Totally agree with taking your time to diagnose the issue properly. I've seen plenty of cases where folks jump straight into a full tear-off, only to realize later they missed the real source of the leak. Temporary fixes aren't glamorous, but they can save you a lot of headaches down the line.
One thing I'd add is that weather conditions can really change how a leak behaves. Sometimes a quick patch holds up fine during lighter rains, but when a heavy storm hits, you see water coming in from a completely unexpected angle. Had a similar experience recently—thought I had the leak pinpointed, but after a big storm, it turned out water was sneaking in through flashing about three feet away from where I initially patched. Glad I didn't rush into replacing shingles right away...would've wasted time and materials.
Yeah, leaks can be sneaky like that...I spent hours chasing down what I thought was a roof leak, only to realize water was actually coming in around an attic vent during heavy rain. Lesson learned—always double-check before grabbing the tools.
Leaks around attic vents are indeed tricky, and I've had a similar experience myself. A couple of years ago, I noticed some water stains appearing on my ceiling after heavy rains. Naturally, my first thought was the roof shingles—so I spent a weekend carefully inspecting and patching up what seemed to be minor issues. But the next time it rained heavily, there were those stains again.
After some frustration and head-scratching, I finally traced the issue back to the attic vent flashing. Turns out, wind-driven rain can find its way into even small gaps around improperly sealed vents. The water would trickle down along the inside of the roof decking, making it seem like the leak was coming from elsewhere entirely.
In case anyone else encounters this, here's what worked for me: first, I carefully removed the old sealant around the vent flashing, cleaned everything thoroughly, and applied a generous bead of high-quality roofing sealant specifically designed for exterior use and weather resistance. Additionally, I checked the vent itself to ensure it was properly secured and undamaged—sometimes vents can warp or loosen over time, especially in regions with extreme temperature swings.
Another helpful tip is to inspect your attic during or immediately after heavy rain. It can be uncomfortable (and a bit cramped), but that's usually the best way to pinpoint exactly where water is entering. A flashlight and patience go a long way here.
It's always satisfying to finally track down these elusive leaks...even if it does take a bit of detective work. And yeah, double-checking before reaching for tools definitely saves time and effort in the long run.
Did you happen to check if your attic vent had a proper drip edge installed? Sometimes even good sealant won't stop water sneaking in if the flashing isn't directing water away correctly... learned that one the hard way myself.
Good point about the drip edge—I overlooked mine at first too and wasted hours sealing and resealing. Once I installed proper flashing, problem solved. You're definitely on the right track, hang in there... it'll feel great once it's sorted.
