"Seen green roofs handle storms surprisingly well... maybe your roof had some hidden advantages you didn't realize?"
Could be onto something there. I've worked on roofs that looked like they'd barely survive a stiff breeze, yet somehow made it through hurricanes without a scratch. Sometimes it's not even the materials themselves, but how they're layered or angled. Like, I remember this one job where the homeowner had accidentally created a drainage system by patching leaks with random materials—looked like a mess, but it actually channeled water away perfectly. Weird, right?
Makes me wonder if your DIY patches unintentionally improved water runoff or wind resistance. Did you notice if the storm hit your roof from a particular direction? Sometimes the angle of attack can make all the difference between minor damage and total disaster.
That's interesting because I've seen similar things happen. A neighbor of mine had a roof that looked like a patchwork quilt—random shingles, some metal flashing here and there, even duct tape in spots (I kid you not). Everyone joked it'd be the first to go in a storm, but when we got hit last year, his roof held up better than most professionally done ones. Turned out those patches formed little channels that diverted water exactly where it needed to go.
Your DIY patches might've unintentionally created something similar, like tiny windbreaks or drainage paths. Sometimes imperfections actually help by disrupting airflow or redirecting runoff in unexpected ways. Did you notice any unusual water patterns around your property after the storm? Maybe areas that stayed surprisingly dry or wet spots you didn't expect...
Had a similar experience with my shed roof—patched it up quickly before a storm, nothing fancy, just overlapping shingles and some sealant. Afterward, noticed the water ran off differently, leaving some spots bone dry. Sometimes DIY randomness works surprisingly well...
I've seen plenty of DIY roof patches hold up surprisingly well, but honestly, luck does play a bigger role than most folks realize. Had a client once who proudly showed me his "temporary" fix—just some tar paper and roofing nails slapped on before a big storm. It held up great...until the next heavy rain exposed hidden leaks and rot underneath. Your quick fix might've redirected water flow nicely this time, but I'd still keep an eye on it long-term. Better safe than sorry.
Yeah, seen plenty of those quick fixes myself. Sometimes they hold up way longer than you'd expect, other times they're a ticking time bomb. Had a neighbor who patched his roof with duct tape and plastic sheeting—no joke—and it survived a nasty storm. But a month later, mold and rot were everywhere underneath. Did you check under the shingles or in the attic yet to see if there's hidden moisture or damage?
