Makes sense, but I wonder if relying too much on drones could make us complacent...like skipping proper ladder checks or missing subtle signs of damage. Tech's helpful, but gotta stay sharp manua...
Fair point—tech can definitely streamline inspections, but shouldn't replace manual checks entirely. Drones are great for initial hazard spotting, but subtle issues like loose flashing or compromised shingles often need hands-on verification. Balancing both methods usually gives the most reliable results.
Totally agree with balancing drone and manual checks. Last year after a big storm, I borrowed my neighbor's drone to check out my roof—thought it looked fine from the footage. But something kept nagging at me, so I climbed up anyway (carefully, of course). Turns out there was a whole section of shingles that looked okay from above but were actually loose enough to lift by hand. The drone just couldn't catch that subtlety.
Tech is awesome for spotting obvious stuff quickly, especially if you're not comfortable climbing ladders or roofs regularly. But nothing beats getting up close and personal once in a while. Plus, there's something reassuring about physically checking things yourself... gives you peace of mind knowing you've seen it firsthand.
"Turns out there was a whole section of shingles that looked okay from above but were actually loose enough to lift by hand."
This is exactly why I always recommend a hands-on check after any major weather event. Drones are great—fast, safe, and convenient—but they're still no substitute for the good old-fashioned eyeball test. Your experience really highlights the subtlety involved in roofing inspections. Shingles can look perfectly fine from a distance or even from a drone camera, but it's surprising how easily hidden issues can slip by unnoticed.
I've seen similar situations plenty of times on job sites. A few months ago, I was checking a client's roof after some heavy winds. Drone footage showed nothing out of the ordinary—just minor debris scattered around. But something felt off, and when I climbed up, sure enough... several shingles had lifted just enough to let moisture underneath. Left unchecked, those would've caused serious water damage over time.
It's reassuring to hear others trust their gut feeling too. Tech has definitely improved our lives, but roofing inspections still benefit from that human touch. Glad you took the extra step—probably saved yourself some headaches down the road.
Had a similar experience last year after a nasty storm rolled through. From the ground, everything looked fine, and even the drone footage didn't show anything obvious. But when I finally climbed up there myself, I found a bunch of shingles that were barely hanging on—just loose enough to let water seep in. Glad I caught it early because it could've turned into a much bigger headache down the line.
I agree drones are handy, but there's just no substitute for getting up close and checking things out yourself. Sometimes you just gotta trust your gut feeling and double-check things manually, especially after severe weather. Learned that lesson pretty quick as a first-time homeowner... better safe than sorry.
Had something similar happen a couple years back. Drone footage looked spotless, but when I climbed up, found a bunch of nails popped loose and shingles shifted around. Drones are cool and all, but nothing beats getting your own eyes on it... learned that the hard way.
