Cover Story
Continued from p33
“ The high-res data can be viewed securely online, which gives a level of clarity that traditional methods simply can’ t match. This means that wider team members can view or revisit the imagery whenever needed – whether that’ s to support retrofit projects, compare changes over time, or plan future maintenance.”
The ability to revisit the captured imagery could allow teams to use the survey information beyond the initial assessment, including when considering future maintenance requirements or changes to the condition of a building.
Drone inspections reduce need for work at height
One of the key differences between the drone surveys and conventional roof inspections is the reduced requirement for initial physical access to roofs.
Traditional inspections can require surveyors to work at height or the use of access equipment. The drone surveys can instead capture imagery from the air, including on roofs that may be difficult to reach because of their location or configuration.
The approach is also intended to reduce disruption for residents because the drones can inspect roofs without requiring access to customers’ homes.
The technology will capture both visual and thermal information in a matter of minutes, providing Stonewater with detailed information on roof condition.
For a housing stock programme covering 960 blocks, this allows inspections to be carried out at scale while reducing the need for physical access arrangements for each individual building.
The drones being used by Vantage UAV are described as lightweight and designed to minimise risk and intrusion for customers.
The company’ s pilots are fully certified by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and hold GVC qualifications, with the surveys carried out under its safety standards.
Roof condition data to inform future work
Stonewater’ s programme is focused on the proactive assessment of roofs across its housing portfolio that are more than five years old.
Rather than waiting for roofing
An example of what drones can see on rooftops
problems to develop into larger defects, the survey programme is intended to provide information that can be used to identify issues earlier.
The data will give Stonewater a broader understanding of the condition of roofs across the 960 blocks and help its teams target maintenance activity.
The approach also provides a record that can be revisited when future work is being planned. Vantage UAV said the imagery can support retrofit projects, maintenance planning and comparisons of building condition over time.
The national roof survey programme forms part of Stonewater’ s wider approach to maintaining its homes and identifying work required across its housing stock.
By combining aerial inspections with high-resolution visual and thermal data, the project will provide a detailed assessment of roofs covering around 7,000 homes while reducing the need for initial work at height and access to residents’ homes.
34 Issue 26 | 2026