Flying high across the city’s rooftops and chimney pots, drones have been used as a creative way to check out the condition of residents’ roofs.
The drones were deployed to scan the city’s skyline on a mission to collect detailed aerial footage to identify broken tiles, blocked gutters and other defects need repairs.
This innovative method has proven highly effective, allowing us to carry out detailed inspections of complex roof types without the need for scaffolding or the risks associated with staff working at height.
The results have been outstanding with many issues being identified and addressed before they could escalate, ensuring the safety of our residents and preventing further damage.
Importantly, we received only positive feedback from tenants who are informed before the drones are launched, highlighting the success of this initiative.
The image to the right shows a broken roof tile and a blocked gutter, both of which were unknown to us.
Cllr Beth Jones, portfolio holder for housing, said: “This innovative use of drone technology demonstrates our commitment to improving services for our residents. By embracing modern methods, we can ensure faster, safer, and more cost-effective repairs, ultimately providing better homes for our residents. We’re excited to expand this project and deliver even greater benefits across our housing stock.”
Following the success of this trial with our contractors Elliston Consultancy Ltd in October 2024 which involved surveying 20 blocks, we plan to roll out the drone survey programme in a new contract to over 130 more blocks, significantly enhancing our stock condition knowledge.
So, if you hear a buzz above your head whilst walking round our tower blocks look up, it could be one of our drones checking your roof for leaks and damage.
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