I get where you're coming from about inspections—they can be hit or miss depending on who's doing them. But from my experience, regular checks have caught a few sneaky leaks early enough to save me some serious cash down the road. Still, nothing beats keeping an occasional eye yourself—especially after storms. And yeah, squirrels... had one set up shop in my attic insulation last winter. Little critter turned my insulation into its personal Airbnb, minus the five-star review.
Good call on those squirrels—they're crafty little things. I've noticed inspections help catch obvious stuff early, but curious if anyone's tried drone inspections? Seems like they might spot sneaky damage or critter entry points you'd miss from the ground. I haven't tested it myself yet, but drone tech is getting cheaper and more accessible lately... maybe worth a shot next time around.
I've done a few drone inspections myself, and honestly, they're pretty handy. They definitely help spot tricky areas you'd miss from the ground—especially around chimneys or steep pitches. But they're not perfect either... drones can't lift shingles or poke around flashing like hands-on checks can. I'd say use drones as a first pass to pinpoint trouble spots, then follow up with a ladder inspection for the nitty-gritty stuff. Best of both worlds, really.
Yeah, drones are great for a quick overview, but you're right—nothing beats getting up close and personal for the tricky stuff. Good call on combining both methods...sounds like you've got a solid system going.
Combining drone shots with hands-on checks is definitely smart. I learned the hard way after missing some hidden damage a drone didn't catch—cost me extra in repairs later. You're ahead of the game by covering both angles.
