Accessing Hard-to-Reach Areas for Safe and Accurate Inspections
Our abseil survey services provide a safe and efficient method for inspecting high-rise residential buildings (HRBs) where conventional access is limited. By combining specialist rope access techniques with expert technical assessment, we identify defects, carry out concrete testing, and deliver detailed measured surveys and drawings, helping landlords and housing providers maintain safe, compliant, and well-maintained buildings.
Abseil surveys are particularly valuable for external inspections of façades, cladding, balconies, and other hard-to-reach areas that are critical for building safety and maintenance planning.
What Is an Abseil Survey?
An abseil survey is a specialist inspection method using rope access techniques to reach parts of a building that are otherwise inaccessible. Our experienced surveyors can safely assess the exterior of high-rise blocks, carrying out:
- Visual inspections to identify cracks, spalling, corrosion, or façade defects
- Concrete testing to assess strength, durability, and potential deterioration
- Measured surveys and technical drawings for asset management, refurbishment, or remedial planning
- Assessment of balconies, cladding, external wall systems, and other vertical surfaces
By using abseil surveys, landlords can obtain accurate, high-quality data without the cost, disruption, or complexity of scaffolding or other access methods.
Why Abseil Surveys Matter
High-rise buildings are exposed to environmental stress and wear, making external defects difficult to detect. Abseil surveys help landlords and housing providers to:
- Identify structural, cladding, and façade defects early
- Conduct concrete testing to evaluate material performance and durability
- Produce measured drawings and surveys for maintenance, refurbishment, or remedial works
- Reduce risk to residents and protect the building’s long-term integrity
- Support Building Safety Case submissions and regulatory compliance
These surveys provide essential evidence to plan repairs, refurbishment, or fire defect remediation efficiently and safely.
Our Abseil Survey Approach
We follow a structured, safety-focused methodology:
- Pre-Survey Assessment – review of building plans, access requirements, and risk management.
- Rope Access Inspection – safe abseil access to all external façades, balconies, and critical high-rise components.
- Defect Identification – recording cracks, spalling, corrosion, or other visible defects.
- Concrete Testing & Sampling – non-destructive testing or sample collection to assess material integrity.
- Measured Surveys & Drawings – creation of detailed technical drawings and surveys for asset management or remedial works.
- Reporting – evidence-based reports with photographs, diagrams, recommendations, and prioritised actions.
Our approach ensures surveys are safe, efficient, and fully auditable, providing actionable information for maintenance, refurbishment, or regulatory compliance.
Deliverables
Clients receive:
- Detailed survey reports documenting defects, testing results, and measured surveys
- Photographic and diagrammatic evidence of critical areas
- Recommendations for repairs, remediation, or further investigation
- Accurate drawings and technical plans for refurbishment or maintenance works
- Supporting evidence for Building Safety Case submissions, regulatory compliance, or asset management
Reports are clear, actionable, and suitable for technical teams, boards, and regulators.
Why Choose Us?
We have extensive experience conducting abseil surveys on high-rise residential buildings, combining rope access expertise, structural knowledge, and practical insight.
Our surveys help councils, housing associations, and private landlords identify defects, assess material performance, and plan remedial or refurbishment works safely and efficiently, protecting residents and the building’s long-term value.