It’s important to learn how to do roof inspections with a drone in compliance with unmanned aerial vehicle regulations. In Georgia, there are strict guidelines for operating UAV, regardless of the size of your drone. No one can simply take one out of the box and put it to work.
Using a drone for business purposes – whether you make a movie or inspect your property’s roof – requires a Remote Pilot Certificate. Even hobbyists must register with the FFA and follow federal policies. It’s no wonder operators sometimes wind up in hot water.
Using a Drone to Inspect Your Roof
The legalities of using a drone for roof inspection change depending on whether you live in the home you’re inspecting.
- Landlords, realtors, assessors, roofing contractors and similar professionals would need to adhere to the rules for commercial use.
- FFA Part 107 Small UAS Rule pertains to the requirements for using drones and other unmanned aircraft during the course of business activities.
Commercial drone pilots must get their Remote Pilot Certificate. This certificate requires passing the 2-hour FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test made of 60 questions spanning 12 core subjects.
Homeowners and friends of homeowners who are doing a favor by using the drone for roof inspection need to adhere to the FAA Rules for Model Aircraft. They also have to register their drones with the FAA.
In addition, Georgia Code HB 481 allows state and local government to regular launch and landing on public property. And, several municipalities – including Conyers, Augusta and Cherokee County – have their own laws on the books.
What Are the Chances You’ll Get Caught?
Unfortunately, people have used drones to commit serious crimes in Georgia, causing cities to disallow their use and law enforcement to crack down on violations. Even when considering one of their own.
In 2015, the city of Valdosta, GA, fired and charged a police officer for using a drone to spy on his neighbor. There have been numerous arrests for peeping in bedroom windows, destruction of property due to mishandling, harassing people with drone and flying too close to first-responders. Prisons have struggled to contain drone security in Georgia as well. In 2017, a 15-man crime ring used drones to smuggle contraband in and out of Calhoun State Prison.
One of the biggest problems law enforcement faces when it comes to drone-related crimes is identifying pilots. It’s taken seriously when people don’t register their aircraft or get the proper certification. It doesn’t make it likelier police will catch you, but it does make it more likely that you’ll deal with a harsh punishment.
For practical reasons, people without a need or desire for regular drone use, often hire the job out to a professional so they don’t have to worry about the details.
Proper Drone Handling for Roofing Inspections
Whether you can legally operate a drone is different entirely from whether you have the skills and know-how. As mentioned, drones and property damage go hand-in-hand. Inexperienced pilots have a habit of sending UAVs through windows and into the sides of buildings. During the Pride Parade 2015, a drone ran into a building in Seattle and fell into the crowd, causing serious injuries.
Every time you use a drone, you must consider the liabilities. Do you have the insurance coverage you need to complete a roofing inspection with your drone? Do you know how to handle it well enough to get the footage you need to assess the stability of your roofing materials?
The Benefits of Drone-Assisted Roof Inspections
There are so many issues to drone roof inspections; you might wonder why they’re an option at all. Since beginning to offer the service, at Hopewell Roofing and Restoration, we’ve found:
- Drone mapping technology makes for incredibly accurate measurements
- Remote inspections reduce rooftop falls for roofers and homeowners
- Drones deliver a wealth of data above and beyond a human inspection
Mapping tools can measure the size, shape and pitch of a roof, and then some. It takes high-definition images of the entire surface in relation to the rest of your property. This information is useful in determining the safety of your home’s roof, but it’s useful whenever you’re considering home renovations, solar installations, landscaping or construction.
Of course, the safety factor is one of the most attractive benefits. Rooftop falls account for the majority of deaths in the construction industry and a good chunk of fatal home accidents. Anything you can do to cut down on your time in the danger zone is well worth the investment.
Choose Safety and Experience from Hopewell
You just have to know how to do roof inspections with a drone without getting arrested! Let our team at Hopewell Roofing and Restoration show you the way. Contact us today to schedule your effective, safe and legal drone property inspections today.
