"Better to climb up occasionally or get a drone check once a year or so..."
Totally agree with the drone idea—it's saved me from some nasty surprises. I used to rely on binoculars too, thinking I was being smart and budget-friendly, but after missing a leak that cost me way more than a drone inspection would've, I learned my lesson. Honestly, drones aren't even that pricey anymore, especially compared to roof repairs... Plus, it's kinda fun flying them around your house, pretending you're some sort of home-maintenance spy.
I picked up a cheap drone last year just for this reason. Took me a bit to get the hang of flying it (crashed it into my bushes twice, lol), but now it's my go-to for quick roof checks. Definitely beats climbing ladders!
I've thought about getting a drone for roof checks too, but honestly, I'm not sure I'd trust myself not to crash it into something more expensive than bushes, haha. I've been sticking with binoculars from across the street—works okay, but sometimes I can't spot smaller issues clearly. Curious, how detailed can you actually get with a drone camera? Like, can you easily spot cracked shingles or minor flashing problems, or does it just give you a general idea if something's off? I might reconsider my drone hesitation if the image quality is decent enough to catch the small stuff without needing to climb up there myself...
I've seen drone footage that's surprisingly clear—definitely sharp enough to spot cracked shingles or loose flashing. But it depends on the drone's camera quality and your flying skills... maybe practice over grass first? Binoculars are decent, but drones can really pinpoint smaller issues.
Drone footage sounds cool, but honestly, my wallet's not ready for that leap yet. I've been sticking to binoculars and a ladder (with a buddy holding it steady, of course—I'm not THAT adventurous). Step one: climb carefully. Step two: squint suspiciously at shingles. Step three: pretend I know what I'm looking at. Jokes aside, drones seem handy... but how tricky is it to actually spot smaller leaks or subtle damage from above? Seems like some stuff might still slip by.
