My Roof Check Routine Saved Me Big Time - Anyone Else Tried This?

Good points about overlaps and sealants, but honestly, I've found that relying too heavily on sealants can sometimes mask underlying issues. A properly installed flashing shouldn't need much extra sealing - it's more of a backup than a primary defense. Learned this the hard way when I trusted sealant to fix a sloppy overlap job... ended up redoing the whole thing after one rainy season. Now I focus more on precise cuts and careful layering first, then use sealant sparingly as insurance.

Totally get your point on sealants - seen plenty of DIY jobs where someone went trigger-happy with the caulk gun, thinking it'd solve everything. But do you ever find even precise layering can shift over time? Curious if you've noticed any movement after a few seasons...

Yeah, even the best sealant job isn't bulletproof. I've done my share of careful layering, and after a couple years, weather always finds a way to shift things around - especially with temperature swings or heavy storms. Still, regular checks like you're doing make a huge difference. Catching those tiny shifts early on saves headaches down the line... learned that lesson the hard way when I skipped inspections one winter and ended up with a sneaky leak in spring. Keep at it, sounds like you're on the right track.

"weather always finds a way to shift things around - especially with temperature swings or heavy storms."

Totally agree with this. I've found that even the smallest temp swings can cause shingles to lift slightly, letting moisture sneak in. I started using binoculars from the ground every few months - cheap and saves climbing up constantly.

Binoculars can help, but honestly they're easy to miss small cracks or lifted edges. I've seen plenty of roofs look fine from the ground, then up close there's clear damage. Better to climb up occasionally or get a drone check once a year or so...