ROOF SURVIVED HURRICANE, BUT WAS IT JUST LUCK?

Had something similar happen at my place a few years back. Thought we'd dodged a bullet after a big storm, roof looked fine from outside...but when I finally peeked in the attic weeks later, insulation was damp and moldy patches were starting. Definitely worth checking sooner rather than later.

Good call checking the attic - it's surprising how often people overlook that. I've inspected a bunch of homes post-storm that looked perfectly fine from the outside, only to find moisture trapped inside weeks later. Sometimes shingles can lift just enough during high winds to let water sneak in, then settle back into place afterward, making it seem like everything's good.

Also, keep an eye out for subtle signs like stains on ceilings or walls, or even a musty smell that wasn't there before. Mold can spread quicker than you'd think once it gets going. If you catch it early, it's usually a straightforward fix - just drying things out and replacing insulation. Wait too long though, and you're looking at bigger headaches and pricier repairs.

Definitely worth the quick look around inside - even if your roof seems to have held up fine. Better safe than sorry...

Good points about the attic - seen plenty of cases where folks thought they dodged a bullet, only to find hidden damage weeks later. Another sneaky spot is around vents and chimney flashing; wind-driven rain can squeeze through even tiny gaps. Ever checked those areas closely after a storm? I've found some pretty surprising leaks there, even when the shingles looked untouched...

Good catch on chimney flashing - seen plenty of leaks there myself. Another sneaky spot is under ridge caps; wind can lift them just enough to let water in without obvious damage. Ever pulled a few caps to check underneath after heavy storms?

Good point about ridge caps, but honestly, pulling them after every heavy storm might be overkill. I've had my roof for nearly 15 years, been through some nasty weather, and only checked under the caps maybe twice. Never found much more than a few damp spots that dried out quickly. I'd say unless you're seeing signs of trouble inside or noticing shingles lifting, it's probably safe to leave them alone... at least most of the time.

"I'd say unless you're seeing signs of trouble inside or noticing shingles lifting, it's probably safe to leave them alone... at least most of the time."

Pretty much agree with this. Checking ridge caps after every storm would drive most homeowners nuts, haha. Still, I'd recommend a quick visual inspection from the ground every now and then - especially after really big storms. If something looks off, then climb up for a closer look. Otherwise, trust your gut and enjoy not worrying too much about it. Roofs are tougher than we give 'em credit for sometimes.

If something looks off, then climb up for a closer look.

Pretty much on the same page here. Roofs are definitely tougher than most folks realize, but storms can be sneaky. Even if nothing obvious pops out, it doesn't hurt to glance up there once in a while - especially after something as intense as a hurricane. Had a neighbor whose roof looked fine from the ground, but when he finally went up months later, found a few shingles barely hanging on. Quick check now and then beats an expensive surprise later...

Good points overall, but I'd caution against everyone climbing up there themselves. Seen plenty of roofs that looked fine from below but had hidden soft spots or loose shingles that could easily cause a slip. Had a client once who thought his roof was solid after a storm - until he stepped on a weak spot and nearly went through. Thankfully, he caught himself, but it was a close call.

If you're comfortable and experienced enough to safely check it yourself, sure, go ahead. But if there's any doubt, it's worth getting someone who knows what they're doing to take a look. Roofs can be deceptive, especially after hurricanes. Better safe than sorry...and cheaper than an ER visit.

Totally agree - roofs can be sneaky. From the ground, everything looks peachy until you step up there and suddenly find yourself surfing on shingles. Had a tenant once who swore his roof was "rock solid" after a bad storm. Sure enough, one wrong step and he punched through like wet cardboard. Thankfully, just his pride got bruised. If you're not 100% confident, just call someone who climbs roofs for a living. Way cheaper than patching drywall...or your leg.

Haha, surfing shingles is right - been there, done that. Ever stepped on a roof you thought was solid and felt it flex under your foot? Instant heart attack moment. I remember my first storm inspection, thought I was being careful, but one loose shingle later and I was sliding down like a cartoon character. Managed to grab the gutter just in time...but man, gutters aren't meant for gymnastics, are they? Better safe than sorry, right?

I've had my share of close calls too, but honestly, gutters have saved me more times than I'd like to admit. Still, I wouldn't rely on them as a safety net - seen too many pull loose under weight. One thing I've learned over the years is that luck plays less of a role than you'd think. I've inspected roofs after hurricanes that looked untouched, only to find hidden structural issues underneath. Sometimes the shingles hold up fine, but the decking or fasteners are compromised. Had one job where the homeowner swore the roof was solid because it survived a storm without losing a single shingle. But when we got up there, half the plywood decking was warped and nails were popping out everywhere. So yeah, your roof might've survived the hurricane, but I'd still recommend a thorough inspection. Better to catch those hidden issues early than deal with bigger headaches down the road...

Totally agree about hidden damage. After a big storm last year, my neighbor bragged his roof was untouched - no shingles missing or anything. But a month later, he found water stains on the ceiling...turns out the flashing around his chimney had loosened just enough to let rain seep in slowly. Sneaky stuff.

"turns out the flashing around his chimney had loosened just enough to let rain seep in slowly. Sneaky stuff."

Yep, flashing is definitely one of those sneaky culprits that can fool you into thinking everything's fine. I've seen this happen more times than I care to count - roof looks perfect from the ground, but hidden issues are quietly brewing.

If you've recently had a big storm pass through, here's what I'd suggest doing (even if your roof looks totally fine):

1. **Check your attic first**: Grab a flashlight and look for any signs of moisture or staining on the underside of your roof decking. Sometimes water doesn't make it all the way down to your ceiling right away, so catching it early can save you a headache later.

2. **Inspect flashing closely**: Chimneys, skylights, vents - these are prime suspects. Flashing can shift slightly during high winds without being obviously damaged. If you're comfortable climbing up there safely, great; if not, it's worth calling someone who is.

3. **Look at gutters and downspouts**: Storm debris can clog them up fast, causing water to back up under shingles or fascia boards. A quick clean-out after storms is always a good idea.

4. **Keep an eye on ceilings and walls for weeks afterward**: Like your neighbor found out the hard way, water damage doesn't always show itself immediately. It can take weeks or even months before stains appear.

Funny story (well...funny now): A few years back I managed a property where tenants insisted their roof was "perfectly fine" after a hurricane passed through. No visible damage at all from outside. But about two months later they called me in a panic because their bedroom ceiling had developed a suspiciously large brown spot overnight - turned out wind-driven rain had gotten under some loose flashing around their vent pipe and slowly soaked through insulation until it finally showed itself.

Moral of the story? Never trust appearances alone when it comes to roofs after storms - they're masters of deception!

Good tips overall, but honestly, climbing up to check flashing yourself after a storm might not be the best move for everyone. Even if you're comfortable with heights, wet roofs can be deceptively slippery...might be safer to call a pro instead. Just my two cents.

Yeah, gotta agree with you there. I learned that lesson the hard way last year - thought I'd just hop up real quick after a storm to check things out. Roof looked fine from below, but once I was up there, it was slicker than an ice rink. Nearly slid right off...not my proudest moment. Now I just wait till things dry out or call someone who knows what they're doing. Better safe than sorry, right?

"Roof looked fine from below, but once I was up there, it was slicker than an ice rink."

Yikes, glad you're okay. I've been tempted to climb up myself after storms, but as a new homeowner I'm always wondering - how do you even know what to look for up there? Seems risky without experience...

Honestly, climbing up on your roof after a storm isn't worth the risk if you're not used to it. You'd be surprised how much you can spot safely from the ground with binoculars - or even better, just get a drone up there. Way safer, and you'll still catch most issues.

"You'd be surprised how much you can spot safely from the ground with binoculars - or even better, just get a drone up there."

Fair point about drones, but aren't they kinda tricky to fly in windy conditions right after a storm? I've never used one myself, but I've heard stories about drones getting tossed around or lost in bad weather... Has anyone actually tried this method successfully post-storm? Curious if it's really as practical as it sounds.

Fair point about drones, but aren't they kinda tricky to fly in windy conditions right after a storm? I've never used one myself, but I've heard stories about drones getting tossed around or lost...

Drones can definitely be tricky right after a storm, especially if winds haven't fully died down yet. I've flown mine a few times post-storm to check my roof and gutters, and honestly, it's doable but nerve-wracking. You really need a drone with decent stabilization and GPS lock - otherwise, yeah, it's easy to lose control or crash. I'd say binoculars are safer for quick checks, but drones do give you way better detail if you're careful and patient enough to wait for calmer conditions.

Yeah, drones can be a bit sketchy right after storms. I've flown mine a couple times to check shingles and flashing, and even with GPS lock, gusts can still catch you off guard. One time I thought the wind had died down enough, but halfway up it started drifting sideways pretty hard - had to bring it down quick before it ended up in my neighbor's yard. Binoculars are definitely safer for a quick glance, but if you're trying to spot smaller issues like lifted shingles or damaged flashing, drones really do help. Just gotta pick your moment carefully and maybe practice flying in calmer conditions first so you're comfortable handling unexpected gusts.