In ARQUS Check inspections we use a drone with visible and thermal cameras, a FLIR thermal camera, a moisture meter and an endoscopic camera to see what the naked eye cannot, without opening up or drilling anything. The drone shows roofs, flat roofs and high façades that cannot be reached safely; thermal imaging highlights thermal bridges, missing insulation and possible damp, which we confirm with a moisture meter. Our lead inspector is an EASA-certified drone operator, and findings are documented with images in the written report.
This page explains what each tool can show and, just as importantly, where it stops.
Drone roof inspection
What it shows
- Broken, slipped or missing tiles, ridges and verges.
- Chimneys, flashings and roof-to-wall junctions.
- Gutters and downpipes: blockages, deformation, detachment.
- Flat roofs: waterproofing membranes, seams, outlets, ponding water, parapets.
- Solar PV, solar water heaters and rooftop equipment.
- High parts of façades: cracks, detached render, balconies.
- On larger plots: an overall view, slopes, drainage paths, the pool from above, the condition of fencing.
Where it stops
- It cannot see under tiles or inside the roof. The timber structure is only inspected if the loft is accessible from inside.
- It cannot judge waterproofing hidden under finishes such as tiles or gravel.
- We do not fly in strong wind or rain.
- Near airports, military zones, archaeological sites and other restricted zones, a flight may need authorisation or may not be allowed. Drone operations in the EU are governed by Regulation (EU) 2019/947, and the competent authority in Greece is the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority.
When we cannot fly, we inspect the roof from whatever safe vantage points exist and record the limitation in the report.
Thermal imaging
A thermal camera measures the infrared radiation given off by surfaces and turns it into a temperature image. It does not see through walls; it shows temperature differences on the surface, which the inspector interprets.
What it shows
- Thermal bridges at beams, columns, balcony slabs and shutter boxes.
- Missing or damaged insulation in walls, ceilings and roofs.
- Air leakage around windows and service penetrations.
- Possible damp areas, which often show up cooler because of evaporation.
- Pipe routes for underfloor heating and possible leak points in heating circuits.
- Overheating electrical connections in distribution boards, when the circuit is under load.
- Trapped moisture in flat roofs, in the right conditions.
- Hot spots in solar PV panels, from the drone.
Where it stops
- A reliable envelope survey needs a sufficient temperature difference between inside and outside, typically around 10 °C or more. In Northern Greece that is easiest in winter and early in the morning or evening.
- Sun, recent rain and wind distort the picture. Glass, shiny metal and glazed tiles reflect heat and can give misleading readings.
- A cold spot is not necessarily damp, which is why every suspect area is checked with a moisture meter.
- Thermal imaging does not replace an Energy Performance Certificate, does not identify mould as an organism and does not establish the cause of a problem.
Moisture meter and endoscopic camera
The moisture meter takes readings where the thermal camera or visual inspection points: wall bases, around bathrooms, under windows, top-floor ceilings.
The endoscopic camera lets us look through existing openings (suspended ceilings, inspection hatches, cabinets, vents) without opening anything up.
Both reveal indications; they do not replace an intrusive investigation or laboratory analysis, which we do not carry out. For mould, radon, asbestos or air quality we refer you to a specialist laboratory. See the full list of what we don't do.
How it appears in your report
Every significant drone or thermal finding appears in the report with a photo, a thermal image where it helps, a short description of what it shows, a priority rating and an indicative repair-cost estimate. Where conditions limited the survey (wind, sun, too small a temperature difference, a no-fly zone), we say so. The report is delivered within 48–72 hours, co-signed by a civil engineer who is a member of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE).
Where it adds most value
- Villas and detached houses with tiled roofs, flat roofs and pools: see our villa and house inspection.
- Hotels with large roof areas, many balconies and solar installations: see our hotel inspection.
- Top-floor apartments and buildings with roof-terrace problems: see our apartment inspection.
- Stone and older houses, where thermal imaging shows thermal bridges and missing insulation, like the stone villa insulation check in Sithonia shown on our home page.
Next step
- Phone & WhatsApp: +30 698 750 4050
- Email: a4uusa@yahoo.com
- Hours: Monday–Saturday, 09:00–19:00 (Greek time)