Sometimes leaving well enough alone saves money in the long run—at least, that’s been my experience.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen minor issues turn into bigger headaches just because they went unnoticed for too long. It’s true, not every little thing needs fixing right away, but a quick visual check—especially after storms—can catch stuff like loose flashing or popped nails before water gets in. I wouldn’t say climb up there every month, but skipping checks altogether can backfire, especially if your area gets heavy rain or snow. For me, a once-a-year look (plus after any big weather) seems like a good balance.
- Had a small leak in my attic last year—turned out to be a nail that popped after a storm.
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“a quick visual check—especially after storms—can catch stuff like loose flashing or popped nails before water gets in.”
- Missed it for months, ended up with water stains and a bigger repair bill.
- Now I just walk around the house after heavy rain or wind. Not climbing up, just looking for anything weird.
- Once-a-year check is good, but storms can mess things up fast.
That’s actually a smart move, just doing a walk-around after storms. I’ve seen a lot of folks wait for the annual inspection and then get surprised by stuff that could’ve been caught way earlier. Did you notice any patterns with where the leaks happen? Sometimes it’s always around vents or valleys, but I’ve seen nails pop in random spots too. Curious if you ever thought about using binoculars for a closer look without climbing up—some homeowners swear by it. Either way, catching things early definitely saves money in the long run.
I started using binoculars after I tweaked my knee trying to get up on the roof last spring—definitely easier on the joints. For me, leaks always seem to start around the chimney flashing, but I’ve also found a couple of popped nails just above the gutters. It’s weird, because I thought those spots would be fine. Doing a quick scan after every big windstorm has saved me from some bigger repairs, for sure.
Doing a quick scan after every big windstorm has saved me from some bigger repairs, for sure.
You’re not wrong about the wind. I’ve seen shingles go flying like frisbees after a good gust, and half the time it’s the spots you’d never expect—right above the gutters, just like you said. Ever try using a drone for those checks? My knees are jealous of your binoculars...
