When does a drone make sense?
Steep and two-storey roofs. Getting a person up there safely can mean scaffolding or edge protection. A drone just flies.
Fragile roofs. Slate, old terracotta and asbestos cement are the worry here. The NSW Government's heritage maintenance schedule says to avoid walking on brittle roof tiles, and the national asbestos agency notes people have fallen through asbestos cement roofs while doing maintenance. A drone looks without a single footstep. See slate and heritage roofs.
After a storm. A quick flyover shows broken tiles, lifted sheets and debris, and gives you dated images for your insurer.
Before you buy. If you can't get a roofer up on a house you're looking at, a drone may be the only close look you'll get.
What a drone shows, and what it can't
| A drone can show | A drone can't show | |
|---|---|---|
| Tiles and sheets | Cracks, slips, missing tiles, rust, dents | Hairline cracks, or tiles that rock underfoot |
| Ridge and hips | Missing caps, cracked pointing, gaps | Whether the bedding underneath has let go |
| Flashing and valleys | Rust, lifted edges, leaf build-up | Gaps tucked under laps and tiles |
| Gutters | Blockages, rust, sagging runs | Leaking joins or the inside of box gutters |
| Roof space | Nothing at all | Water stains, timber condition, sarking and insulation |
What about thermal cameras?
Some drones carry a thermal camera, which shows differences in surface temperature. Damp areas can read cooler than the dry roof around them, which hints at where water is sitting.
It's a clue, not a diagnosis. Results depend on the weather, the time of day and the roof material, and someone needs to know how to read them. Ask whether thermal images come with a roofer's interpretation.
What to ask a drone operator
- Are you a roofer, or a drone operator who passes the images to one?
- Are you accredited and insured to fly for paid work, and can I see proof?
- Will you check the roof space too, or is it outside only?
- Do I get the original photos and video, with dates on them?
- Who tells me what the images mean and what needs fixing?
What you can do, and what needs a pro
You can
- Take your own photos of the roof from the yard and upstairs windows
- Look at ceilings in top-floor rooms for stains a drone can't see
- Keep the drone footage on file so you can compare after the next storm
Leave to a roofer
- Reading what the images actually show
- A close look at anything the drone flags
- Checking the roof space
- Any repair the inspection turns up
Our view on drones
We'd use a drone where walking the roof is risky or impossible, and treat the images as a starting point. Pair them with a check of the roof space and a roofer's read of what they show. If the footage reveals a problem, expect the roofer to want a closer look before quoting the fix.
Want a roofer to take a look?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match it with a Find My Roofer certified roofer who specialises in that kind of work, and they call you to quote. Your number goes to them alone.