Ecclesiastical Buildings Roof Drone Surveys

Church roofs can be very complex structures , with valleys and parapets which are impossible to view from the ground. Inaccessibility of these roofs often poses the greatest problem to keeping them in good order. Undetected damage can lead very quickly to water ingress, damp, rot and infestation. Vertex Heritages aerial drone surveying division offers the safest and most cost effective method of ensuring that roof damage is identified early, before major works are required.

Vertex Heritages clients have found that by undertaking high level church roof surveys as a part of general church maintenance, have yielded significant cost savings in the tens of thousands of pounds.

Utilising state of the art drone technology and high resolution camera equipment, our highly experienced pilots undertake a detailed, close up inspection of the roof surfaces, rainwater goods and other high level elements.

The Vertex Heritage team includes NVQ Level 2 Heritage Roofers, MSc Conservation building surveyors, stonemasons, steeplejacks, lightning conductor specialists, ITC Level 3 Thermographers, IRATA working at height specialists and CAA approved drone pilots. This combined knowledge represents 100 years plus experience of working at height in conservation.

Buildings constructed in traditional methods have been built to last generations and an active, planned maintenance plan begins with accurate reporting. This identifies the specific items that form a targeted Phase Plan of conservation, helping manage budgets in the immediate, medium and long term. Working with our sister companies, Vertex offers a complete turn key service from survey to completed remedial works, which is essential to manage the constricted maintenance budgets that places of worship often face.

Wind, storm damage and the increasing number of extreme weather events is adding a greater burden on the fabric of the nations historical places of worship. Following storm damage, Vertex Heritage provide rapid assessments and reporting of damage to the roof surface, threats of falling objects to public, lightning strike damage and what immediate preventative measures are necessary to protect the internal fabric from water ingress.

Vertex Air, Vertex Heritages drone surveying division, hold Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO) from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and are fully insured to undertake ecclesiastical surveys.

The pinnacle of most places of worship is its spire. The fabulous structures are notoriously difficult to inspect and access, but contain vital key elements of the church building structure. Most notable is the crowning weather-vane, often gilded with gold leaf, sitting more than 15 meters from the lantern of belfry, making this element extremely difficult to survey. This spire and weather-vane not only is the most exposed to the elements, but also is the focal point for lightning strikes, making it essential that the spire and its components are structurally stable.

Vertex Heritage church roof inspection typically identifies faults such as:

• Gargoyle weather erosion assessment

• Blocked gutters

• Blown down pipes

• Slipped slates

• Spalled masonry

• Missing slates

• Pest control requirements

• Lead defects

• Lightning conductor condition inspection

• Vegetation growth

• Retention release survey

To browse the full range of our services, click here or to discuss your rope access building survey or inspection requirements, LiveChat below, email us on info@vertexaccess.co.uk or call 01709 379 453