Drone Flight
Commercial Roof
Building & Roof Inspections
I went to a local event in Edmonton this week hosted by the Alberta Building Envelope Council North, and the topic was something most people don’t think about until it becomes a problem:
Bugs, critters, and creatures… and what they’re doing to our buildings.
At first, it sounds like a light topic. It wasn’t.
It’s Not the Big Problems That Get You
The discussions quickly turned into real-world examples. Things people in the room had actually seen on buildings they manage, inspect, or work on.
We’re talking about:
- Ants getting into wall systems
- Ladybugs filling small cavities
- Wasps building inside tiny openings
- Woodpeckers creating entry points where there weren’t any before
- Squirrels and raccoons getting into roof and wall spaces
And of course… pigeons.
Always pigeons.
One Example That Stuck With Me
There was a story about a high-rise building in Edmonton with a decorative architectural feature.
Looked great from the ground.
But up close? That’s where the problem started.
Pigeons had been sitting on it for years. Their droppings (highly corrosive) slowly wore through the protective metal. Once that layer was compromised, it didn’t take long before moisture and further damage set in. Lbs. and Lbs. of the Pigeon feces.
What started as something small and barely noticeable turned into:
- Structural concerns
- Safety issues
- A much larger repair bill than anyone wanted or even considered
The key point?
No one saw it early enough.
You Can’t Prevent Everything
There was a lot of talk about design, materials, and prevention and all of that matters.
But the honest takeaway was this:
You can’t plan for everything.
Weather changes.
Materials age.
Animals adapt.
And sometimes things just happen.
So the conversation shifted from “how do we prevent it all?” to:
👉 “How do we catch it before it gets expensive?”
The Real Challenge With Inspections
Most building owners and property managers understand the importance of inspections.
The problem is how they’re done.
Traditional methods often mean:
- Lifts or scaffolding
- Coordinating access
- Higher costs
- More time
So inspections get pushed. And small issues sit there… getting worse.
A Better Way to Get Eyes on It
This is where I see things changing.
With drone inspections, we’re able to get a clear look at roofs, façades, and hard-to-reach areas without the usual cost and complexity.
It’s faster, safer, and a lot more practical to do on a regular basis.
Just recently, I was brought in to scan a condominium building after a stretch of high winds. The goal wasn’t to fix anything yet, it was simply to answer the question:
“Do we have a problem?”
That kind of visibility matters.
Because if there is an issue, it’s always better to deal with it early. Or at least have the information to make decisions early and stay aware.
Small Issues Don’t Stay Small
If there’s one thing that came out of that event, it’s this:
Most major building problems didn’t start that way.
They started small.
Hidden.
Easy to miss.
And over time, they turned into something much more expensive than they needed to be.
Final Thought
Whether it’s birds, bugs, weather, or just time doing its thing… buildings are constantly being tested.
You don’t need to catch everything.
But you do need to catch things early.
Because the difference between a minor repair and a major project is usually just one thing:
👉 When you found it.
If you’re responsible for a building and haven’t taken a close look in a while, it might be worth it. Chances are you might have said to yourself at some point "I wonder what's going on up there?" Sometimes our instincts are there for a reason and often are on point.
A quick inspection today can save a much bigger conversation later.
Feel free to reach out to start the conversation.
Special thanks to Reimagine for hosting the event and the Tacos were a delight.
