery life.
Flight Range and Battery Life
The battery sends the voltage needed that makes the motor run. The longer the battery life, the more time the drone will be able to fly and conduct the survey before landing, which means that the drone can carry out the job faster. A good flight range is essential when surveying large properties or multiple buildings.
Real-time Transmission
To undertake accurate roof inspections, transmitting the video footage that the drone captures in real-time is vital since it is more efficient than just recording and viewing it later, after landing.
Contribution of Drones to Roof Inspection
Reduce Inspection Time
Transporting, assembling or setting up heavy access equipment is reduced, saving the time required to perform, making inspections more manageable and faster, and facilitating frequent and multiple reviews.
Reduce Safety Risks
With the complexity of the roof design and height of the building or structure, risks, including falls from the access equipment such as ladders, collapsing roofs, and electrocution, are significantly reduced by drones.
Saves on Costs
It cuts down on labor, equipment and time. Reducing the need to use ladders reduces the risks and the need to purchase them. In addition, drones eliminate the need to ensure workers and the equipment.
Conclusion
Drone-based roof inspections are affordable, safer and faster than traditional methods. The drone-based inspection technology allows inspectors to gather a detailed picture of a building’s roof. You can search for a Richmond roofing contractor or a contractor in your area to get the professional help you need. They will help you identify cost savings opportunities and increase the long-term value of your property.