Roof inspection

Roof inspection
by drone

A drone roof inspection photographs an entire roof from the air, in high definition, to document its condition without anyone stepping onto it. Tiles, slates, steel sheeting, waterproofing membranes, flashings and detailing are reviewed area by area, with the building still in use.

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Why use a drone

See the whole roof without setting foot on it

Inspecting a roof usually calls for a cherry picker, scaffolding or rope access: permits, ground marking, part of the site taken out of use, and direct exposure to the risk of falling. The drone reaches the same viewpoints from the ground and covers every slope in a single visit, including areas a roofer cannot reach without heavy equipment.

The benefit is not only safety. Every defect is photographed in high definition and located on the roof, so repairs can be priced from the evidence, an insurance claim can be documented, and the condition of the roof can be compared from one visit to the next.

No one working at height
No cherry picker, scaffolding or fall arrest system to install
All roof slopes covered in a single visit
Defects located and photographed in high definition

Deliverables

Our roof inspection services

The scope is agreed with you beforehand: buildings covered, level of detail expected and the form of the report.

High-definition photo capture

Systematic survey of slopes, edges, ridges and detailing, with both overall and close-up views suitable for diagnosis.

Infrared roof thermography

Detection of damp areas, insulation defects and water ingress beneath membranes, invisible in visible light, using an onboard thermal camera.

Roof orthophotography

A rectified, scaled view of the roof, usable to measure areas and prepare a repair or replacement estimate.

3D modelling by photogrammetry

Reconstruction of the roof volume where the geometry is complex: multiple pitches, roof lights, plant enclosures and stepped structures.

Located inspection report

Findings placed back on a roof plan, with the matching views, so works can be arbitrated and prioritised.

Use cases

When clients call us in

Condition survey of a roof before purchase or before works
Assessment after a storm, hail or other weather event
Tracing the source of water ingress across a large roof
Periodic monitoring of a portfolio of commercial or industrial buildings
Preparing a pricing file for a roofing contractor

Frequently asked questions

Does anyone still need to go onto the roof?

In most cases, no: the drone documents every slope from the air. A physical check remains useful when a defect calls for a core sample or a watertightness test.

Does the building have to be closed during the survey?

No. The inspection is carried out from outside, with no interruption to operations. We simply agree a ground safety perimeter during the flights.

How long does a roof inspection take?

The flight usually takes between thirty minutes and two hours depending on the area and complexity of the building. The report follows once the data has been processed.

Can a drone detect water ingress?

The thermal camera highlights areas where moisture changes the thermal behaviour of the roof. It is a solid aid to locating the problem, which then guides a targeted check.

Can the weather prevent the flight?

Yes. Sustained rain and strong wind postpone the visit. For thermography we also choose a time slot where the temperature difference makes defects readable.

Our method

How a mission unfolds

Four steps, from the first conversation to the delivery of your data.

01
Scoping
We define together the perimeter, the accuracy required and the format of the deliverables.
02
Flight preparation
Feasibility study, analysis of site constraints and regulatory procedures.
03
On-site acquisition
Our remote pilots operate on site, without interrupting your activity.
04
Processing and delivery
Data processing, quality control and delivery of annotated results.

Nationwide coverage

We operate everywhere in France

Dronexperts operates across the whole of France. Our professional drone pilots travel to wherever your site is, anywhere in the country, and across Europe for the specific missions our industrial clients require.

Our 5 registered training centres — Paris West (Beynes, 78), Strasbourg (Schiltigheim, 67), Toulouse (Labarthe-sur-Lèze, 31), Marseille/Toulon (Le Castellet, 83) and Bordeaux (Mérignac, 33) — act as anchor points so we can reach every region quickly. They are starting bases, not a limit: we operate throughout France, with the same procedures, the same insurance cover and the same standards from one end of the country to the other.

Paris West — Beynes (78)

Our anchor point in Île-de-France: Paris, the inner and outer suburbs and the wider Paris basin.

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Strasbourg — Schiltigheim (67)

Our Grand Est base: Strasbourg, Colmar, Mulhouse, Metz, Nancy, Reims and the German and Swiss border areas.

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Toulouse — Labarthe-sur-Lèze (31)

Our Occitanie base: Toulouse, Montpellier, Albi, Tarbes, Perpignan and the whole South-West.

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Marseille / Toulon — Le Castellet (83)

Our Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur base: Marseille, Toulon, Aix-en-Provence, Nice and the Mediterranean coast.

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Bordeaux — Mérignac (33)

Head office and historical base of Dronexperts, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine: Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Limoges, Pau, Bayonne.

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Is your site far from all five centres? That is not a problem: our bases are starting points, not a service perimeter. We organise travel for the team and the equipment anywhere in France, and across Europe for specific missions, on quotation.

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