Can’t argue with the moisture meter—it’s bailed me out a couple times, too. Sometimes those old layers really do hide trouble you’d never spot otherwise. I still tap around with a hammer out of habit, but tech helps catch what my boots miss.
I hear you on the moisture meter—worth every penny, even if I grumble about buying more gadgets. I still trust the old hammer tap too, but last year, I found a soft spot that sounded fine but was soaked underneath. Saved me a chunk of change catching it early. For me, I also run a pry bar along the seams just to check for hidden rot. It’s not fancy, but it’s caught stuff my tools missed. Sometimes low-tech plus a little tech is the way to go, especially when you’re watching the budget.
I’m with you on the pry bar trick—sometimes you just gotta get in there and see for yourself. I’ve had spots that looked fine, meter said dry, but the bar found mush. Honestly, I still end up crawling around tapping and poking everything... feels like a weird roof dance.
Honestly, I still end up crawling around tapping and poking everything... feels like a weird roof dance.
That “roof dance” is way more important than most folks realize. I’ve seen guys trust the moisture meter or just eyeball it, but like you said, sometimes the only thing that finds the rot is a good old-fashioned poke. I’m a big fan of the pry bar too, but I’ll admit, I probably go overboard with my inspection. I’ll tap every seam and edge, especially around valleys and chimneys—those spots always seem to hide the worst surprises.
One thing I’ve noticed is that even if the top layer looks solid, the underside can be a mess, especially on older decks with multiple layers of shingles over the years. I’ve started checking from the attic side when possible, just to see if there’s any daylight or staining. Not always practical, but it’s saved me from missing soft spots a couple times.
I do think there’s a limit to how much you can rely on tools. Meters are great for a quick check, but they don’t tell you about delamination or hidden mold. I’ve had plywood that looked and felt fine, but when I pried up a corner, it just crumbled. That’s why I’m a little skeptical when someone says “the deck’s good” without actually getting hands-on.
One thing I’m still figuring out is how aggressive to get with replacing questionable boards. Sometimes I feel like I’m pulling up more than I need to, but I’d rather do that than have a callback for a soft spot under new shingles. Maybe I’m too cautious, but I’d rather be safe than sorry, especially with how expensive materials are now.
Curious if anyone’s found a good balance between being thorough and not overdoing it? I always end up second-guessing myself when I see how much decking I’ve replaced compared to some of the old-timers.
Sometimes I feel like I’m pulling up more than I need to, but I’d rather do that than have a callback for a soft spot under new shingles.
Honestly, I think you’re on the right track. I’ve had my share of “should’ve replaced that board” moments, and it’s never fun dealing with callbacks or leaks after the fact. It’s easy to second-guess when you see others being less picky, but in the long run, your caution probably saves headaches (and money). Materials are pricey, but so is redoing work. Trust your gut—better safe than sorry.