I’m all for keeping things simple, but sometimes those “gadget” checks catch stuff our eyes and noses just can’t.
You nailed it—sometimes your nose just isn’t enough, unless you’ve got superhuman sniffing powers. I’ve seen more than a few “perfectly fine” roofs that turned out to be hiding a swamp under the surface. Moisture meters and infrared cameras might seem like overkill, but they’re like x-ray vision for roofs.
I get the urge to skip the fancy tools, especially if you’re used to doing your own walkarounds. But with flat roofs or anything with layers (green roofs are a whole different beast), water loves to sneak in and throw a party where you can’t see it. The worst is when you only find out after the ceiling starts dripping on your desk... or worse, mold starts showing up in weird places.
I usually tell folks: if you’re in a spot with wild weather swings or lots of trees dropping debris, every couple years for a pro check isn’t crazy at all. It’s not about being paranoid—it’s just cheaper than replacing half your insulation because you trusted your “gut feeling.”
I get where you’re coming from about the gadgets—can’t argue that they pick up stuff you’d never see just poking around. But honestly, I think a lot of folks get pressured into these “pro” checks way more often than they actually need them. My place isn’t huge, but it’s got a flat roof and I just keep an eye out for ponding, weird stains, or soft spots when I’m up there clearing leaves. Never had a leak yet (knock on wood).
Maybe if you’ve got a big commercial building or a green roof with all those layers, yeah, that’s different. But for smaller spots or if you’re pretty hands-on, it feels like overkill to call in someone with an infrared camera every couple years unless you’ve actually noticed something off. I’d rather spend that cash patching up seams myself or just keeping drains clear.
Guess it depends how comfortable you are doing your own inspections. Not saying pros are useless—just think some of us can get by fine with the basics if we stay on top of things.
Guess it depends how comfortable you are doing your own inspections. Not saying pros are useless—just think some of us can get by fine with the basics if we stay on top of things.
I totally get the DIY approach—my wallet definitely prefers it. But I’ll admit, I learned the hard way that sometimes “just keeping an eye out” isn’t enough. My first spring in this house, I thought I was nailing it: swept off the leaves, checked for puddles, even did the old “jump test” (not recommended if you’re clumsy). Everything looked fine... until a random summer storm hit and water started dripping through my bathroom vent. Turns out there was a tiny crack under some old caulking that I never would’ve spotted.
Now, I’m not saying everyone needs to go full CSI: Roof Edition every year, but I do think a pro check every few years is worth it—especially if you’re like me and still learning what’s “normal” up there. Sometimes those gadgets catch stuff before it becomes a wallet-buster. For me, it’s like paying for peace of mind (and fewer buckets in the bathroom).
I hear you on the peace of mind thing. I used to just eyeball my roof every spring and fall, figured if nothing looked wild, I was good. Then last year, a windstorm peeled back a corner shingle I never noticed was loose. Water got in and warped some drywall—wasn’t fun explaining that to the insurance folks. Now I still do my own checks, but I’ll call in a pro every couple years just to catch the stuff I miss. It’s not cheap, but neither is fixing soggy ceilings...
Now I still do my own checks, but I’ll call in a pro every couple years just to catch the stuff I miss. It’s not cheap, but neither is fixing soggy ceilings...
That’s the struggle, right? My wallet hates it every time I call in a roofer, but after I found a small leak behind the gutter (that I’d totally missed for months), I started budgeting for a pro inspection every few years too. Do you ever wonder if they’re just finding stuff to pad the bill, though? I mean, last time mine pointed out “granule loss” and I had to Google what that even meant. Still, cheaper than replacing half the attic insulation...
