I used to think all those fancy inspection reports were just a way to jack up the price, but after getting burned by a hidden leak last winter, I’m not so sure anymore. My roof looked fine from the ground and even up close, but the inspector’s thermal gadget spotted a cold patch right where water was seeping in. Saved me a ton in repairs down the line. I still check things myself first—old habits die hard—but sometimes the tech really does pay for itself, especially if you’re trying to avoid a big surprise bill.
- Not totally convinced all that tech is always necessary, honestly.
- My last place had a green roof—sedum and wildflowers. Never needed a thermal scan, just regular checks for drainage and plant health.
- Sometimes I wonder if we’re overcomplicating things with gadgets when basic maintenance and eco-friendly materials can prevent a lot of issues.
- That said, I get the appeal if you’ve got a tricky leak or an older roof.
- Anyone else feel like some of these inspections are more about upselling than actual problems?
I get where you’re coming from—sometimes it does feel like the tech is more about selling services than solving real problems. But I’ve actually found thermal scans useful a couple times, especially with my old asphalt shingle roof. Had a weird leak that only showed up after heavy rain, and I just couldn’t track it down with the usual visual checks. The scan picked up a cold spot right under a vent, which turned out to be a tiny crack I’d never have noticed otherwise.
That said, I agree that for newer roofs or green roofs with good drainage, regular hands-on checks go a long way. I do think some companies push the high-tech stuff when it’s not really needed, especially if you’re already on top of maintenance. But in tricky cases or with older materials, the gadgets can save a lot of time and guesswork. Just wish the reports were less dramatic—mine looked like something out of a spy movie...
Those thermal reports are wild, right? Mine had all these color blobs and arrows, like I was supposed to be prepping for a heist instead of patching a roof. But honestly, I get the appeal—my place is pushing 30 years and those old shingles hide stuff you’d never spot with just a ladder and a flashlight. Still, I’m with you: if your roof’s newer or you’re good about checking after storms, most of the time you can just look for loose nails or cracked caulk and skip the gadgets. The tech’s handy when you’re stumped, but sometimes it feels like overkill... especially when they try to upsell half the neighborhood.
if your roof’s newer or you’re good about checking after storms, most of the time you can just look for loose nails or cracked caulk and skip the gadgets.
That’s pretty much how I’ve handled it—just walk the roof after a big rain, check the gutters, and peek for anything weird. My place is only 12 years old, so I keep wondering if those thermal scans would actually catch something I’d miss, or if it’s just another way for them to find “problems” and push repairs. Has anyone actually caught a real issue with thermal imaging that wasn’t obvious from a regular inspection? I’m on the fence about whether it’s worth the extra cost.
