What drone services does CAV Aerial offer?

CAV Aerial provides drone roof inspections, thermal imaging, 3D models, and campaign video production. All flights are insured and GVC-certified.

Who are your typical clients?

We work with architects, conservation officers, builders, councils, heritage trusts, church wardens, and private homeowners across the UK.

Are your services suitable for churches and listed buildings?

Yes, we specialise in drone documentation for sensitive sites, including listed buildings and churches. We're registered with the National Churches Trust network.

Roof & Heritage Drone Surveys

London buildings span centuries, and many design defects come from poor extensions, overlapping systems, or old detailing that has never been updated. A drone survey captures these defects quickly and safely without scaffolding.

The Most Common Roofing Design Defects in London

A. Poorly Designed Flat-to-Pitched Junctions

Especially where 1930s pitched roofs meet newer extensions.

Common issues:

– Water pooling where no fall exists
– Failed upstands
– Tiles discharging onto flat roofs without proper drip details
– Cracking around junctions

Drone advantage: can see the exact water pathways and pooling.

Oversized or Improperly Installed Skylights

Very common on Victorian loft conversions.

Problems include:

– Skylights installed too close to valleys
– Flashings cut short
– Temporary tape repairs
– Undersized upstands

Drone advantage: identifies flashing failures and sealant deterioration.

C. Valley Design Errors (Especially on Mansard Conversions)

On London terraces, internal valleys are prone to:

– Poor lead detailing
– Blockage from leaves and moss
– Cheap replacement with non-lead materials
– Water tracking behind tiles

Drone advantage: allows clean inspection without stepping on fragile materials.

D. Incorrect Gutter Falls and Blocked Hidden Gutters

London parapet houses get this constantly.

Issues include:

– Water pooling behind parapets
– No proper fall direction
– Debris build-up
– Saturated brickwork and internal damp

Drone advantage: high-angle imagery shows fall direction clearly.

E. Dormer Design Defects

On 80% of London loft conversions you see:

– Weak side flashings
– Exposed OSB edges
– Poor junction between flat dormer roof and pitched main roof
– Lack of drip edges

Drone advantage: the drone can capture angles impossible from ground level.

F. Cheap Re-roofing Over Old Layers

Common in rental properties where cost cutting is done.

Issues:

– Weight load on structure
– Hidden decay
– New covering not tied into existing details
– Ridge and hip mortar cracking

Drone advantage: images instantly reveal inconsistencies across materials.