How often do you actually get your business roof checked?

Drones are cool for a quick look, but they’re no substitute for someone actually poking around up there.

I’m with you on that. We use drones after storms, mainly to check for obvious stuff like missing shingles or debris, but I still schedule a hands-on inspection every spring. There’s just no way a drone catches things like soft spots or minor flashing issues. It’s a balance - drones save time, but I wouldn’t trust them alone, especially with flat roofs where ponding isn’t always obvious in photos.

I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, drones have saved me a ton of headaches on our bigger buildings. I used to climb up there after every storm, but some spots are just not safe or easy to reach. We started doing drone flyovers every couple months, and it’s caught stuff I would’ve missed - like blocked drains on flat roofs. I still bring someone up for anything weird the drone spots, but it’s cut down on unnecessary climbs and surprises. For me, it’s about working smarter, not harder... though yeah, nothing beats poking around in person when you can.

I can see how drones make things easier, especially for bigger or more complicated roofs. But I’ve actually found that camera angles sometimes miss subtle issues - like tiny splits in membrane seams or early-stage blistering on flat roofs. I guess it depends on your climate and roof type too. Here in the Midwest, freeze-thaw cycles wreak havoc, and I’ve caught stuff during in-person checks that a drone just wouldn’t pick up. Drones are great for spotting debris or big damage, but I’m still a bit old-school about getting up there myself when I can... maybe I’m too paranoid about hidden leaks.

- I get what you’re saying about drones missing the small stuff, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience a couple times.
- My roof’s got a pretty steep pitch and I’m not super comfortable climbing up there, especially in winter.
- Used a drone last fall and it caught a couple spots where shingles were curling up - stuff I probably wouldn’t have noticed from up close because of the angle.
- I do wonder if it depends on the camera quality or maybe just the lighting when you fly it?
- Midwest weather is brutal, no doubt. But for me, the drone’s been a good “first pass” before I decide if it’s worth risking the ladder.
- I still poke around the attic for leaks after big storms, just in case.
- Not saying drones are perfect, but for folks who can’t (or don’t want to) get up there, they’re a decent tool.
- Maybe it’s just about using both - drone for the overview, hands-on for the details?

I get the appeal of drones, especially for steep roofs or icy conditions. But I’ve actually had a couple times where the drone missed some cracked flashing around the vents - stuff I only caught when I was up there clearing gutters. Maybe it’s just my old camera, or maybe certain angles just don’t show up well in photos. Drones are handy, but I still trust my own eyes more for those weird little details, even if it means climbing up there once in a while.