More and more home inspectors are understanding the benefits of aerial drones. It is the inspector’s job to examine systems and areas of a property, even hard-to-reach spaces like the crawlspace and the rooftop. Drones offer inspectors easy access to roofs and record photos or videos for the inspector to review and include in the home inspection. Drones in home inspections use modern technology to assess the roof’s overall condition and find areas of damage.
How Inspectors Use Drones
The roof is one of the most important components of a property. It protects the home and its occupants from the elements. Installing a new roof is an expensive home maintenance project. For this reason, it’s important to know the roof’s condition so you can adjust your offer to allow for any needed repairs. A drone will fly over any rooftop to capture details with high-resolution photos or videos.
Screen the Roof for Hazards
Before walking the roof, a home inspector may use a drone to look at it first. He or she will determine if the roof is in good enough condition to walk. For an aging or damaged roof, a drone gives the inspector the opportunity to screen the roof for hazards and decide if it can be walked.
Home inspectors won’t walk on a roof that is unsafe and they are only required to inspect visible and accessible areas. This means that a roof that is too damaged to be walked won’t get a thorough inspection without the use of an aerial drone.
Drones for Home Inspections Can See Hard-to-Reach Areas
Drones offer a view of the home’s exterior that you can’t see by climbing a ladder. Aerial drones provide images of hard-to-reach areas that would not be inspected otherwise. Even if the roof is safe to walk, the inspector may not be able to safely inspect all areas and features. With a drone, the inspector can examine skylights on a steeply pitched roof and inspect the roofing around chimneys and dormer windows.
Inspect Any Type of Roof
Sloped roofs are a dramatic feature of a home. They allow snow or rain to easily run off the roofing. However, steep roofs are difficult or impossible to walk during a home inspection. Aerial drones allow any type of roof to be examined, from peak to valley.
Easily See Damage Using Drones in Home Inspections
High-resolution images are standard with aerial drones. By zooming in on a picture, your inspector can identify issues with the roofing materials. Drone images can capture rusted or missing flashings, broken tiles, and areas of missing shingles.
Nico Home Inspections uses an aerial drone to collect images of a home’s roofing when it’s dangerous or unsafe to walk. If you’re buying a house in the Southeast Florida area, contact us to schedule an appointment.