That’s a fair point—no inspection catches everything, but it’s definitely better than nothing. I’ve had inspectors spot things like missing drip edge or poorly done valleys that I never would’ve noticed. Sometimes you just have to accept a little uncertainty, but at least you’re not flying blind.
I’ve had inspectors spot things like missing drip edge or poorly done valleys that I never would’ve noticed.
- Totally agree with “at least you’re not flying blind.”
- Just last month, I checked a roof that looked fine from the ground, but up close, the flashing was barely holding on.
- Even the best inspection can miss stuff, but I’ve seen small fixes make a huge difference when storms hit.
- Sometimes it’s luck, but usually it’s those little details—like a missing drip edge—that decide if you get a leak or not.
I get what you’re saying about the small stuff making a big difference. When we bought our place last year, the inspector pointed out a missing kick-out flashing I never would’ve noticed. Looked fine from the yard, but up close, water was already staining the siding. Made me wonder—how often do folks actually go up and check after storms? Is it just me who’s a little paranoid now, or is that normal?
“Made me wonder—how often do folks actually go up and check after storms? Is it just me who’s a little paranoid now, or is that normal?”
It’s not just you. After any big storm, I always do a walkaround and check the roof from as many angles as I can. Sometimes I’ll get up there if something looks off, especially around flashings and vents. It’s surprising how much damage can hide in plain sight—missing kick-out flashing is a classic example. Honestly, catching those small issues early has saved me a lot of money over the years. Paranoia? Maybe, but it beats dealing with rot later.
Luck’s part of it, but I wouldn’t count on it every time. After hurricanes, I always tell folks to do a quick check—even if everything looks fine from the ground. I’ve seen roofs that looked untouched, but when I got up there, a few shingles were loose or a vent cap was half off. One time, a customer thought their roof was perfect after a big storm, but water started dripping in the attic a week later. Turned out a tiny branch had wedged under a shingle and made a gap you’d never spot unless you were right up there.
Here’s what I usually do: walk the perimeter first, look for anything obvious like missing shingles or debris. Then, if it’s safe, I’ll get up and check around chimneys, skylights, and the edges—those spots take a beating. Even if you’re not comfortable climbing up, binoculars from the ground can help. I get why it feels paranoid, but honestly, a little caution now saves a lot of hassle (and money) down the road. Sometimes it’s just a nail popped up or a shingle corner lifted, but that’s all it takes for water to sneak in.