A drone roof inspection captures sharp overhead photos of every slope without anyone climbing up, which is useful for steep or fragile roofs and for documenting storm damage. What it can't do is feel soft decking, lift a shingle to test the seal, or look in the attic. For most homes, the most reliable answer pairs aerial imagery with a hands-on check.
Need a roof looked at after a storm? Call Cannon Roofing at (940) 627-1045, any hour, or book through our contact page.
What a drone does well
Whole-roof overview
From above, you see every slope at once: missing shingles on the back side, debris in valleys, tarps, patched areas and the layout of vents and pipes. That overview is hard to get from a ladder at the eaves.
Safe access to difficult roofs
Very steep pitches, tall two-story homes, wet surfaces and fragile materials like tile can be risky to walk. A drone lets you see them without adding foot traffic that could crack tile or scuff granules.
Documentation
Dated aerial photos make a clear record of a roof's condition before and after a storm, which can help when you talk with your insurer. They're also handy for measuring roof area and counting penetrations when planning a replacement. Insurers themselves increasingly use aerial and satellite images, as we explain in how aerial imagery is used in underwriting.
What aerial imagery can miss
Photos show surfaces. Many roof problems are underneath the surface or only reveal themselves to touch.
- Hail bruising: a hit can crush the shingle mat without knocking granules loose. On the roof, it feels soft under a thumb. In a photo it may look like nothing.
- Broken seal strips: wind can unseal a shingle that lies flat again afterward. Only lifting the tab shows it.
- Soft or rotted decking: spongy spots are felt underfoot, not seen from the air.
- Flashing details: gaps behind counterflashing, backed-out nails and cracked sealant at walls and chimneys are often hidden from straight overhead.
- The attic: water stains, daylight at penetrations, wet insulation and poor ventilation never show on a drone photo.
Why the attic matters so much
Some of the most useful evidence on a leaking roof is inside. Stained sheathing tells you where water entered and how long it's been happening. See our guide to what an attic inspection reveals.
Why photo quality isn't the whole story
Modern drone cameras are sharp enough to show individual granules. The limit isn't resolution; it's angle and light. Shots taken straight down flatten the roof, hiding lifted edges and gaps under flashing. Midday glare can wash out subtle marks, and shadows from trees or dormers can hide or mimic damage. A good aerial set includes angled shots and close passes, but even then, some conditions can only be confirmed by touch.
A hands-on inspection in North Texas storm season
Spring hail and summer wind leave damage that is often hard to see. After a storm moves through Decatur, Bridgeport or Rhome, many roofs look fine from the street and from above yet have dozens of bruised shingles, cracked vent caps or dented flashing. Insurers generally expect damage to be documented clearly and reported in a reasonable time. That's why, after a significant storm, we recommend a physical inspection rather than a flyover alone. The inspector can mark and photograph individual hits in test areas, check soft metals like vents and gutters for dents, and note the direction the storm came from.
Drone roof inspection, walk-on or both: how to choose
When aerial alone is reasonable
A quick check of whether debris or a tarp has shifted, a look at a roof that's clearly too steep or fragile to walk, or a progress photo during a project.
When you want hands-on
Suspected hail damage, an active leak, a home purchase, an insurance claim or a roof you're deciding to repair or replace. These decisions depend on details a camera can't confirm.
When a combined approach makes sense
On a large or complicated roof, aerial photos can map the whole surface and flag suspect areas, and the inspector then confirms those spots by hand and checks the attic. You get the overview plus the proof.
Questions to ask whoever inspects your roof
- Will anyone physically walk the roof, and if not, why?
- Will you check the attic?
- Will I get the photos, labeled by location?
- How do you tell hail bruising from normal wear?
How Cannon Roofing inspects
Our roof inspection service is built around a hands-on look wherever it's safe: shingles, ridge, valleys, flashing, vents, boots and gutters, plus the attic. We explain what we find and which issues need attention now and which can wait. Inspections and estimates come at no charge, and every employee holds the Technician Seal of Safety. We've been doing this across Wise County and North Texas since 1994.
Frequently asked questions
Is a drone roof inspection accurate for hail damage?
It can spot obvious hits, missing shingles and dented metal, but it often misses bruising that's only felt by hand. For a hail claim, a hands-on inspection is the safer choice.
Will walking on my roof damage it?
A trained inspector with proper footwear who avoids fragile areas causes minimal wear. On tile or very steep roofs, we'll adjust how we access it.
Can I fly my own drone to check my roof?
It's a reasonable way to spot obvious problems after a storm, and it keeps you off the ladder. Follow the FAA's recreational drone rules, and if you see anything suspicious, have a roofer confirm it up close.
For a roof inspection you can trust, call Cannon Roofing first at (940) 627-1045. We're available 24/7 and serve Decatur, Boyd, Chico, Newark and surrounding towns. You can also send photos or questions through our online form.