High level surveys are important and need to be carried out on a regular basis, particularly if you have a city centre property.

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A visual inspection from the ground can be a good start, but sometimes you need more detail. There are various options available such as the use of drones or steeplejacks but the opportunity of getting up close and handling the materials yourself is a big advantage. This is where a cherry picker is ideal.

This lead ridge looks fine from the ground, even close up, from a few metres away it looks OK, but when you put your hand on it, and it is immediately clear that it is loose. The timber beneath the lead is rotten and it is flapping about with very little holding it in place.

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Even if you are getting in professionals for your survey, there are a few things to bear in mind.

• Make sure you get a cherry picker that is big enough to reach all of the areas that you need to access. The biggest fabric problems are always likely to be in the least accessible spaces. If you are going to do this, you might as well do it properly.
• Is there space for a cherry picker, not only to get in position for each area you need to access, but also to turn and extend? The machines are bigger than you think. The ground needs to be stable, ideally a road or driveway.
• The area also needs to be secured. If you are working anywhere that there might be members of the public, you will need to protect them from themselves. It is surprising how blinkered people can be, completely unaware of the dangers around them. If you are using machinery, it is your responsibility to keep the public safe.
• If you are working from the public road, you will need to get permission from the council.
• Finally, you need to think about the weather, wind can be an issue. While it may seem like a gentle breeze at ground level, when you are 70 feet up in the air, at roof level, it can be quite different. Particularly if the surrounding buildings are funnelling the wind.

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MAAC studio are accredited conservation architects and principal designers working with traditional buildings throughout Scotland. 

If you need independent advice give us a call ?