Yeah, drones are great for initial overviews and spotting obvious issues, but they're definitely not foolproof for detailed inspections. I've noticed they often miss subtle signs of wear or smaller cracks that can lead to bigger problems down the line. Makes me wonder—are there specific drone models or camera setups that perform better at catching these finer details, or is it always going to require a human eye up close? Curious if anyone's found a setup that's more reliable...
You're spot on about drones missing the sneaky stuff—I've seen some pretty fancy setups with thermal imaging and high-res zoom lenses that help, but honestly, nothing beats a good ol' fashioned eyeball up close. Tech's cool, but humans still win this round...for now.
I've seen some pretty impressive drone inspections myself, especially with thermal imaging spotting moisture under roofing membranes. But yeah, you're right—tech still misses subtle issues like flashing that's slightly lifted or sealant that's starting to crack. Had a project last summer where the drone report came back clean, but when we got up there personally, we found small punctures and seams that were just beginning to separate. Those little things can turn into big headaches if you don't catch them early.
Still, drones are great for initial assessments and large-scale overviews, especially on steep or tricky roofs. Saves a ton of time and helps pinpoint areas worth climbing up to check in detail. I think the sweet spot is combining both methods—use drones for the big-picture stuff, then follow up with a detailed hands-on inspection in problem areas. Best of both worlds, really.
"I think the sweet spot is combining both methods—use drones for the big-picture stuff, then follow up with a detailed hands-on inspection in problem areas."
Exactly—drones are solid for initial damage assessments, especially after storms when quick overviews matter. Had a case recently where drone images clearly showed hail impacts across a large commercial roof, but totally missed subtle wind-lifted shingles at the edges. Hands-on check afterward caught those early, preventing bigger issues down the line. Drones help big-time, but they're definitely not a full replacement for boots-on-the-roof inspections yet.
Drones help big-time, but they're definitely not a full replacement for boots-on-the-roof inspections yet.
Had a similar experience recently—drone footage looked great, super detailed, but totally missed some flashing issues around the chimney. Only caught it when I climbed up myself. Wonder if drone tech will ever fully catch those subtle details...?
