What does a drone roof inspection actually include?
A multi-angle aerial capture of every roof plane, valley, and penetration point — not a quick flyover. Thermal imaging is available as an add-on to flag trapped moisture beneath shingles. You receive a same-day photo report organized section by section. Call (832) 888-1666.
How is this different from a roofer just walking my roof?
A ground-level or ladder inspection misses interior valleys and takes five minutes. Drone imaging produces a documented, section-by-section record of your roof’s actual condition instead of a verbal impression, and it reaches slopes a ladder physically can’t put someone on.
My house is two stories with a steep pitch. Can you still inspect it?
That’s exactly where drone inspection earns its keep. Many Houston-area two-story homes and steep-pitch designs make ladder access genuinely unsafe. Drone imaging captures every slope without anyone stepping onto the roof at all.
Will walking on my roof damage it?
It can. Steep pitches, aging decking, and older tile systems are all vulnerable to foot traffic during a manual inspection — some shouldn’t be walked at all. A drone survey eliminates that risk entirely on fragile or aging materials, including tile roofing.
Can a drone find hail damage I can’t see from the ground?
Usually yes. After a Houston hailstorm, bruised shingles and cracked seals are often only visible from directly overhead — not from the ground or a window. That’s the damage that quietly ends a roof’s life. See storm damage repair.
Will my insurance adjuster accept a drone report?
The report is built for that purpose. High-resolution aerial photos are timestamped and organized by roof section, formatted for Texas insurance claims, and structured in line with FEMA guidance on documenting property damage. You can share the digital file directly with your adjuster.
How fast do I get the report?
Same day. The photo report is delivered organized section by section for easy review, so you’re not waiting a week while exposed decking sits through another Houston rain cycle. That timing matters most when a claim deadline is running.
Does the report include an actual explanation, or just photos?
Every inspection includes a written summary alongside the photo set. Raw images aren’t useful without interpretation — Achilles inspectors review every flight before the report goes out, flagging what genuinely needs attention versus normal Houston wear.
Is a drone-only company just as good?
Achilles performs the inspection as a fully licensed roofing contractor, RCAT Member #208834 — not a third-party drone vendor who can fly but can’t diagnose. A drone inspection is only useful if someone with roofing knowledge interprets what the images show.
What is thermal imaging for?
It detects trapped moisture beneath shingles before that moisture surfaces as a ceiling stain inside your home. In Houston’s humidity, water can sit in the roof assembly for months before anyone sees it. Thermal is optional on any inspection.
Should I get an inspection if nothing looks wrong?
Yes — that’s the point. A documented baseline lets you catch deterioration early and prove pre-existing condition later. Inspection standards referenced by the National Roofing Contractors Association inform how each report is structured. Pair it with a maintenance plan for scheduled coverage.
Do you fly inspections in The Woodlands and Cypress?
Yes. Achilles has operated locally in the Houston area since 2017, working from West Sam Houston Parkway North, a supply yard on Cypress Bend Drive in Cypress, and an office at Timberloch Place in The Woodlands. See all area we serve.