What is a drone roof inspection, and can it replace climbing the roof?
Short answer. A drone roof inspection uses a camera drone to photograph every slope, the ridge, chimneys and flashing from above, without anyone standing on the roof. It is excellent for steep or fragile roofs and overview documentation, but it cannot feel soft hail bruises or test seal strips, so it works best alongside a hands-on inspection.
How it works
The operator flies a grid or orbit pattern over the house, capturing high resolution stills and sometimes video. Some software stitches the images into a map or measurement report. Anyone flying a drone for business in the United States needs an FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate, so ask whether the operator has one.
Where drones shine
- Steep pitches (roughly 8/12 and up) where walking is risky.
- Tile, slate or old brittle shingles that crack under foot traffic.
- Overview shots that show patterns, like wind damage concentrated on one side.
- Chimney tops and ridge areas that are hard to reach safely.
Where drones miss
- Hail bruises. Many hail hits on asphalt shingles are soft spots found by touch, not visible craters.
- Unsealed shingles. Wind can break the adhesive strip without moving the tab much.
- Decking problems. Soft spots are felt underfoot.
- Things under trees. Overhanging limbs block the camera.
Doing it yourself
A consumer drone can give you a quick look after a storm, but stay well clear of power lines and trees, and do not treat a clean looking photo as proof of no damage. For the full in person process, see what to expect at a roof inspection.