The owner of septic installation and service company Full Circle Environmental in Clayton, North Carolina, has always had a fascination for the newest tools that the industry has to offer. So it’s no surprise that Zach Woody likes to pack a camera-equipped drone inside his construction vehicles to assist him on the job.
He purchased the drone, a DJI Mavic Pro, in 2021. The rechargeable unit folds away neatly and is operated with a pocket-sized controller. The unit weighs in at under 2 pounds, offers a range of more than 4 miles, operates for a little under a half hour on a single charge, and offers downloadable high-resolution photos and video footage.
Woody uses the drone to map out project sites, allowing him to provide a more accurate quote for potential clients. When flying just above rooftop level, the aerial view also allows him to better explain to customers where the onsite system will be located and why those installations may be limited by requirements for clearance from buildings, property lines, fences and other utility infrastructure.
“We can also use the drone to measure site elevations,” Woody says. “That helps us to calculate the head pressure required for the system and then to appropriately size the pumps for the length of pipe that we need for the project.”
Woody has also used the drone to capture aerial images during construction — after laying out the septic system, but before backfilling the pipes and other system features.
“After project completion we present the homeowner with an aerial photo so that they can see the drainlines and the location of every aspect of their system in relation to their home, garage, sheds, fences and property line, prior to backfill,” he says. “That provides them with a record in case they’re considering any further construction on their property or if they need to locate any pipes or system components in the future.”
Woody has also employed the drone to capture some impressive aerial footage used on the Full Circle Environmental website to demonstrate the scope of the company’s work.
“The cost of drones continues to go down, even as they become more sophisticated,” he says. “It’s certainly a tool for onsite installers to think about. In our case, it was a good investment, considering its many uses.”
For more about Full Circle Environmental, read the full profile in the October issue of Onsite Installer.
