Ever tried using a moisture meter along the seams? I’ve found it picks up stuff my nose misses, especially with green roofs where things stay damp longer.
- Totally agree, scanning’s good but hands-on is where you catch the weird stuff, especially after a storm rolls through.
- I’ve used a moisture meter a few times—mixed results for me. On regular shingles, it’s decent, but with green roofs or thick membrane setups, sometimes I get false positives. Maybe it’s just my cheap meter though.
- Usually go by feel and look, but if something seems off (like soft spots or odd discoloration), I’ll break out the meter just to double-check.
- Flashing’s always a trouble spot. I’ve seen leaks hide there even when everything looks fine on the surface.
- Props for being thorough. Most folks skip the “poke around” step and then wonder why stuff gets missed.
Honestly, nothing replaces just getting up close. Tech helps, but it’s not magic—at least not yet...
I’ve had more than a few run-ins with those “magic” meters—sometimes they’re spot on, other times they’re just screaming at a wet leaf stuck under the membrane. Had one job where the meter was going nuts, but it turned out to be a cold sandwich someone left up there (don’t ask). I still trust my boots and a screwdriver more than any gadget. Flashing, though… that’s where the real hide-and-seek happens. If you ever find a meter that can sniff out a sneaky flashing leak every time, let me know. Until then, it’s all about poking around and getting your hands dirty.
I still trust my boots and a screwdriver more than any gadget.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ll admit those gadgets have saved me a headache or two. Last year, I had a leak that just wouldn’t show itself—no visible water, no stains, just a weird smell in the attic. The inspector whipped out one of those meters and, sure enough, found a wet patch under the insulation. Was it perfect? No, but it pointed us in the right direction. I’m not saying I’d trust them over a good old-fashioned look, but sometimes they’re worth the extra check, especially if you’re paying for peace of mind.
Those meters and thermal cameras aren’t magic bullets, but I’ve seen them catch stuff you’d never spot with just a flashlight and a ladder. Especially with green roofs or heavily insulated assemblies—moisture can hide for months before you see any surface signs. I still think hands-on inspection is critical (you can’t beat actually feeling for soft spots or checking fasteners), but the tech fills in the gaps, especially when you’re dealing with complex layers or trying to avoid unnecessary tear-offs.
Had a job last winter where we suspected a slow leak under a sedum mat. No visible damage, but the humidity readings were off. Pulled out the moisture meter and, sure enough, found a saturated patch right above a seam. Saved us from ripping up half the roof just to find it.
I get the skepticism—gadgets can give false positives if you don’t know how to interpret them. But as long as you use them alongside traditional methods, they’re another tool in the box. Just don’t let them replace common sense or experience.
I still think hands-on inspection is critical (you can’t beat actually feeling for soft spots or checking fasteners), but the tech fills in the gaps, especially when you’re dealing with complex layers or trying to avoid unnecessary tear-offs.
That’s spot on. Had a commercial job last fall—EPDM over foam insulation, tons of penetrations. Thermal cam flagged a weird cold spot we’d have never found by poking around. Turned out to be a half-rotted deck section under the HVAC curb. Would’ve missed it just eyeballing. Still, I trust my boots-on-the-roof instincts more than any gadget. Tech’s great, but nothing replaces crawling around and getting your hands dirty.
