How Drones Take Home Inspections to New Heights
Roof inspections have traditionally required inspectors to climb ladders and walk on rooftops, which poses safety risks and limits what can be thoroughly examined. Drone technology is changing that by giving inspectors a detailed aerial view without ever leaving the ground.
What Is a Drone Roof Inspection?
A drone roof inspection uses a small unmanned aircraft equipped with a high-resolution camera to capture detailed images and video of the entire roof surface. The inspector pilots the drone around and over the roof, examining every section from multiple angles.
Advantages Over Traditional Roof Inspections
- Safety - no need to climb steep, wet, or damaged roofs
- Speed - a drone inspection covers the entire roof in 15 to 20 minutes
- Detail - high-resolution cameras capture images that are often more detailed than what the human eye can see from a ladder
- Access - drones can inspect areas that are difficult or impossible to reach on foot, including multi-story roofs and complex roof lines
- Documentation - every finding is captured in high-quality photos and video
What Can a Drone Detect?
Drone inspections identify the same issues as traditional roof inspections including missing or damaged shingles, cracked flashing, deteriorated ridge caps, clogged gutters, improper drainage, damaged vent pipes, and signs of storm damage. The aerial perspective also makes it easier to spot patterns of wear that might not be obvious from a ladder.
When Should You Add a Drone Inspection?
At Noble Property Inspections, we offer drone roof inspections as a $35 add-on to any home inspection. We recommend drone inspections for multi-story homes where roof access is limited, steep roofs, tile roofs that can be damaged by walking on them, and any situation where a closer look at the roof would be beneficial.
Drone technology does not replace the expertise of a certified inspector - it enhances it. By combining aerial imagery with hands-on inspection of accessible areas, we provide the most comprehensive roof evaluation possible.