A lot of people assume a new roof means zero worries, but honestly, even fresh installs can have issues if the flashing isn’t sealed right or if there’s a minor defect in the shingles. Saw it more than once—brand new roof, first storm, and suddenly there’s water by a vent or a ridge cap. Sometimes it’s not just about maintenance after the fact, but catching install errors early. Even “perfect” jobs can get tripped up by a bad batch of materials or just plain bad luck with wind direction. It’s frustrating, but worth double-checking those details before and after storms.
I’ve seen this exact thing happen—brand new roof, everything looks solid, then a sideways rain exposes a missed nail or a flashing corner that wasn’t tight.
Last year, I did a tear-off and install for a client, and even after double-checking, a shingle near the ridge had a tiny crack from the factory. Didn’t catch it until water tracked in during a freak windstorm. If you want peace of mind, walk the roof after install, check the attic for any signs of moisture after storms, and don’t assume “new” means “perfect.” Sometimes it’s not luck, just a matter of catching those little things early.“Saw it more than once—brand new roof, first storm, and suddenly there’s water by a vent or a ridge cap.”
“If you want peace of mind, walk the roof after install, check the attic for any signs of moisture after storms, and don’t assume ‘new’ means ‘perfect.’”
That’s the part that always gets me—folks think a new roof is like a new car, just drive it off the lot and you’re golden. But roofs are more like… I dunno, a jigsaw puzzle you hope nobody sneezed on during assembly. I’ve seen a couple “perfect” installs where a single nail was just a hair off, and then bam, first sideways rain and you’re chasing drips in the attic.
I’m curious—how many people actually get up there and check after a big storm? I know most homeowners aren’t climbing ladders, but even just poking your head in the attic can save you a world of trouble. I’ve found water stains weeks after a storm, and by then it’s already started to mess with the insulation.
Also, anyone else notice that factory defects are way more common than they used to be? I had a bundle last fall where three shingles had cracks right out of the wrapper. Didn’t spot it until I was halfway done. Makes me wonder if it’s worth paying extra for “premium” shingles or if it’s all just luck of the draw.
And about flashing—why is it always the flashing? You can do everything right, but if that corner isn’t tight or the caulk shrinks up, water finds its way in. Is there a trick to getting that stuff to stay put long-term? Or is it just regular maintenance and hoping for the best?
I guess my take is, luck plays a part, but so does being a little paranoid. If you’re checking after every big storm, you’ll catch most problems before they turn into disasters. But yeah, sometimes it feels like the roof gods just roll the dice...
“don’t assume ‘new’ means ‘perfect.’”
That’s what surprised me after moving in. I figured a new roof meant I could relax, but then we had a heavy rain and I noticed a damp patch in the attic. Is it normal for small leaks to show up even with a recent install? Or did I just get unlucky?
Honestly, I kinda thought the same thing when my folks got a new roof put on last year. You’d think “brand new” means you’re set for a while, but turns out... not always. Sometimes it’s just a tiny spot that didn’t seal all the way, or maybe a nail missed the mark and left a sneaky hole. Even pros can miss stuff, especially on complicated roofs or if the weather turned while they were working.
I wouldn’t say it’s “normal” to have leaks right away, but it’s not super rare either. Sometimes flashing isn’t lined up right, or there’s a problem where two roof slopes meet. One of my neighbors had a similar thing—brand new shingles, but then water started coming in around the chimney during the first big storm. Ended up being a tiny gap in the flashing.
Probably worth having someone check it out before it gets worse. If it’s under warranty, most companies will send someone to patch it up. Kinda annoying, but at least you’re catching it early and not after a full-on drip party in your attic.
