I’m with you on not climbing up unless there’s a real reason—no sense risking a fall just to “double check.” I do wonder, though, has anyone here actually had luck with those drone roof inspections? I keep seeing ads but not sure if it’s worth the money or just a gimmick.
I totally get the hesitation—no way am I risking a trip to the ER just to peek at some shingles. I actually tried a drone inspection last fall because I’m not great with heights, and honestly, it was pretty useful. The pics were clear enough to spot a couple of cracked shingles I’d have missed from the ground. It wasn’t cheap, but for me, it beat climbing up there myself or paying for a full inspection right away. If you’re worried about missing something after a rough winter, it’s not the worst idea.
I get the appeal of drones, but honestly, I’ve seen a lot of folks miss stuff that way—especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Cracked shingles are one thing, but things like popped nails or flashing issues can be tough to spot in photos. I know climbing up there isn’t for everyone, but sometimes just using binoculars from the ground or checking your attic for leaks after a storm can tell you more than a drone ever will. Not knocking the tech, just saying it’s not always foolproof.
I hear you—drones are cool, but they’re not magic. I’ve had owners swear their roof was fine because the drone pics looked okay, then we find a slow leak in the attic a month later. Sometimes you just can’t beat getting up close, or at least poking around the attic after heavy rain. That said, I’m not climbing up there myself anymore... knees aren’t what they used to be. Binoculars and a good flashlight have saved me more than once.
I’ve run into the same thing—drone shots are helpful for spotting obvious damage, but they just don’t catch everything. I manage a few older buildings with low-slope roofs, and after last winter, we had a couple of “invisible” leaks that only showed up as water stains in the ceiling weeks later. I still rely on a physical inspection, even if it’s just checking the attic insulation for damp spots after a storm. Technology’s great, but it’s not a substitute for getting your hands dirty sometimes.