Terracotta enters the drone age: UAVs and aerial surveys

Historically, assessing the condition of roofs, parapets, chimneys, and other high-level detailing could be fraught with uncertainty. Absent high level access, such as towers or scaffolding, the inspection of the upper elements of a building was typically conducted from the ground, with a pair of binoculars the surveyor’s only aid. While higher-level windows and rooflights often allow for a better view of roofscapes, there invariably remain inspection restrictions, resulting in caveated reports which rely to some extent on informed guesswork and deduction.  

However, the increasing availability of affordable, commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or ‘drones’ in common parlance) in recent years has drastically improved the ease with which hard-to-reach elements of a building can be inspected. Small, off-the-shelf ‘quadcopter’ UAVs can be deployed with minimal preparation and can be operated with few restrictions across most of the country. Their sensitive controls and high-resolution cameras mean that UAVs can manoeuvre into even the most difficult-to-access areas and capture high-quality imagery, enabling comprehensive assessment of roof coverings, guttering, flashings and the like.   

While offering game-changing capabilities to the surveyor, drones are not toys, and, improperly operated, they can present a risk to the public and property alike. Our operators are therefore trained and qualified in accordance with Civil Aviation Authority standards to ensure that this revolutionary technology is employed in a safe and responsible manner.