Flashing’s always the weak link for me, especially after a rough winter.
That hits home. I thought I was in the clear last spring—no visible issues, no drips, nothing. Then a random patch of ceiling started bubbling after a storm. Turned out the flashing around my old chimney had just enough of a gap to let water sneak in. Never would’ve caught it without poking around up there. Moisture meters are something I used to roll my eyes at, but now I keep one handy. You’re right about airflow too... sometimes you get that musty whiff, sometimes it’s radio silence until there’s real damage. Roofs love to keep us guessing.
Funny how roofs can look totally fine until they’re not. I had a similar thing happen with my garage—no leaks, no stains, then suddenly a soggy mess after a windy night. Turned out the flashing on the north side had pulled up just enough for water to sneak in. I’m with you on the moisture meter... used to think it was overkill, but now it’s like my secret weapon. Also, I started using recycled rubber flashing last year—supposed to hold up better in freeze-thaw cycles. Not perfect, but so far, fewer surprises.
Funny how roofs can look totally fine until they’re not.
That’s the truth. I’ve had a couple of buildings where the roof looked pristine from the ground, but a quick inspection told a different story. One time, I found a whole section of membrane on a flat roof that had started to bubble—no leaks yet, but it was just waiting for the next big rain. Ended up patching it before it turned into a nightmare.
I’m with you on the moisture meter. Used to think it was just another gadget, but after catching some hidden damp spots in an attic last winter, I’m sold. It’s saved me from having to rip out drywall more than once.
Interesting you mentioned recycled rubber flashing. I’ve tried it on a couple of properties—mixed results so far. It does seem to handle freeze-thaw better than aluminum, but I’ve noticed it can pull away if not installed just right. Still, fewer surprises is always good news.
Funny how much peace of mind comes from just getting up there and poking around every few months...
I hear you on the recycled rubber flashing. I tried it on a low-slope porch roof last year—held up fine through winter, but I did have to go back and reseal a couple corners where it started to curl. Still beats dealing with corroded aluminum in our climate. Funny how you can spot trouble just by poking at things with a screwdriver... found a soft spot near a vent last fall that would’ve been a real headache if I’d waited.
That screwdriver trick’s saved me more than once.
Last spring I found a mushy patch right where the gutter meets the eave—just from walking around and poking. Pulled up two shingles, saw the start of rot, and patched it up before it spread. It’s a hassle, but way cheaper than replacing a big chunk of decking. Rubber flashing’s held up for me too, but I still keep an eye on the corners—seems like nothing’s totally maintenance-free in this climate.Funny how you can spot trouble just by poking at things with a screwdriver... found a soft spot near a vent last fall that would’ve been a real headache if I’d waited.
