Drone Roof Inspections vs Manual: Which Is Better?

Are Drone Roof Inspections as Good as Manual Ones? 

Technology is constantly evolving in every industry, and roofing is no exception now that we have drone roof inspections. But over the past several years, many roofing companies in Glen Ellyn  have adopted drone roof inspections as an alternative or supplement to their service.  In this article, we’ll compare drone roof inspection with manual rooftop inspections and examine the advantages and disadvantages, so you  understand the differences.

Why Roof Inspections are Needed

Are roof inspections one of life’s necessities? Yes. Inspections can flag minor problems before they become major ones and let you know when it’s time to start planning for a new roof. 

At first glance, drone roof inspections appear to be a much-needed technological advancement. Most contractors perform hundreds of inspections each year for their customers, which typically means scaling a ladder and walking the roof.  It’s recommended that homeowners have a roof inspection at least once a year, preferably twice (Spring and Fall) to prepare for the changing seasons. However there are many other reasons a homeowner might call a roofing contractor to perform a traditional or drone roof inspection on their property:

• To check for storm damage
• To identify the cause of leaks
• To find the source of mold or discoloration in the attic or other parts of the home
• To address potential problems with preventative maintenance
• To assess the lifespan of the existing roof and plan for a new one
• To provide peace of mind for homeowners heading into storm season

How Manual Roof Inspection Works  

Traditionally, roofers climb onto the roof and perform a visual and hands-on assessment. They typically have a detailed checklist to perform the inspection.

They look for missing, cracked, curled, or blistering shingles. They identify areas of excessive granule loss or areas where storms may have damaged the roof.

They inspect metal flashing around chimneys and other areas for rust, dents, or corrosion. They identify gaps around structures that may show compromised caulk and seals.

Next are gutters and downspouts. Roofing contractors check for clogs, damage, pulling away from the roofline, or anything else that would jeopardize their function. Roofing contractors can often replace gutters if needed as part of the roofing job. 

Roofing contractors may also inspect the attic or interior. They look for proper ventilation, sagging decking, and cracks in the roof only visible from the inside. They will also inspect for any visible stains, mold, mildew, or moisture, as well as any signs of animal or pest infestation.

The purpose of a drone roof inspection is identical to that of a traditional roof inspection. The difference is that the roofing contractor doesn’t have to get up on the roof! Also, for a roofing contractor, the ability to perform drone inspections can set them apart from competitors!

What to Expect From a Drone Roof Inspection

 A drone roof inspection provides a detailed, visual view of a homeowner’s roof. This can be extremely helpful to roofing contractors as an important visual aid when they discuss areas of concern.

The first step in getting a drone roof inspection is locating a roofing contractor who is licensed and well-trained to perform drone roof inspections.  Commercial drone operators must comply with regulations, so legal compliance is part of the workflow.

Pro-Home Services is a roofing contractor qualified to perform drone roof inspections. The process involves several steps.

1. First, we plan a flight path over the property to perform the drone roof inspection safely.
2. We fly the drone over and around the roof, capturing high-resolution images and video.
3. We process and annotate the captured data into a report to discuss with our customers.
4. Pro-Home Services then uses the data to pinpoint potential trouble spots, generate repair estimates, or schedule further manual inspection as needed.

Advantages of Drone Roof Inspections

Besides the entertainment factor of watching the drone whiz around your roof, there are many other advantages to performing a drone roof inspection.

Safety

Perhaps the most significant benefit of having a drone roof inspection is that the roofing crew stays on the ground. No need to climb a ladder or risk falling.

Speed and Efficiency

Drones survey rooftops very quickly. For a roofing contractor, more drone roof inspections can be done each day than manual ones. It translates to cost savings for the contractor and the customer in the long run.

Accuracy

Drone roof inspections collect excellent quantities of data and precise measurements as they hover, zoom in, and reach angles inaccessible from ladders. The accuracy is appreciated by the roofing contractor and the insurance company in determining the scope of service or coverage.

Hard-to-Reach Areas

A drone roof inspection provides high-resolution images that can zoom in on problem areas and reach angles or crevices that might challenge a roofing contractor.  For roofs with steep pitches, multiple layers, and architectural features that create hard-to-inspect elements, a drone roof inspection can be the answer. 

Disadvantages  and Limitations of Drone Roof Inspections

So, can drone roof inspections replace humans altogether? It’s worth considering some of their limitations before you tell your roofing contractor you don’t need them to scale your roof.

Tactile Feedback

Drones don’t “feel” soft spots or have the experience to judge material integrity like an experienced roofing contractor.  Roofing contractors come into contact with the roof and can identify the weak spots.

 Operator Skill

If the roofing contractor is not experienced with drone roof inspections, the inspection may suffer. The operator may miss spots or fail to collect critical, comprehensive data, simply because of their inexperience. 

Flight Restrictions

Depending on where you live, a drone roof inspection may not be possible. Roofing contractors, like all pilots, are subject to FAA restrictions. Some conditions may keep drones grounded while experienced roofing contractors can still perform.

Half the Work

Drone roof inspections really only cover half the job of a full roof inspection. The second half, which involves inspecting the underside of the roofing deck inside the home, cannot be performed by a drone.

Missed Hidden Damage

Cameras can’t see what’s hidden from view. Roofing contractors can detect moisture trapped under layers, internal leaks, or damage under flashing, where drone roof inspections fail.

The Best Time to Use Drone Roof Inspection

There are definitely best-case scenarios for using drone roof inspections. For the homeowner and the roofing contractor, a drone roof inspection is best ordered when conditions meet specific requirements.

• The inspection area is considerably large.
• Time is limited.
• The roof is exceptionally steep.
• There are many hard-to-access areas on the roof.
• The roof poses an exceptional safety risk to the roofing contractor.

Hybrid Inspections—Drone and Visual

Many roofing contractors choose a hybrid model that involves a quick drone inspection followed by a targeted, brief, manual inspection. That way, customers and roofing contractors can get the best of both worlds — the efficiency of a drone with the thoroughness of a traditional roofing inspection.

Pro-Home Services finds drone roofing inspections to be an excellent tool in servicing our homeowners throughout Chicagoland. We embrace the clear advantages of drone roof inspections in terms of safety, speed, data quality, and cost-efficiency. However, we also remain aware of the drone’s limitations in detecting hidden or subtle damage best evaluated with the human touch and interior access.

If you are interested in any roofing inspection, reach out to us at 630-790-0800 We will provide you with the quality, thorough inspection you need!