Inspection of the roofs and facades of buildings using traditional techniques takes substantial amounts of time to complete and also may require complete shut downs of the surrounding area. Large and expensive machinery may be used as well as dangerous techniques such as putting workers at height. This increases risk to human life as well as increases insurance costs.
Our aerial systems are capable of close visual inspections of building roofs and facades to assist in fast detection of defects such as damaged tiles, brick work, facade cracks window lintel issues. Thermal cameras can also be used to detect leaks in buildings or houses. Geo-referenced images allow for easy reference to the defect area. 3D visualisations can also be created which provides incredible context to the asset and its condition.
Inspection deliverables are tailored to the requirements of each roof or facade inspection. Depending on the level of detail and analysis that is necessary there are different options available.
Our drone bridge inspections are able to detect issues such as corrosion, concrete cancer, carbonation, water penetration, cracks in elements and joints as well as any buckling and bending. It is also possible to inspect underneath the bridge in and around the girders and columns.
This option is useful for roofs and facades with 1 or 2 levels due to it’s two dimensional nature.
A 2D map is created using photogrammetry techniques. This provide a high resolution ‘Google Maps’ style base map for the site.
A series of close high res images are then captured of the roof and/or facades of the building which are configured into inspection management software to allow an easier way to manage the data as opposed to receiving a folder full of images.
These images are overlaid onto the 2D base map (represented by blue dots showing their direction of orientation) and the user is able to move through the images with perspective of where they were taken from. This allows context of knowing precisely where defects are located.
Annotations and reports are able to be created to document defects and areas of interest.
The ultimate tool for asset inspection useful for steep roofs and facades of buildings. Using high end drones and processing technology a high resolution digital twin of the structure can be created.
The assessor is able to navigate around the structure within the software. This is a complete data set of the asset with no gaps in knowledge which may occur using traditional methods of inspection due to limitations.
For even higher detail you can click on a section of the model and bring up the full resolution jpeg images of that area. Measurements can be taken as well as being able to create full defect reports.
Roof Defects
Leaks: Roof leaks are a prevalent issue, often caused by damaged or missing shingles, worn-out flashing, or compromised roofing materials. Leaks can lead to water damage, mold growth, and compromised insulation.
Poor Installation: Incorrectly installed roofing materials or inadequate workmanship can result in various issues, including leaks, poor insulation, and reduced overall durability.
Structural Damage: Over time, exposure to weather conditions and ageing can cause structural damage to the roof, including sagging, warping, or weakening of support structures. Natural weather events can also cause structural issues as a result of hail or fallen trees.
Pooling Water: Inadequate drainage systems or blocked gutters can lead to water pooling on the roof, increasing the risk of leaks and structural damage.
Wind Damage: Strong winds can cause shingle displacement, lifting, or tearing, leading to vulnerabilities and potential leaks.
Pest Infestation: Damaged or deteriorating roofing materials can create entry points for pests, leading to infestations and potential structural damage.
Facade Defects
Cracks: Cracks in the facade can occur due to settlement, thermal expansion and contraction, or structural issues, compromising the building’s integrity and aesthetics.
Water Infiltration: Gaps or cracks in the facade can allow water to infiltrate, leading to internal damage, mold growth, and deterioration of building materials.
Efflorescence: White, powdery deposits on the facade surface (efflorescence) can indicate water penetration and the migration of soluble salts, potentially causing material deterioration.
Staining: Stains on the facade can result from water runoff, air pollution, or the presence of biological growth, negatively impacting the building’s appearance.
Caulking and Sealant Failure: Deterioration of caulking and sealants can compromise the facade’s weatherproofing, allowing water infiltration and reducing energy efficiency.
Material Deterioration: Facade materials may degrade over time due to exposure to UV rays, weather conditions, or pollution, leading to discoloration, fading, or loss of structural integrity.
Improper Ventilation: Inadequate ventilation behind the facade can trap moisture, promoting the growth of mold and accelerating material deterioration.
Addressing these roof and facade defects requires regular inspections, proactive maintenance, and timely repairs. Employing modern inspection techniques, such as drone inspections and advanced imaging technologies, can aid in the early detection of defects and contribute to effective maintenance strategies.
Using new technology to obtain meaningful data more efficiently and comprehensively than ever
Rather than having workers at height and in dangerous positions, we can undertake the operation with zero risk to human life
Due to the lower cost of drone inspections, assets can be inspected more frequently. This leads to catching defects early before they can become a hazard to people
Frequent general aerial inspections on construction sites can spot issues quickly to ensure the safety of people onsite
Often what takes days with traditional methods can take hours with drones using less people to conduct the inspection.
The equipment used is cheaper than traditional methods and therefore cheaper to hire.
Manned inspections are often associated with enormous insurance costs which are greatly reduced.
Potential work cover claims are also reduced to the safety of using drones for inspections.
A drone can be set up within minutes of being on location and easily navigate around the asset.
No need to set up harnesses,ladders or organise a team to cover large areas.
Also no need to shutdown systems resulting in zero service downtime.
Using rope access , EWP’s or scaffolding has its limits. We can position aerial cameras in the ideal position to enable a close visual inspection of your asset.
This gives you a higher quality of data than what would ordinarily be available.
Being able to place drones in these areas so easily without human presence can prevent the need for service interruptions to assets
A full facade inspection of an 8 story apartment building was undertaken with an RPA (drone). A visual inspection showed cracking on the facades in high detail enabling a plan of action of next steps for remedial work.
An internal tank inspection was conducted on a Sydney Water facility using a crash tolerant unmanned aerial vehicle in order to stay in line with the scheduled maintenance plan. The Elios 2 drone was able to effectively light and capture the internal structure with impressive detail in order to provide a condition assessment.
High Exposure was engaged to undertake a significant project to create a high-resolution aerial photogrammetry 3D model for a thorough inspection of brickwork on the
