Haha, I feel you on the drone anxiety—I borrowed my friend's DJI once and spent the whole time convinced I'd send it straight into a tree. Props for sticking to what works for you though. Those rechargeable LEDs are no joke; I've got a similar one and it's saved me more times than I can count. Honestly, whatever keeps you safely planted on the ground is a solid win in my book... drones are cool, but nothing beats peace of mind.
Haha, drones definitely have their moments, but I've seen enough "drone meets tree" incidents to know they're not always the right tool for the job. I once had a tenant who insisted on doing his own roof check with a drone—let's just say it ended with me fishing pieces out of the gutter and him sheepishly offering to cover repairs. Those rechargeable LEDs, though, are seriously underrated. I've got one mounted on a telescopic pole setup; it's a bit DIY-looking, but it gets the job done without me risking life and limb climbing ladders in the dark.
Speaking of gear setups, has anyone experimented with thermal imaging cameras for roof inspections? I've been curious about them for spotting hidden leaks or insulation issues, but I'm not sure if they're worth the investment for smaller properties...
I've thought about thermal imaging too, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. From what I've heard, they're pretty good at spotting insulation gaps or moisture pockets, especially if you're dealing with flat roofs or tricky leak situations. Had a colleague who swears by his thermal camera—he caught a hidden leak in a client's attic that would've gone unnoticed otherwise. But honestly, unless you're regularly inspecting multiple properties or dealing with complicated issues, it might be overkill for smaller jobs.
For smaller properties, I usually stick to the basics: visual checks from the ground with binoculars (underrated tool), ladder inspections during daylight hours when necessary, and moisture meters for suspected problem areas. I've also seen some smartphone thermal attachments lately—cheaper than standalone cameras but not sure how reliable they are. Anyone tried those out? Curious if they're any good or just gimmicky...
- Tried a smartphone thermal attachment last year—surprisingly decent for quick checks.
- Not as detailed as pro gear, but caught a hidden insulation gap I missed visually.
- Worth it if you're not inspecting daily...just don't expect miracles.
"Not as detailed as pro gear, but caught a hidden insulation gap I missed visually."
Interesting you mention that—I had a similar experience with one of those smartphone thermal attachments. It definitely won't replace professional-grade equipment, but for quick spot checks, it's surprisingly handy. Last winter, it helped me pinpoint a small leak around a skylight that wasn't obvious visually. Saved me from potential water damage down the line.
I'm curious though, has anyone tried using drones with thermal imaging for roof inspections? I've heard mixed things about their accuracy and ease of use, especially in residential settings. Seems like it could be useful for larger properties or multi-story buildings where access is tricky...but maybe overkill for smaller homes?
