You nailed it—flashing is the silent troublemaker. I’ve lost count of how many times folks call me out thinking their shingles failed, and it’s just a little piece of flashing that’s shifted or rusted through. It’s wild how something so small can cause such a mess. Around here, with the wind and rain we get, I always tell people to keep an eye on those spots, especially around chimneys and skylights. You’re ahead of the game if you’re already checking and upgrading—most wait until there’s water running down a wall.
Luck only gets you so far—especially when it comes to roofs and hurricanes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a “survived” roof turn into a leaky mess a month later, all because of some dinky piece of flashing that looked fine at first glance. Folks are always focused on the shingles, but honestly, those little metal bits around vents and chimneys are the real weak spots.
Funny thing is, I’ve seen brand new roofs fail just because the installer cheaped out on flashing or didn’t tuck it right. Doesn’t matter if you’ve got top-shelf shingles; if the flashing’s not solid, water finds a way. I get that most people don’t want to climb up there after every storm, but even just eyeballing from the ground for anything out of place can save you a headache.
One more thing—sometimes it’s not even rust or shifting, it’s wind-driven rain sneaking sideways under loose flashing. That’s the stuff insurance adjusters love to argue about. If your roof made it through this time, might be worth having someone check those trouble spots before next season rolls around… because luck definitely runs out eventually.
That’s what I’m worried about, honestly. My place is only a few years old, but after that last storm I noticed a bit of staining near the bathroom vent. Is it worth calling someone out just for that, or am I being too paranoid? Never thought to check the flashing from the ground—any tips on what to look for?
A little staining after a big storm isn’t something I’d just ignore, especially on a newer place. I had a similar thing happen—turned out the vent flashing was a bit loose. From the ground, look for any gaps, lifted edges, or spots where the metal looks bent or out of place. Binoculars help if you’ve got ‘em. If it keeps getting worse or you see drips, probably worth calling someone, but sometimes it’s just a quick caulk job. Better to be a little paranoid than end up with a soggy ceiling, right?
That’s a good point about checking the vent flashing—those spots are notorious for letting in water, especially after high winds. I’d add that even on newer roofs, sometimes the underlayment can get compromised if the wind drove rain up under the shingles. I usually check for any granule loss or odd discoloration too, since that can hint at a bigger issue brewing. It’s easy to overlook small stains, but in my experience, they rarely just go away on their own. Sometimes it’s just a minor fix, but I’d rather catch it early than deal with mold or rot down the line.
