Flex Seal definitely isn't a long-term fix, learned that the hard way myself. And good call on the attic checks—caught a leak early last spring just by noticing some weird discoloration up there after a storm. Saved me a ton of hassle down the road.
Flex Seal's alright for a quick patch-up, but yeah, definitely not something I'd trust long-term. Good catch on the attic discoloration—it's surprising how many leaks start small and go unnoticed until they're a big headache. I'd also recommend checking around chimney flashing and vent boots regularly. Those spots are notorious for sneaky leaks, even if your shingles look fine. Better safe than sorry...
"Good catch on the attic discoloration—it's surprising how many leaks start small and go unnoticed until they're a big headache."
Couldn't agree more with this. Had a similar experience last spring when we noticed just a tiny patch of discoloration in the corner of our guest room ceiling. Thought it was nothing major at first, but decided to get up there and check it out anyway. Turns out, water was sneaking in through cracked flashing around our chimney. Honestly, if we'd ignored it much longer, it could've turned into a real mess.
I know roof inspections can feel like an unnecessary expense when you're trying to keep costs down, but I've learned the hard way that catching these things early is way cheaper than dealing with mold remediation or structural damage later on. Flex Seal definitely has its place for quick fixes—I patched up a gutter leak with it once, worked fine—but for anything near vents or chimneys, I'd rather bite the bullet and get it done properly.
One other thing I've found helpful is keeping an eye out after heavy storms. Sometimes shingles or flashing can shift slightly, even if they look okay from ground level. If you're comfortable on a ladder (and careful!), it's worth taking a quick peek every now and then.
Anyway, glad you caught that attic spot early—sounds like you saved yourself some serious headaches down the road.
Definitely smart to check after storms, but I'd caution against climbing up there too often unless you're really comfortable with ladders and heights. Seen a few DIY inspections lead to more problems than they solved... Ever considered using binoculars or drones for a quick look instead?
Good point about safety—seen way too many close calls from homeowners thinking they're pros on ladders. Binoculars work alright, but honestly a decent drone is a game changer. Quick, easy, and you spot stuff you'd never catch from the ground. Worth looking into if you're serious about regular checks.
