Yeah, that's a good point. DIY checks definitely have their place, especially for spotting obvious stuff like missing shingles or clogged gutters. But you're right, sometimes the real trouble hides beneath the surface.
"I've had clients swear their roof was fine, then I pull out a chunk of rotten plywood from under perfectly decent-looking shingles..."
Haha, been there myself. A few years back, I climbed up thinking I'd just patch a small leak near the chimney. Looked totally minor from the outside. But once I peeled back a few shingles, I found a whole section of plywood practically turning into mulch. Water had been sneaking in for months, maybe even years, and I had no clue. Ended up having to replace a pretty big section—way more than I bargained for.
I think the trick with DIY roof checks is knowing when to call it quits and get a pro involved. If you're just looking for obvious signs after a storm or something, sure, a quick DIY inspection can save you some hassle. But if you're noticing weird leaks, sagging spots, or anything that just doesn't feel right, it's probably smarter to have someone experienced take a look. They know exactly where to poke around and what subtle signs mean trouble down the line.
Plus, there's the safety angle. I've seen neighbors wobbling around on steep roofs without proper gear, and honestly, it's nerve-wracking. Even if you're comfortable with heights, one slip can ruin your day (or worse). Pros have the right equipment and experience to stay safe up there.
Bottom line, DIY checks are useful for basic maintenance, but knowing your limits—and when to call in backup—is key. Learned that the hard way myself...
Totally agree on knowing when to tap out and call a pro. Last year I thought I'd fix a "small" leak myself—ended up slipping and nearly taking out the gutter on my way down. Lesson learned: roofs are sneaky and gravity always wins...
Glad you're okay—that could've ended a lot worse. Seen plenty of DIY roof fixes go sideways over the years. Quick tips from experience:
- Roof leaks rarely stay "small."
- Gravity doesn't negotiate.
- Pros have harnesses for a reason.
Good on you for knowing when to step back... that's half the battle right there.
Good points overall, but do you think harnesses are always necessary for quick inspections? I've done plenty of roof checks myself—carefully, of course—and never had an issue. Maybe it's more about knowing your limits and the roof's condition beforehand? Totally agree leaks rarely stay small though... learned that one the hard way when a minor drip turned into ceiling damage overnight. Curious if others have managed safe DIY checks without full gear.
