Drone Roof Cleaning at Gallagher, Pukekohe: Safe, Efficient & Proven Results

When it comes to maintaining large commercial roofs, safety, access, and efficiency are critical, especially when asbestos is involved.

That is why the recent project at Gallagher in Pukekohe is a strong example of how drone technology is transforming roof maintenance.

The Challenge: A Large-Scale Asbestos Roof

The Gallagher site features a massive asbestos roof, the kind that can present real challenges for traditional cleaning methods.

Asbestos roofs can only be accessed with the utmost care. Foot traffic can damage the roof surface and create contamination risks, which means strict access controls are essential and can carry significant cost implications.

On top of that, the sheer size of the roof makes manual work slow, complex, and expensive.

Our Approach: A Smarter Way with Drone Technology

Instead of putting workers at risk or relying on costly access solutions, we used our tethered drone system to carry out the second stage of a moss and lichen treatment programme.

The initial treatment was completed a year earlier and allowed the moss and lichen to break down naturally over time without damage to the substrate. This second-stage application completed the process and brought the roof back to a clean, well-maintained condition.

Why a Tethered Drone?

This is exactly the type of project our drone system is built for:

• No need to physically access the roof.
• Eliminates risk for workers.
• Ideal for asbestos roof surfaces.
• Efficient coverage across large areas.
• Reduced disruption on-site.

The tethered setup also allows for longer operating time and more consistent performance across a large surface area, making it especially effective on complex commercial roofs.

The Results: A Visible Transformation

After a year between treatments, the results spoke for themselves.

The roof showed a dramatic improvement, with moss and lichen effectively treated and the overall surface restored to a much cleaner condition.

It is a strong example of how a planned, staged approach combined with the right technology can deliver long-term results without unnecessary risk.

Built for Jobs Like This

Projects like Gallagher highlight exactly where drone roof cleaning comes into its own.

Large, hard-to-access, and high-risk roofs are no longer the limitation they once were. With the right process and the right technology, they can be maintained safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.

If you would like to discuss whether drone roof treatment is right for your site, contact Edwards & Hardy.