Sometimes you can overdo it and create more work than necessary (been there), but ignoring things can get expensive fast.
That’s the tightrope, isn’t it? I’ve seen folks rip up half their roof chasing a “maybe” leak, only to realize it was just condensation from a bathroom vent. On the flip side, I’ve also seen people slap some caulk on rusted flashing and hope for the best—six months later, they’re calling me because their ceiling looks like a water park.
Honestly, I’m always a little skeptical when someone says “it’s probably nothing.” If you’re seeing soft spots or that spongy feel, that’s not normal wear—that’s your house waving a red flag. But yeah, not every stain means disaster. Around here (Midwest), ice dams cause all sorts of weird marks that don’t always mean rot.
I do like your idea of tapping around with a screwdriver. That’s old school but it works. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said, “Just one more shingle…” and ended up with a full Saturday project. Sometimes you gotta trust your gut, but don’t let paranoia take over either.
That screwdriver trick is underrated—sometimes the simplest tools tell you the most. I’ve definitely been guilty of “just checking one more spot” and suddenly I’m knee-deep in shingles, wondering where my Saturday went. Around here (Great Lakes), I’ve noticed that what looks like a leak is often just frost sneaking in under the metal edging. Still, I’d rather poke around and find nothing than ignore it and end up with a soggy attic. There’s a fine line between being thorough and tearing up half your roof for no reason, though.
That screwdriver test is a lifesaver, but I’ve definitely gone overboard with it too. Last fall, I started poking around for a “tiny leak” and ended up pulling half the drip edge off before realizing the condensation was just from a cold snap. Around here (northern Indiana), frost and wind seem to find every gap. What I learned: check the attic first for wet spots, then work outside only where you see something suspicious. Saves a lot of shingles and time... but yeah, sometimes you just get carried away.
I’ve done the same—started with a screwdriver, ended up with a bigger project than planned. One thing that’s helped me: I use a cheap moisture meter in the attic before touching anything outside. It’s saved me from ripping up perfectly good shingles more than once. Those Indiana winters are brutal on roofs... condensation can look a lot like a leak if you’re not careful.
I get where you’re coming from with the moisture meter—definitely handy for tracking down attic dampness. But I’ve seen a fair number of false negatives with the cheap ones, especially in colder months. Sometimes by the time you spot condensation or a leak in the attic, the underlying issue outside has already gotten worse. Indiana winters are rough, but wind-driven rain or ice dams can sneak water in spots those meters just won’t catch.
Personally, I like to do a visual inspection up top first, even if it’s just a quick look from a ladder. You’d be surprised how often flashing or that metal edging starts to pull away after a freeze-thaw cycle. Found a tiny gap on my own place last year—no moisture inside yet, but it would’ve turned into a headache come spring.
Not saying skip the meter, but don’t trust it alone. Sometimes your eyes and a flashlight beat any gadget, especially with these unpredictable Midwest seasons...