Use A Drone To Thoroughly Assess The Condition Of Your Roof
It's a good idea to get into the practice of checking the condition of your roof several times a year, especially following large storms and seasonal changes. By checking the roof regularly, you'll be able to notice whether there are issues with it that require professional attention, and you can then call a roofing company to take care of the work. A visual inspection from the ground can reveal some issues, but it's handier to get closer to the roof to check it. But if you're nervous about heights, you may be reluctant to climb a ladder to your roof. Instead, find a friend who owns and operates a drone, give him or her a few dollars, and use this tech tool to assess your roof. Here are some factors to consider.
Carefully Inspect The Entire Roof
Have your friend fly the drone at a low altitude directly over your roof, going from one end of the gutters to the other and taking time to hover above any vents and your chimney. After the flight has been completed, you can download the HD camera footage to your computer and check it out. It's better to have more footage than less — if you can ask your friend to systematically cover the entire roof with the drone, you'll be confident in your ability to identify any issues.
Things To Look For
As you review the drone footage, there are a number of things that you want to look for. Check if any of the shingles have upturned edges, for example. This can indicate that they've at least partially lost their integrity. Bald or partially bald shingles are no longer providing proper protection against the elements, so watch for this issue, too. Around vents, ensure that the vent caps are firmly held against the roof and that any screens are properly intact. Around your chimney, ensure that the trim at the base of the chimney is flat and snug with the roof.
Sharing The Information
If you identify clear signs that your roof needs to be repaired, you can call a roofing contractor right away. If there's any confusion about the condition of your roof, however, you can take screen captures or upload segments of the video to YouTube. You can then email the screen captures or forward your video link to your local roofing company to have someone identify whether the issues are serious or not. You can then decide to hire the roofer or, depending on the issue, perhaps wait a little longer.