Just had my roof redone and now I'm debating how to give it a good once-over. My neighbor swears by binoculars—says it's safer and you can see everything clearly enough. But I dunno, I feel like climbing up there myself might give me better peace of mind, you know? I'm not exactly Spider-Man, but I'm not afraid of heights either. Curious what most folks here prefer and why.
- Binoculars are decent for a quick glance, but honestly, they won't show you everything. I've seen plenty of roofs that looked fine from the ground but had issues you'd only spot up close.
- Climbing up yourself? Sure, if you're comfortable and have the right safety gear—just be careful. Even if you're not afraid of heights, roofs can be tricky, especially after recent work.
- Another thought: maybe grab a drone if you can borrow or rent one. I've started using mine for initial checks. You get clear pics without risking your neck.
- Bottom line: binoculars alone might leave you guessing. If peace of mind is what you're after, either safely go up yourself or use a drone to bridge the gap.
"Another thought: maybe grab a drone if you can borrow or rent one."
Drones are handy, sure, but they have limitations too. I've seen drone pics miss subtle stuff like loose shingles or soft spots you'd easily catch by feel. Honestly, nothing beats actually walking the roof—carefully, of course. If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, having a roofer do a quick inspection might be worth the small expense...just my two cents from years dealing with storm aftermath.
"Honestly, nothing beats actually walking the roof—carefully, of course."
True, walking the roof gives you that hands-on feel, but let's be real: not everyone has the balance of a mountain goat or nerves of steel. I've seen my fair share of homeowners freeze halfway up a ladder, reconsidering life choices. 😂
If you're not comfortable climbing, binoculars can actually be surprisingly effective. Here's a quick tip: pick a clear day, stand back far enough to see the whole roof, and slowly scan section by section. Pay extra attention to areas around chimneys, vents, and valleys—those spots love hiding sneaky issues.
Drones are cool too, but as mentioned, they sometimes miss subtle stuff. Still, if heights aren't your thing and binoculars aren't cutting it, drones can at least give you a decent overview. Just don't rely on 'em completely.
Bottom line: choose what suits your comfort level and skill set. No roof inspection is worth a trip to the ER...trust me on that one. 😉
Bottom line: choose what suits your comfort level and skill set. No roof inspection is worth a trip to the ER...trust me on that one.
Good points about binoculars and drones. Personally, I prefer climbing up there myself—carefully, of course. Binoculars are decent for a quick check, but I've caught minor flashing issues and loose shingles only by getting up close. If you're comfortable enough on a ladder and roof, it's worth the extra effort. Just make sure you've got good shoes and pick a dry day...wet shingles can be surprisingly slippery.
