Had a similar experience when we bought our first place. The inspector used thermal imaging and drones, and honestly, the report looked like something NASA would put out. Super impressive visually, but it completely missed a small leak we only discovered after a heavy storm. Turned out there was a tiny gap around one of the chimney flashings, only noticeable when water pooled in just the right spot. Tech's great for broad sweeps, but subtle issues—especially those dependent on specific weather conditions—really need someone up there physically poking around. Learned quickly that combining high-tech scans with a thorough manual inspection is the way to go if you want peace of mind.
Yeah, thermal imaging and drones are awesome for spotting big-picture stuff, but those sneaky little leaks around flashings or vents can easily slip through. Nothing beats someone actually getting up there and poking around a bit—especially after a storm. Glad you caught it early though!
Totally agree about drones and thermal imaging missing those smaller leaks. Had a similar issue last year—inspection came back clean, but after the next rainstorm, found water dripping around the bathroom vent. Ended up climbing into the attic myself (not fun, btw) and spotted daylight peeking through a tiny gap. Patched it temporarily with roofing cement, but now I'm wondering...anyone got tips on DIY flashing repairs or is this strictly pro territory?
I patched up some flashing around a chimney once—thought it was straightforward at first, but honestly, it ended up way trickier than I expected. The old flashing was brittle and broke apart when I tried to lift it, and then fitting the new stuff underneath the shingles without damaging anything was kind of a nightmare. Managed to get it sealed eventually, but if it's in a tricky spot or you're not super comfortable on ladders... might be worth calling someone. Just my two cents from a DIYer who's learned the hard way.
"Managed to get it sealed eventually, but if it's in a tricky spot or you're not super comfortable on ladders... might be worth calling someone."
Fair point, but I'd add that even if you are comfortable up there, chimney flashing is one of those spots where a professional's precision can save money in the long run. I've seen DIY repairs that look solid at first but end up causing hidden water damage months later. Sometimes it's less about ladder comfort and more about understanding proper layering and sealing techniques—details matter here.
