Ended up borrowing my neighbor’s borescope too—total lifesaver, but yeah, not perfect.
Been there. Crawling around attics with a flashlight and camera, trying not to fall through the ceiling or get a face full of insulation... it’s never as easy as folks think. Borescopes help, but even then, you’re lucky if the photos make sense to anyone but you. Cutting a bigger hatch is tempting, but you’re right—the mess isn’t worth it unless you’re doing major work anyway. And green roofs? I’ve seen a few, but honestly, keeping regular shingles in shape is enough for most people. You did well getting through the insurance hoops.
Insurance companies always want more proof than you think they will, right? Borescopes are handy, but yeah, half the time you’re just guessing what you’re looking at in those grainy shots. I’ve cut extra access hatches before and instantly regretted it—dust everywhere, and patching drywall is never as easy as it looks. You did the smart thing sticking with less invasive options. Keeping up with shingles is already a full-time job for most folks, especially if you’re somewhere with wild weather swings. Glad you finally got the policy sorted—sometimes persistence is the only way through those hoops.
Borescopes are handy, but yeah, half the time you’re just guessing what you’re looking at in those grainy shots.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had decent luck with borescopes—especially the newer ones with better resolution. It’s not perfect, but if you know what you’re looking for (like delamination or water stains), it can save a ton of hassle compared to cutting into drywall. I do agree patching is never as easy as it looks on YouTube... but sometimes, a small access hole is the only way to get the adjuster what they want. It’s a balancing act, for sure.
Funny how borescopes have become the “crystal ball” of roof and attic inspections. I’ve had my share of squinting at fuzzy images, but the newer HD models really do help—especially when you’re chasing down water trails or trying to spot rot without turning your ceiling into Swiss cheese. Still, nothing beats the feeling when you cut a tiny hole and realize you’re three feet off from the actual problem... Patchwork artistry is definitely not as easy as those YouTube folks make it look.
Still, nothing beats the feeling when you cut a tiny hole and realize you’re three feet off from the actual problem...
Yeah, that’s painfully familiar. I tried using a borescope last winter after spotting a weird stain in the hallway. Ended up poking around for an hour, convinced I’d found the leak, only to realize later my “target” was just an old insulation patch. Ceiling still needed patching, and I’m pretty sure my attempt at blending in the texture made it look worse. HD or not, I think my spatial sense is just off when I’m upside down in the attic.
