That’s a good point about hidden moisture. I’ve seen roofs that looked fine from the ground, but once you’re up there poking around—especially near flashing or under old moss patches—it’s a different story. Flat roofs are notorious for this, but even pitched ones can hide trouble if you’re not careful. I’ve had tenants swear there’s no leak, only to find a slow drip that’s been soaking insulation for months.
Green roofs add another layer of complexity. They’re great for insulation and stormwater, but you really have to stay on top of root intrusion and drainage. I’ve had to bring in specialists with infrared cameras after heavy rains, just to make sure nothing’s brewing underneath. Regular walk-throughs help, but honestly, some issues only show up after a big weather event or when you start seeing interior signs—by then, it’s usually more expensive to fix.
Guess it comes down to knowing the weak spots and not trusting appearances too much. Sometimes the smallest thing—like a bit of moss or a loose shingle—can be the tip of the iceberg.
That’s honestly kind of reassuring to hear, since I always feel like I’m being a bit paranoid checking the attic after every big rain. I had no idea moss could be such a red flag until I started poking around last fall—just thought it looked kind of cool, honestly. Turns out, there was a tiny leak right under it that hadn’t made it inside yet. I’m still learning what to look for, but your point about not trusting appearances really hits home. It’s wild how something so small can turn into a huge headache if you miss it.
just thought it looked kind of cool, honestly. Turns out, there was a tiny leak right under it that hadn’t made it inside yet.
Funny how the “cool” moss is basically a neon sign for trouble, right? I see folks ignore it all the time—until they’re suddenly dealing with a soggy ceiling. You ever check the flashing around your chimney or vents? That’s where I find sneaky leaks most often, not just under moss. Sometimes the smallest patch of green is hiding a whole mess underneath.
- Totally agree about moss being a warning sign.
- I used to just brush it off (literally and figuratively), but after a small leak by my bathroom vent, I’m way more paranoid now.
- Flashing’s tricky—mine looked fine from the ground, but up close, there was a tiny gap.
- Noticed too that gutters backing up can make moss worse, especially after heavy rain.
- Anyone else find that some of those “cool” patches are just hiding rotten wood underneath? That was a nasty surprise for me last spring...
Yeah, those “cool” mossy patches are sneaky. I used to think they just made the roof look a little rustic, but turns out, they’re more like a neon sign for trouble. Had a spot over my porch that looked fine from below, but when I finally got up there (after putting it off for way too long), the plywood underneath was soft as a sponge. Ended up replacing a whole section—definitely not in the budget.
Gutters are another headache. I swear, every time I skip cleaning them, I pay for it later. Water backs up, moss goes wild, and then you get those weird leaks that seem to come from nowhere. Flashing’s another one—mine looked perfect until I poked at it and found a gap big enough for a mouse to squeeze through. Sometimes I wonder if roofs are just waiting for us to let our guard down.
Anyway, regular checkups have saved me a ton in the long run. Not fun, but way better than dealing with rot or surprise leaks in the middle of winter.
