I see your point about drones missing subtle stuff—I've noticed that too. Even with high-res cameras, drones can overlook tiny cracks or early moisture signs that a hands-on inspection would catch easily. Maybe it's partly operator skill, but I think it's also about the tactile aspect—feeling soft spots or loose materials is something drones just can't replicate yet. Still, drone tech keeps improving, so who knows...maybe soon they'll close that gap enough to rely on them more often.
I get what you're saying about drones lacking the tactile feel, but honestly, I think the bigger issue is the interpretation of the data. Even if drones can't physically touch the roof, a skilled inspector reviewing high-res images can spot subtle patterns or discolorations that might hint at underlying issues. It's not perfect yet, sure...but with the right expertise behind the controls, drones might already be closer than we think. Just my two cents as someone who's spent way too many weekends researching roof inspections lately.
You make a solid point about drones and image interpretation, but from my experience, there's still something to be said for physically getting up there. I've had inspections where the drone images looked pretty clean, but once I climbed up, I found soft spots or loose shingles that weren't obvious from above. Sometimes, subtle issues like slight depressions or raised edges are easier to feel underfoot than spot visually.
Don't get me wrong—drones are fantastic tools, especially for steep or tricky roofs. But I think they're best used as a complement rather than a full replacement for hands-on inspections. Maybe as drone tech and imaging software improve, we'll get closer to bridging that gap. Until then, I'll probably keep my ladder handy...just in case.
Totally get what you're saying about the drone images. Last month, we had a roof that looked fine from above, but once I climbed up, I could feel the plywood flexing underfoot—definitely wouldn't have caught that from drone pics alone. Maybe drones just aren't sensitive enough yet?
"Maybe drones just aren't sensitive enough yet?"
Yeah, drones are handy for spotting obvious issues, but subtle stuff like soft plywood or hidden moisture... not so much. When we bought our place, the inspector caught a small leak by feeling around the attic insulation—saved us from bigger headaches later.
