Above and beyond: Drones cleaning up

When we started, people thought we were a toy. Now they understand that we’re a tool. Warrick Funnell

A Whanganui company is changing the way commercial building owners clean their roofs, using drone technology to cut out the need for scaffolding and labour-intensive work.

Agdrone was cleaning the roof of the Brick House Restaurant on Thursday morning, with two drones in the air dropping cleaning chemicals on the roof tiling below.

The business has been operating for around two years, specialising in both agricultural spraying and roof cleaning for large buildings.

Warrick Funnell said he had contracts with four forestry companies, as well as four regional councils, and travels as far north as Auckland to fulfil contracts.

The company owns three drones, ranging in value between $30,000-$50,000, the heaviest of which weighs 48 kilograms.

“We’re treated the same as any commercial aircraft, and our qualifications are similar. It’s serious work.”

The agricultural spraying side of the business is also successful, flying in areas too tight for helicopters or even larger drones.

“When we do that, we have to fly through mature trees. So you don’t want too big a wingspan for that — [the 48kg drone] is like a 10 tonne truck flying amongst trees.”

According to Funnell, there were only eight companies in the country specialising in the using professional drones for aerial roof cleaning.

“We get work in Wellington, Auckland and Whanga¯ rei. There’s demand for it all over the country.

“When we started, people thought we were a toy. Now they understand that we’re a tool.”