The property is a 6-story Victorian Villa split into 21 apartments. An upper floor apartment reported damp and unusual water flow during heavy rain striking their window. The area concerned was over the main entrance and at the height of around 55 feet above the ground at the front of the property
Within 24 hours of the report, we used a drone to video the entire area vertically from above the conservatory to the upper roof following the suspected downpipe and areas of the roof and guttering that might be the source of the issue. The video inspection was backed up with still images of key areas and then sent to the property management company (see result) the same day, saving delay in arranging a cherry picker or scaffolding.
The drone identified the main cause to be a slate that had turned 90 degrees and had then slipped blocking a gutter and that although not visible from below was dangerous and could fall at any time. Further problems were revealed adjacent to the area of the initial report where other slates hidden from below had also slipped and were causing a real risk of damage or serious injury.
The findings were emailed to the Landlord's agent immediately so action to make the area safe could be taken.