I’m a little skeptical about drones, though. They’re cool for a quick scan, but like you said, they miss the small stuff.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually seen drone inspections catch things that would’ve been missed from the ground—especially on big flat roofs where access is tricky. They’re not perfect, but paired with a hands-on check, they can save a lot of time. As for those moisture sensors, I’ve installed a few. They’re helpful for early warnings, but you’re right, they can be finicky and sometimes give false alarms if not calibrated right. Still, for high-value areas (like over server rooms), I’d rather have a false positive than miss a slow leak.
I’ve had mixed results with drones, honestly. On one hand, they’re great for getting a bird’s-eye view of spots I’d never reach safely—especially after a windstorm when you want to check for loose flashing or pooling water. But I still find myself crawling up there at least once a year for a closer look, just because the little stuff (like cracked sealant around vents) doesn’t always show up in drone footage. Out of curiosity, has anyone tried combining thermal imaging with drone scans? Wondering if that actually helps spot hidden leaks or if it’s just another gadget to fuss with...
Thermal imaging with drones is handy, but it’s not the magic bullet some folks hope for. It’ll spot moisture under membranes or insulation, sure, but only if there’s a decent temp difference. On a cloudy day or after rain? Kinda hit or miss. I still trust my boots and a flashlight for the nitty-gritty stuff—nothing like getting up close and personal with a leaky vent to keep you humble.
Funny thing, I tried a thermal drone scan last fall after a storm, hoping for some high-tech insight. Turns out, the readings were all over the place—too much moisture in the air, not enough temp difference, just like you said. Ended up crawling around the attic myself with a flashlight and found a cracked vent boot the old-fashioned way. High-tech is great when it works, but those hands-on checks still catch things gadgets miss. You’re right—sometimes you just can’t beat getting your hands dirty.
That’s pretty much how it goes—sometimes the gadgets just can’t compete with a flashlight and a bit of elbow grease. I’ve seen those thermal scans work wonders in dry, cool weather, but after a rain or when humidity’s up, the readings get so fuzzy it’s almost not worth it. I still end up poking around myself, especially in older buildings where you never know what you’ll find tucked behind insulation or under old decking.
I’m curious—how often do you actually get up there for a hands-on check? Where I’m at (Midwest), we try to do a walk-through every spring and fall, plus after any big storm. It’s not always fun, but catching something like a cracked vent boot early saves a ton of hassle later. Sometimes I wonder if folks with flat roofs or different climates have to check more often, or if they rely more on tech because access is tougher.
Anyone ever found something major during a routine check that the fancy tools missed? I’ve pulled out handfuls of wet insulation before that didn’t show up on any scan... kind of makes you second-guess relying on just one method.