Aerial Inspections
Commercial Exterior & Façade Inspection
Drone exterior condition surveys of commercial façades, cladding, curtain walls, roofs, parapets and balconies in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Kenora region.
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What is commercial exterior & façade inspections?
A commercial exterior drone inspection is a visual condition survey of accessible building surfaces using aerial photographs and video. ClearHorizon documents visible deterioration on façades, roofing, windows, masonry and exterior equipment for owners, property managers, roofers and consulting engineers. It supports maintenance planning, acquisition due diligence and post-storm documentation; it is not a complete commercial property inspection of interiors, building systems or structural safety.
Commercial exterior inspection types
- Façade, siding & cladding inspection
- Document visible cracks, displaced panels, staining and surface deterioration on metal, composite, stucco and other accessible exterior finishes. Concealed attachments need separate investigation.
- Brick, stone & concrete exterior inspection
- Record visible mortar erosion, cracks, spalling and staining for masonry contractors and engineers. Imagery cannot establish load capacity or concealed wall condition.
- Window, curtain wall & sealant inspection
- Photograph accessible glazing, exterior joints and apparent sealant deterioration. Close-up imagery can flag follow-up areas but does not prove water-tightness or glass safety.
- Commercial roof, flashing & parapet inspection
- Document visible membrane damage, flashing, coping, parapets and roof-edge deterioration. Roofers confirm repair needs and any concealed damage.
- Gutter, drain & downspout inspection
- Capture visible obstructions, ponding, damage and staining at accessible drainage points. Aerial observation is not an internal drain test.
- Balcony, soffit & canopy inspection
- Record visible surface cracking, corrosion and deterioration where a safe viewing angle is available. Undersides and hidden connections may require another access method.
- Rooftop equipment exterior inspection
- Photograph accessible HVAC housings, vents, supports and surrounding flashing. Mechanical operation and electrical safety require the appropriate qualified trade.
- Storm damage & warranty documentation
- Compare available baseline imagery with visible hail, wind or impact damage for owners and adjusters. The insurer determines coverage; contractors assess repairs.
Related building surveys
Benefits
- Upper-storey exterior photo documentation
- Repeatable condition records for comparison
- Evidence for repair and capital planning
- Reduced need for access equipment during image capture
How it works
- [ 01 ]Agree accessible elevations, asset list and required report with the owner or engineer
- [ 02 ]Review airspace, pedestrian separation, access and weather before flight
- [ 03 ]Capture façade and roof imagery; mark visible areas requiring follow-up
- [ 04 ]Deliver the agreed image/report package for contractor or professional review
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Commercial Exterior & Façade Inspections near you
Winnipeg
Manitoba
Saskatchewan
Kenora & NW Ontario
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More aerial inspections services
Drone Home & Roof Inspections
Safe residential roof and exterior inspections for homeowners, buyers and home inspectors.
Flat Roof Inspections
Membrane, seam, drain and ponding inspections for commercial flat roofs.
Insurance & Storm Damage Inspections
Fast, documented hail, wind and storm damage evidence for owners and adjusters.
Tower, Bridge & Stack Inspections
Telecom towers, bridges, flare stacks, grain elevators and smokestacks inspected without climbing.
Powerline & Pipeline Inspections
Pole, line, substation and pipeline right-of-way inspections with thermal hot-spot detection.
Wind Turbine Inspections
Blade and tower inspections with short shutdowns instead of days of rope access.
Confined Space Drone Inspections
Palm-sized drones inspect boilers, tanks, ductwork and bridge undersides without sending a person inside.
Rapid Post-Storm Damage Assessment
Quick, low-profile roof and property damage records right after Winnipeg hail, wind and freeze events.
Frequently asked questions
+What does a commercial exterior inspection cover?
The agreed survey can cover visible façades, cladding, masonry, curtain walls, sealants, roofs, parapets, drainage, balconies and rooftop equipment. Flight access and viewing angles determine what can be documented; the report should identify inaccessible areas.
+Is a drone façade inspection a structural inspection?
No. It supplies visual evidence for a qualified engineer or building-envelope professional. It does not certify structural integrity, code compliance, concealed fixings or the safety of balconies and façades.
+Can thermal imaging check the building envelope and flat roof?
A separately scoped thermal survey can flag surface-temperature anomalies consistent with insulation gaps or possible moisture. Weather, materials and heating conditions affect results. Thermal imagery is not a pressure test, stress test or proof of a leak; a specialist must validate suspected defects.
+How much does a commercial exterior drone inspection cost and how long does it take?
Pricing and timing depend on building height, elevation area, image detail, airspace, travel, access and whether thermal capture or a 3D model is requested. Send the address, elevations and reporting requirements for a scoped quote with an agreed flight window and delivery date.
+Which businesses can use exterior inspection reports?
Office towers, retail plazas, hotels, warehouses, factories, schools, clinics, hospitals and multi-family buildings can use condition records. Property managers, roofers, façade contractors and consulting engineers use imagery to prioritize follow-up work.
+Where are commercial exterior drone inspections available?
ClearHorizon is based in Winnipeg and serves Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Kenora-area communities in northwestern Ontario. Site access, airspace permissions and weather are reviewed for each address.
[ Knowledge base ]
Key terms on this page
- Building Envelope
- The physical barrier between a building's interior and the outdoors: walls, roof, windows, doors and foundation.
- Cladding
- The outer layer of material — metal panels, brick, stone, EIFS, siding — covering a building's structure.
- Condition Survey
- A documented record of the visible condition of a building or asset, often used for capital planning and reserve fund studies.
- Efflorescence
- White mineral deposits on brick or concrete caused by moisture moving through masonry — a sign of water intrusion.
- Façade
- The exterior face of a building. Façade inspections document cracks, spalling, loose cladding and failed sealant.
- Spalling
- Concrete or brick flaking and breaking away, usually from freeze-thaw cycles and trapped moisture.
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