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Drone will assess leaks on roof of Washington Capitol

The Legislative Building is illuminated as guests begin to arrive for Washington Gov. Jay Inslee's inaugural ball Jan. 11, 2017, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. A drone will be deployed at the state Capitol within the next few weeks to determine what has led to a series of leaks from the building’s roof. (Ted S. Warren / Associated Press)
Associated Press

OLYMPIA – A drone will be deployed at the state Capitol within the next few weeks to determine what has led to a series of leaks from the building’s roof.

The Department of Enterprise Services, which oversees the buildings of the Capitol campus, said Wednesday that the drone will be deployed either this Saturday or on May 13, depending on weather.

Leaks in four mini domes at the base of the big dome caused damage to components of the building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment in February.

Officials say that using the drone is much safer than sending a worker up ladders or scaffolding. The four mini domes are 120 feet off the ground, and the highest point on the main dome is 287 feet. While the drone will primarily be used to assess the conditions of those four mini domes, it will also scan additional parts of the building.