LEEDS DRONE ROOF IMAGING

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CASE STUDY

HOW DRONE IMAGING IDENTIFIED A HIDDEN CHIMNEY FAULT AFTER MONTHS OF MISDIAGNOSIS

Background

For several months, this North Leeds homeowner had been dealing with:

A damp patch forming on the internal wall at the end of the house
Drops of water running across a beam in the top attic bedroom during heavy rain
Repeated, unexplained water ingress with no clear cause

Despite calling out several roofers, nobody was able to identify the source. Each visit resulted in a different guess:

One roofer recommended repointing the gable end
Another suggested a defective tile
Others simply couldn’t see any obvious issue

The client spent money on work that didn’t solve the problem and was no closer to a diagnosis.

They booked Leeds Roof Imaging to get an objective, high-resolution overview of the entire roof.

Objectives

Document the entire roof from multiple angles
Identify the true source of water ingress
Provide actionable evidence so the homeowner could finally instruct the correct repair
Avoid further unnecessary spending

Process

Appointment booked within 48 hours
Full roof survey completed in under 30 minutes
Over 100 high-resolution images captured, including detailed close-ups of tiles, flashings, ridge line, and chimney stack
Same-day delivery of imagery

Findings

The drone imagery immediately revealed what none of the roofers had been able to see from ground level or ladders:

Severely cracked and loose flaunching around the chimney breast

The flaunching had deteriorated to the point where rainwater was caught and running directly into the chimney.
Cracks and separation in multiple areas allowed water to enter in significant quantities, explaining the heavy dripping seen on the attic beam.
The issue was completely invisible without an elevated view.
No amount of repointing or tile replacement would ever have solved this.

The problem was structural failure of the chimney flaunching — something a drone could clearly capture from all sides.

Outcome for the Client

After months of guesswork and wasted spend, the homeowner finally had a precise, definitive cause.
Roofers were able to quote accurately for the correct repair using the images alone.
The homeowner avoided further trial-and-error repairs and unnecessary costs.
The damp patch and attic dripping were traced back to one clear issue, not multiple suspected ones.

From booking to solution: 2 days.

Why This Case Matters

It highlights the core value of drone roof imaging:

Some faults simply cannot be seen from the ground or a ladder.
Without the right angle, expensive guesswork is inevitable.
Drone photography gives homeowners evidence, not estimates.
Clear imagery stops the cycle of misdiagnosis and wasted money.

This job is a textbook example of how a simple, fast drone inspection can succeed where multiple site visits, tradespeople, and repairs had all failed.

Client Feedback

“We’d had three different roofers out and no one could tell us where the water was getting in. We’d already paid for repointing that made no difference. Leeds Roof Imaging spotted the problem straight away - the photos made it obvious. We finally know what needs fixing.”

Key Metrics

Images delivered: 113
Flight time: 17 minutes
Delivery: Same day
Issue identified: Failed chimney flaunching
Money saved by avoiding further misdiagnosis: Significant

Aerial drone photograph showing the full roof of a North Leeds end-terrace property, captured to identify sources of water ingress.

Full Set of Delivered Images

REMOVE THE GUESSWORK FROM YOUR ROOF ISSUES

If you’re experiencing damp, leaks, unexplained water ingress, or simply need a clear view of your roof before committing to costly repairs, Leeds Roof Imaging provides fast, affordable, evidence-driven drone imagery across Leeds and surrounding areas.

BOOK NOW FOR £99

DISCLAIMER: Leeds Roof Imaging provides photographic roof imagery only. We do not offer roofing advice, inspections, surveys, reports, or any form of structural assessment. All findings should be reviewed by a qualified roofing professional before any repair decisions are made.

'Leeds Drone Roof Imaging', 'Northpoint Roof Imaging', 'Leeds Roof Imaging' are trading names of Northpoint360 Property Marketing Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales. All drone operations are conducted by CAA-approved and insured operators under Northpoint360’s commercial authorisation.

Company No. 15548375 | VAT Registration Number: GB 481 6502 88
Brookfield Court, Selby Road, Garforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, LS25 1NB