A housing provider has deployed drones to survey 969 residential blocks over a four-month period. Stonewater carried out the inspections on blocks more than five years old in collaboration with Vantage UAV, an aerial inspection specialist.
The drones were equipped with high-resolution cameras and thermal imaging technology to inspect roofs. This method avoided the need for traditional access equipment like scaffolding.
The surveys identified various issues, including missing and broken roof tiles, guttering defects, and vegetation growth. This allows Stonewater to prioritise repairs across its properties.
Robert Panou, director of asset strategy, homes at Stonewater, stated that the surveys provided detailed insight into the condition of nearly a thousand blocks. He added that this allows for earlier identification of issues compared to traditional methods, enabling more effective maintenance planning and minimising disruption for customers.