ROOF SURVIVED HURRICANE, BUT WAS IT JUST LUCK?

I get where you’re coming from about checking the attic, but I’d argue it’s not always enough—especially after something as wild as a hurricane. Sometimes water can travel along rafters and show up way across the house from where it actually got in. I’ve seen cases where the attic looked totally dry, but then a week later, water stains popped up in a closet on the other side of the house. For me, I like to do a step-by-step check: outside for obvious damage, attic for hidden leaks, and then keep an eye on ceilings and walls for at least a week or two after. It’s not always obvious right away, unfortunately...

I get what you’re saying about water traveling in weird ways—seen it plenty of times. But honestly, I think sometimes folks overcomplicate things after a storm. If the attic’s dry and there’s no visible ceiling stains or musty smell, odds are you dodged a bullet this time. Not saying you shouldn’t keep an eye out, but I’ve seen people tear into drywall chasing “maybe” leaks that never show up.

That said, I do agree with this bit:

Sometimes water can travel along rafters and show up way across the house from where it actually got in.

I guess my take is: check the obvious spots, but don’t stress too much unless you see real signs. Otherwise you’ll drive yourself nuts poking around for problems that aren’t there... at least until the next big rain rolls through.

Luck or not, I’ve learned the hard way that sometimes a “dry” attic is just a patient one. Had a place look spotless for weeks after a storm, then bam—tiny brown ring on the ceiling months later. I agree, though, tearing into walls right away is overkill. I usually just keep a nose out for that musty smell and check the usual suspects after every big rain. Sometimes you really do just get lucky... but I don’t trust luck for long.

That “patient attic” line is spot on. I’ve seen so many folks breathe a sigh of relief after a big storm, only to have the roof’s little secrets show up months later. Sometimes it’s a faint stain, sometimes it’s that telltale musty whiff, and every once in a while, you get the full-blown drip right over your favorite chair. I always say, roofs are like old cars—just because it starts doesn’t mean there’s not a problem lurking under the hood.

I get why people want to avoid tearing into walls or ceilings right away. That’s a can of worms most folks don’t want to open unless they have to, and honestly, half the time you’re just chasing shadows. But I do think it’s worth poking around after a big storm, especially if you’ve got an older roof or weird flashing details. Even just pulling back some insulation in the attic to peek at the decking can save you a lot of drama later. I’ve found leaks that way that never showed up as stains for months.

Luck definitely plays a part, but I trust routine more than luck. I had one house with a 25-year-old asphalt shingle roof—looked fine from the ground, no shingles missing, but every time it poured, water would sneak in through a tiny gap around a vent. Took me forever to track it down because it only showed up as a faint smell at first. If I’d waited for an obvious stain, I’d have had mold city up there.

If you’re in a hurricane zone or just get a lot of rough weather, even a “survived” roof can have hidden issues. And sometimes, yeah, you just get lucky and everything’s fine. But I always tell folks, if your gut says something’s off, trust it. Your nose is usually right, and water is sneakier than you think.

That’s exactly why I push for modern roofing systems—especially green or metal roofs—over the old asphalt shingles. I get the hesitation with tearing things open, but honestly, if you’re in a storm-prone area, patching up the same old roof just feels like rolling the dice every year. Anyone here actually switched to a living roof or solar tiles after a close call? Curious if the peace of mind is worth the upfront hassle and cost.