Had the same thing happen after a nor’easter a few years back—roof looked fine but I kept hearing this weird drip in the wall. Turns out, a tiny nail popped up and let water in just enough to stain the ceiling over time. I get why folks trust a roof that “looks good” from the ground, but man, that’s a gamble. I’d rather crawl around up there twice a year than deal with soggy insulation again. Sometimes I wonder if these roofs are tougher than they look, or if we’re just pushing our luck every storm season...
- Visual checks from the ground can miss a lot, especially after big storms.
- Nail pops are a classic weak spot—tiny, but they let water sneak in over time.
- Even if shingles look fine, flashing and sealant around vents, chimneys, etc. are common leak sources.
- I always recommend:
- Spring/fall roof walk (careful up there—use a harness if it’s steep).
- Check attic for damp insulation or staining after heavy rain.
- Look for granule loss in gutters—can signal shingle wear even if they’re lying flat.
- Some roofs hold up better than expected, but honestly, a lot of “survived” roofs have hidden issues that show up months later.
- Insurance adjusters sometimes miss subtle storm damage too, so documenting right after a storm helps.
- I’ve seen folks go years with slow leaks before ceiling stains finally show up... by then, you’re looking at drywall and insulation repairs, not just shingles.
- It’s not all luck, but regular checks definitely stack the odds in your favor.
Had a similar situation after Irma a few years back—roof looked totally fine from the yard, not a shingle out of place. Figured I got lucky. Fast forward six months and I started noticing a faint musty smell in one of the bedrooms. Turns out, water had been sneaking in around a vent pipe where the sealant cracked. Never would’ve caught it just looking up from the driveway.
“Even if shingles look fine, flashing and sealant around vents, chimneys, etc. are common leak sources.”
That part really hits home. I used to think if the shingles weren’t curled or missing, I was good. Now I always check the attic after a big storm, even if everything looks okay outside. Found a little staining on the rafters once that saved me a ton of hassle down the road.
Not sure it’s all luck, honestly. Some roofs just hide their problems better. But yeah, those “hidden” leaks can be a real pain—by the time you see a stain on the ceiling, it’s already a bigger job than you want.
I get where you’re coming from about “hidden” leaks. It’s easy to assume a roof’s fine if the shingles look intact, but honestly, that’s just one piece of the puzzle. I’ve seen plenty of cases where the shingles are perfect, but the flashing or sealant around penetrations like vent pipes, skylights, or chimneys is failing. Water finds the smallest gap and just works its way in over time.
I wouldn’t chalk it up to pure luck, though. Some roofs are just built or maintained better than others, and sometimes the issues are subtle—like a hairline crack in the sealant or a nail that’s backed out just enough to let water seep in. After a big storm, I always recommend checking the attic for any signs of moisture or staining, even if you don’t see anything outside. It’s not overkill; it’s just being thorough.
One thing I’ve noticed is that older roofs, especially those with multiple layers of shingles or older flashing, tend to hide problems better. The water can travel along the underlayment or rafters before it finally shows up as a stain inside. By then, you’re dealing with insulation damage, maybe even mold. That musty smell you mentioned is usually the first sign something’s off.
I’m a bit skeptical about the idea that you can ever be 100% sure just by looking from the ground. Even drone inspections miss stuff sometimes. Getting up there (safely) or hiring someone to do a close-up check after major weather is worth it, especially if your roof’s pushing 15-20 years.
It’s not always about luck—it’s about catching small issues before they turn into big ones. And yeah, sometimes you just get unlucky with where the wind hits or how the rain drives in sideways... but regular checks make a huge difference. I’d rather spend an hour poking around than deal with drywall repairs and mold remediation later.
That’s a good point about the attic checks. I used to just look for missing shingles from the driveway and figured that was enough—until we found a water stain on a bedroom ceiling months after a storm. Turned out the flashing around an old vent stack had cracked. The shingles were fine, but water was sneaking in every time it rained hard. Since then, I always poke around the attic after big storms, even if everything looks okay outside. It’s not always obvious where water will find its way in, especially with older roofs.
