Veteran-built.
Roof tune-up: drone check, seal penetrations and ridges
Most roof leaks start at penetrations (vents, pipes, skylights), ridges and flashing, not the field of the roof. A tune-up costs a fraction of a new roof.
Photo: our crew
Project calculator
Enter your numbers. Quantities, waste and totals update as you type. Prices are typical San Diego estimates; change them to what you are quoted.
| Material | Qty | Unit | Unit price | Line total | Buy |
|---|
Tools you need
Check off what you already own.
Estimates only. Buy links open Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe's or Walmart search results; we may earn a commission on Amazon purchases. Check local code and permit rules before you start.
Step by step
- Fly a drone over the roof first. Photograph every penetration, ridge, valley and flashing from 15 to 20 ft.
- Mark cracked boots, lifted shingles, rusted flashing and gaps at ridges.
- Scrape off failed sealant, wire-brush rust and clean the area.
- Replace cracked pipe boots. Slip new step flashing under shingles where it is rusted through.
- Seal nail heads, boot collars and ridge caps. Coat seams with elastomeric.
- Paint exposed flashing to match. Fly the drone again for before/after photos for your records and insurance.
What you need to know
Drone check: what to look for
- Cracked or split rubber pipe boots
- Missing or lifted ridge caps
- Rusted or loose flashing at walls and chimneys
- Granule loss and dark patches
- Debris in valleys and gutters
Why penetrations and ridges leak
- Rubber pipe boots dry out in San Diego sun in 8 to 12 years.
- Ridges and hips take the most wind and heat.
- Sealant shrinks and cracks; it is maintenance, not a permanent fix.
Drone rules
- Recreational flyers must pass the free FAA TRUST test.
- Paid inspections need an FAA Part 107 certificate.
- Check B4UFLY: much of San Diego is controlled airspace near airports and bases.
Get a licensed pro referral
Short on time, or the job needs a license? Tell us the project and the property address area. We will connect you with a licensed local partner and get you a written estimate.
Jobs that require a contractor's license under California law are referred to CSLB-licensed contractors. Check any license at cslb.ca.gov.
Broker, not a contractor. David Thomas Mejia is a California real estate broker (CA DRE #01448424), not a licensed contractor. Work that needs a California contractor's license should be done by a CSLB-licensed contractor; check any license at cslb.ca.gov. Cost ranges on this page are general estimates, not bids.