"Step two: squint suspiciously at shingles. Step three: pretend I know what I'm looking at."
Haha, this is exactly me. Last month I climbed up (with my neighbor nervously holding the ladder) and stared at my roof for a solid 10 minutes before realizing I had no clue what subtle damage even looks like. Drones sound neat, but yeah, I wonder if they'd really catch those tiny leaks or hairline cracks? Seems like you'd still need a trained eye to spot the sneaky stuff...
I totally get what you're saying about drones. They're cool and all, but how much detail can you really see from those aerial shots? I've wondered the same thing myself. Maybe they're good for spotting obvious stuff like missing shingles or big patches of wear, but tiny cracks or subtle leaks? Probably not so much.
Have you thought about using binoculars instead of climbing up there? I started doing that last year after my wife banned me from ladders (long story involving a wobbly rung and a bruised ego...). Anyway, binoculars let me get a pretty clear look from the ground, and I can usually spot curling shingles or weird discolorations that might mean trouble. Sure, it's not as thorough as a pro inspection, but it's way safer than balancing on a ladder and squinting suspiciously at shingles.
Binoculars are definitely a safer bet than ladders—I learned that the hard way myself after a close call a few years back. But honestly, even binoculars have their limits. I once spotted what looked like minor discoloration from the ground, but when I finally got a pro up there, it turned out to be a pretty serious leak underneath. Makes me wonder if thermal imaging cameras might be worth looking into...has anyone here tried those out yet? Curious if they're practical for homeowners or just pricey overkill.
"Makes me wonder if thermal imaging cameras might be worth looking into...has anyone here tried those out yet?"
I've experimented a bit with thermal imaging for home inspections, and they're definitely useful for spotting hidden moisture or insulation issues that binoculars can't catch. But honestly, for the average homeowner, they might be a bit pricey unless you're dealing with recurring problems or have multiple properties. Renting one occasionally could be a practical middle ground. Has anyone considered drone inspections? I've heard they're becoming more affordable and can safely provide detailed roof imagery without climbing ladders.
"Renting one occasionally could be a practical middle ground."
Fair point, but from my experience, rental thermal cams can be hit-or-miss—often outdated or poorly calibrated. Borrowed one last summer and ended up trusting my eyes more. Drones sound intriguing though, might look into that next time.
