Those valleys really are sneaky. I’ve had the same thing happen—thought everything looked fine from the ground, but once I got up there, found a couple of cracked shingles hiding under some moss. It’s a pain, but I guess that’s why they say a hands-on check is worth it, especially after a rough winter. I get being cautious though; safety first. If you’re able to get up there safely, it can save a lot of headaches down the road.
Valleys are definitely trouble spots, no doubt. I’ve seen a lot of folks overlook them just because everything looks fine from the ground—then you get up there and it’s a different story. I do think sometimes people go overboard with the “hands-on” checks, though. If you’re not comfortable on a ladder or roof, it’s probably safer to use binoculars or even a drone if you’ve got one. But yeah, moss and debris can hide a lot of damage, especially after freeze-thaw cycles. I’d say if you’re seeing moss, there’s a good chance moisture’s been sitting there longer than it should. That’s when the real problems start.
I hear you on the valleys—mine always seem to collect more debris than anywhere else, and I’m not climbing up there unless I really have to. I’ve been using a cheap pair of binoculars to check for moss and missing shingles, but sometimes I wonder if I’m missing stuff that’s not obvious from the ground. Has anyone tried those roof inspection apps or thermal cameras? Curious if they’re worth the money or just another gadget.
Has anyone tried those roof inspection apps or thermal cameras? Curious if they’re worth the money or just another gadget.
I’ve actually used a thermal camera attachment for my phone to check for heat loss around the attic after a rough winter. It’s decent for spotting insulation gaps, but honestly, I found it less useful for picking up shingle issues or small leaks unless there’s a big temperature difference and you know what you’re looking for. The apps that “analyze” photos have been hit or miss—some just highlight obvious stuff you’d see with binoculars anyway.
If you’re worried about missing things from the ground, I’d say nothing really beats getting up there, even if it’s just once a year. I get not wanting to climb, though—steep pitch and all. Have you ever considered hiring someone for a drone inspection? It’s not cheap, but it gave me peace of mind last spring when I couldn’t get up myself.
Curious—what kind of shingles are you dealing with? Some types hide damage better than others, especially after a freeze-thaw cycle.
Yeah, I’m with you on the thermal cameras—helpful for attic insulation, but not so much for shingle stuff unless you catch it at just the right time. I tried one of those photo-analysis apps last year and honestly, it flagged a bunch of “problems” that were just shadows or dirt. I’ve got architectural asphalt shingles, and after a few harsh winters, I’ve noticed little cracks that don’t show up in photos at all. Drone inspection was pricey, but it caught some lifted tabs I never would’ve seen from the ground. Still, nothing beats actually poking around up there if you can do it safely.
