[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-roof-inspections-what-we-look-for-with-our-drones-and-cameras\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-roof-inspections-what-we-look-for-with-our-drones-and-cameras\/","headline":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Roof Inspections \u2014 What We Look For With Our Drones and Cameras","name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Roof Inspections \u2014 What We Look For With Our Drones and Cameras","description":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Roof Inspections \u2014 What We Look For With Our Drones and Cameras The reason I start most inspections with a close look at the roof\u2014whether I walk it or fly it\u2014is because roofing issues are expensive, dramatic, and often preventable. But let me be clear up front: I\u2019m not checking if your roof was installed \u201cto spec\u201d 14 years ago. I\u2019m not measuring nail depth. I\u2019m looking for one thing\u2014what\u2019s happening right now. I\u2019m Here to See Today\u2019s Roof\u2014Not Rebuild Yesterday\u2019s Installation We don\u2019t verify manufacturer installation methods or confirm what underlayment was used underneath the shingles. That\u2019s outside our scope\u2014and usually invisible anyway. What I *can* do is document deterioration, flashing damage, lifting edges, granule loss, ponding, or poor drainage patterns. And yes, sometimes I find soft spots that feel like trampolines under your feet. If I see roof patching, mismatched repairs, exposed fasteners, or rusted vents, I\u2019ll flag it. If there\u2019s missing flashing or sagging at the valleys or eaves, that\u2019s in the report. But I\u2019m not counting how many nails were used under that last ridge cap. This is a visual, general condition evaluation\u2014not a certification. What I\u2019m Looking For\u2014And What I\u2019m Not \u2705 I\u2019m looking for: signs of deterioration, age-related wear, storm damage, clogged valleys, displaced materials, and flashing failures. \u274c I\u2019m not looking for: code compliance, brand-specific installation methods, warranties, or guessing how many years are left. Sometimes the roof looks fine\u2014but the interior tells a different story. That\u2019s why if it\u2019s rained recently (within the past 24 hours), I\u2019ll also use thermal imaging from the attic side to look for cold spots, moisture retention, or active leaks. You can\u2019t always see water on the surface\u2014but the infrared camera doesn\u2019t miss the temperature change. Drone vs. Walking: It\u2019s About Access and Safety Some roofs are too steep, slick, or fragile to walk. That\u2019s where drones come in. We use high-resolution photography to capture every slope, ridge, and valley\u2014from a safe distance, without damaging the materials. For one-story homes with safe angles and accessible surfaces, I may still walk the roof if it\u2019s safe and allowed by our standards. Whether by drone or by foot, you\u2019ll get high-quality images in your report\u2014showing exactly what we saw on the day of inspection, from every angle. These are valuable for future maintenance tracking and for getting accurate quotes if repairs are needed. FAQs: What to Know About Roof Inspections Do you walk every roof? No. Safety comes first. If the roof is too steep, slippery, or fragile, I\u2019ll use a drone instead. Either way, you\u2019ll get detailed visuals in your report. Can you tell me how many years the roof has left? No. I can tell you the current condition and visible wear\u2014but not future lifespan. That depends on maintenance, weather, materials, and luck. If needed, I\u2019ll recommend a roofer for deeper evaluation. Do you check for code or installation method compliance? No. We inspect for visible damage and wear. We don\u2019t confirm manufacturer specs, fastener counts, or code issues\u2014that\u2019s the roofer\u2019s job. Can your thermal camera find leaks? Yes\u2014if conditions are right. If it\u2019s rained in the last 24 hours, I\u2019ll scan for cold spots from the attic that suggest water intrusion. But thermal only works when water is actively present or evaporating. \u2192 Next up: Post 11: Inside the Attic \u2014 Insulation, Ventilation & What Can Go Wrong \u2190 Previously: Post 9: Generalist vs. Specialist \u2014 Why We Refer Out Curious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?","datePublished":"2025-06-30","dateModified":"2025-06-30","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/#Person","name":"Kloc Curtis","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/","identifier":6,"description":"Curtis Kloc is a U.S. Navy veteran and seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in business development, inspections, and technical systems. He has built and sold multiple six- and seven-figure home inspection and environmental services companies, including HERO Inspections & Environmental and Elite Analysis. Curtis is the founder of Inspections Over Coffee, a nationally expanding franchise known for its white-glove service, inspector training systems, and streamlined operational workflows.\r\n\r\nWith deep roots in nuclear engineering from his time as a Machinist Mate and Engineering Laboratory Technician aboard two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, Curtis brings unmatched precision and discipline to every business he runs. He is certified and licensed in home inspection, mold assessment, asbestos inspection, and environmental testing, and is a member of NACHI since 2006. Curtis now leads AI automation initiatives through Nexation.ai, helping businesses eliminate busywork and refocus on what matters most\u2014client relationships, growth, and results.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Person","name":"Curtis Kloc","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","width":512,"height":512}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/home-inspection-blog-10.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/home-inspection-blog-10.png","height":736,"width":1312},"url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-roof-inspections-what-we-look-for-with-our-drones-and-cameras\/","about":["Uncategorized"],"wordCount":631,"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Roof Inspections \u2014 What We Look For With Our Drones and CamerasThe reason I start most inspections with a close look at the roof\u2014whether I walk it or fly it\u2014is because roofing issues are expensive, dramatic, and often preventable. But let me be clear up front: I\u2019m not checking if your roof was installed \u201cto spec\u201d 14 years ago. I\u2019m not measuring nail depth. I\u2019m looking for one thing\u2014what\u2019s happening right now.I\u2019m Here to See Today\u2019s Roof\u2014Not Rebuild Yesterday\u2019s InstallationWe don\u2019t verify manufacturer installation methods or confirm what underlayment was used underneath the shingles. That\u2019s outside our scope\u2014and usually invisible anyway. What I *can* do is document deterioration, flashing damage, lifting edges, granule loss, ponding, or poor drainage patterns. And yes, sometimes I find soft spots that feel like trampolines under your feet.If I see roof patching, mismatched repairs, exposed fasteners, or rusted vents, I\u2019ll flag it. If there\u2019s missing flashing or sagging at the valleys or eaves, that\u2019s in the report. But I\u2019m not counting how many nails were used under that last ridge cap. This is a visual, general condition evaluation\u2014not a certification.What I\u2019m Looking For\u2014And What I\u2019m Not  \u2705 I\u2019m looking for: signs of deterioration, age-related wear, storm damage, clogged valleys, displaced materials, and flashing failures.  \u274c I\u2019m not looking for: code compliance, brand-specific installation methods, warranties, or guessing how many years are left.Sometimes the roof looks fine\u2014but the interior tells a different story. That\u2019s why if it\u2019s rained recently (within the past 24 hours), I\u2019ll also use thermal imaging from the attic side to look for cold spots, moisture retention, or active leaks. You can\u2019t always see water on the surface\u2014but the infrared camera doesn\u2019t miss the temperature change.Drone vs. Walking: It\u2019s About Access and SafetySome roofs are too steep, slick, or fragile to walk. That\u2019s where drones come in. We use high-resolution photography to capture every slope, ridge, and valley\u2014from a safe distance, without damaging the materials. For one-story homes with safe angles and accessible surfaces, I may still walk the roof if it\u2019s safe and allowed by our standards.Whether by drone or by foot, you\u2019ll get high-quality images in your report\u2014showing exactly what we saw on the day of inspection, from every angle. These are valuable for future maintenance tracking and for getting accurate quotes if repairs are needed.FAQs: What to Know About Roof InspectionsDo you walk every roof?No. Safety comes first. If the roof is too steep, slippery, or fragile, I\u2019ll use a drone instead. Either way, you\u2019ll get detailed visuals in your report.Can you tell me how many years the roof has left?No. I can tell you the current condition and visible wear\u2014but not future lifespan. That depends on maintenance, weather, materials, and luck. If needed, I\u2019ll recommend a roofer for deeper evaluation.Do you check for code or installation method compliance?No. We inspect for visible damage and wear. We don\u2019t confirm manufacturer specs, fastener counts, or code issues\u2014that\u2019s the roofer\u2019s job.Can your thermal camera find leaks?Yes\u2014if conditions are right. If it\u2019s rained in the last 24 hours, I\u2019ll scan for cold spots from the attic that suggest water intrusion. But thermal only works when water is actively present or evaporating.\u2192 Next up: Post 11: Inside the Attic \u2014 Insulation, Ventilation & What Can Go Wrong\u2190 Previously: Post 9: Generalist vs. Specialist \u2014 Why We Refer OutCurious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Roof Inspections \u2014 What We Look For With Our Drones and Cameras","item":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-roof-inspections-what-we-look-for-with-our-drones-and-cameras\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]