A roof is the single most expensive component on most homes, and it's also the one inspectors most often cannot walk. Steep pitches, clay tile, metal, and very tall homes can all make roof-walking unsafe — or damaging to the roof itself. That's where drone services come in.
A roof is the single most expensive component on most homes, and it's also the one inspectors most often cannot safely walk. Steep pitches, clay tile, metal standing-seam, slate, and very tall homes can all make roof-walking unsafe — or damaging to the roof itself. When that's the case, Sola Fide Home Inspections uses an FAA Part 107 compliant drone to capture every square foot of the roof up close, without ever setting foot on it.
When a Drone Is the Right Tool
Curtis prefers to walk a roof whenever it's safe and reasonable to do so. There's no substitute for standing on a surface to feel how the decking responds, to check fasteners, and to spot-check sealants. But there are several situations where a drone is the right call:
- Steep-pitched roofs (steeper than 8/12) where walking isn't safe
- Tile and slate roofs that crack under foot traffic
- Very tall homes where the edge exposure is dangerous
- Wet, frosty, or icy conditions that make any roof slippery
- Newer TPO and standing-seam metal that can be marked or bent by footfall
- Fragile composite or cedar shake in poor condition
What the Drone Captures
A drone inspection captures high-resolution aerial imagery of every plane on the roof. Curtis flies multiple passes — wide-angle for overall context, then close-ups of the ridgelines, valleys, hips, flashings, chimneys, penetrations, and edges. The imagery goes into the final report right alongside the rest of the findings.
A good drone inspection documents:
- Shingle wear, curling, cupping, and granule loss
- Missing, lifted, or displaced shingles
- Flashing condition around chimneys, skylights, and wall-to-roof intersections
- Ridge and hip cap condition
- Valley construction and wear
- Penetration boots and pipe flashings
- Gutter alignment and debris
- Chimney condition, mortar joints, and cap
- Tree contact and debris accumulation
Drone + General Home Inspection
Drone services pair directly with a Sola Fide general home inspection. On many homes, Curtis will make a judgment call on the day of the inspection: walk what's safe, fly what isn't. The result is more thorough documentation than either approach alone would provide — and it's all delivered in a single unified report.
What a Drone Inspection Does Not Replace
A drone inspection is a roof-surface tool. It doesn't replace the attic inspection, which is where roof leaks often show up first as staining on decking or insulation. It doesn't replace hands-on testing of flashings or fasteners. And it doesn't replace an inspector's judgment about overall roof condition. At Sola Fide, the drone is one tool among many — used where it adds clarity, not as a shortcut.
FAA Compliance
Curtis operates under FAA Part 107 rules, which means Sola Fide drone flights are legal, insured, and conducted with appropriate awareness of airspace, line-of-sight, and private property. If you're in a controlled airspace area near DFW, Addison, or Rockwall airports, Curtis will verify any authorizations needed before the flight.
Schedule your DFW drone roof inspection with Sola Fide Home Inspections.