Those drone reports are pretty wild, aren't they? I remember the first time I saw one during my apprenticeship; the homeowner was scrolling through it on a tablet, and I swear it felt like we were planning some covert operation. Thermal imaging is definitely cool, but honestly, it's not always necessary unless you're dealing with tricky leaks or insulation issues.
One time, though, we did this older house where the owner couldn't pinpoint a leak to save his life. Roof looked totally fine visually, but when they finally brought out thermal imaging, it lit up the exact spot like a Christmas tree. Turned out water was sneaking in around an old chimney flashing and running along the attic beams before dripping down inside the wall. Without that thermal scan, we'd have spent days guessing and probably tearing apart drywall unnecessarily.
So yeah, thermal imaging can be a lifesaver if you've got mystery leaks or suspect hidden moisture problems. But if your drone report already pinpointed obvious missing shingles, you're probably good for now. Maybe keep it in your back pocket if something weird pops up later...
Yeah, drone reports can feel a bit over-the-top sometimes, but when you're chasing down those sneaky leaks, tech like thermal imaging really earns its keep. Still, I'd hold off unless things get weird—no point spending extra cash if the issue's obvious.
"Still, I'd hold off unless things get weird—no point spending extra cash if the issue's obvious."
Totally agree with this. Thermal imaging is awesome when you're stuck, but most leaks I've seen are pretty straightforward once you know what to look for. Usually, just checking flashing, vents, and valleys step-by-step does the trick. But hey, if things start getting mysterious or you're chasing ghosts up there... drones and thermal cams can save you a ton of headaches. Good luck!
"Usually, just checking flashing, vents, and valleys step-by-step does the trick."
Yeah, this has been my experience too. Had a leak last spring that drove me nuts—turned out it was just a tiny gap in the flashing around the chimney. Felt kinda dumb after climbing around up there with a flashlight for hours, but hey, lesson learned. Thermal imaging sounds cool, but unless you're dealing with something sneaky or hidden behind insulation, it's probably overkill.
Thermal imaging definitely has its place, though. Had a similar issue last year—a tiny leak turned into a real headache, and the usual visual inspection didn't cut it. Turned out there was moisture trapped beneath some insulation, and thermal imaging pinpointed exactly where the water was hiding. Saved me from tearing up way more roofing than necessary.
But yeah, for most routine checks, careful step-by-step inspection of flashing, valleys, and vents usually does the job. One thing I'd add to your list though: gutters. I've seen so many cases where overflowing or improperly sloped gutters cause water to back up under shingles—especially during heavy rains or snowmelt.
Has anyone found a good DIY-friendly method for checking gutter slope accurately? I've tried eyeballing it and using a level, but it always feels kinda imprecise...
