- Totally get where you’re coming from. I was way more worried about the crawlspace at first, but then a couple of missing shingles after a windstorm had me rethinking priorities.
- Roof leaks are sneaky—mine dripped into a wall cavity and I didn’t notice until paint started bubbling.
- Still, I can’t help but check the crawlspace too... just in case. Maybe I’m paranoid, but water finds the weirdest ways in.
- Guess it’s a toss-up, but your point about starting at the top makes sense, especially with older roofs.
- Appreciate hearing real stories like this—makes me feel less clueless.
I’ve seen a lot of folks miss shingle damage after storms—sometimes it’s just one or two gone, but that’s all it takes for water to sneak in. Had a customer once who kept patching the crawlspace, only to realize the leak started way up at a cracked vent boot. Roof issues can be subtle but cause some real headaches down below if you’re not looking up first. I always tell people: start at the top, then work your way down... but yeah, I still peek in crawlspaces too, just in case.
start at the top, then work your way down... but yeah, I still peek in crawlspaces too, just in case.
That’s pretty much my routine too. I learned the hard way—kept patching drywall until I noticed a single missing shingle up top. On a tight budget, it’s way cheaper to catch those small roof issues early. Still, I always check gutters and flashing while I’m up there. Sometimes it’s not even the shingles but clogged gutters backing water under the roofline.
Sometimes it’s not even the shingles but clogged gutters backing water under the roofline.
Couldn’t agree more. I once spent a weekend chasing a “leak” in my living room, only to find out it was just water overflowing from a packed gutter and sneaking in behind the fascia. Lesson learned—now I check those gutters every season, even if they look fine from the ground. It’s wild how a $5 fix can save you hundreds down the line.
It’s wild how a $5 fix can save you hundreds down the line.
Ain’t that the truth. I used to be one of those “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” types, but after a raccoon found its way into my attic thanks to a loose gutter (don’t ask…), I’m now the proud owner of a $7 gutter scoop and a healthy dose of paranoia. It’s always the little stuff that sneaks up on you.
I’m curious—when you’re checking gear or doing your seasonal walkarounds, do you have a “must check” list? I’m always paranoid I’ll miss something obvious. I do the gutters, sure, but I’ve started glancing at the vent boots and flashing too, since I had a slow drip last year that turned out to be a cracked boot, not the roof itself. Felt like a detective, poking around with a flashlight and a garden hose.
I get what you mean about things looking fine from the ground. My neighbor swore his roof was perfect until a windstorm peeled back a shingle and he found a patch of rot underneath. Sometimes I think the only way to really know is to get up there, but my knees aren’t what they used to be. Anyone else just use binoculars or even a drone? I’ve been tempted, but worried I’ll crash it into the neighbor’s pool.
Also, for anyone in colder spots—do you bother with those gutter guards, or are they more trouble than they’re worth? I tried the cheap plastic kind and they clogged up with pine needles in about two weeks. Not sure if the pricier ones are actually better, or just a waste of cash.
Anyway, I’m all for the $5 fixes, but sometimes it feels like you need a $500 inspection just to find them. Maybe I’m just getting old and cranky, but I’d rather spend my money on pizza than plywood.
