That screwdriver test is underrated. I’ve caught a few soft spots around skylights that way—always seems like the leaks start in places you’d never expect. I agree about rubber flashing holding up, but here on the coast, even that stuff starts to curl at the edges after a couple years. I’m a big fan of checking after every heavy storm, even if it’s just a quick walk around. It’s a pain, but way less hassle than dealing with mold or having to rip up half the roof later.
I agree about rubber flashing holding up, but here on the coast, even that stuff starts to curl at the edges after a couple years. I’m a big fan of checking after every heavy storm, even if it’...
- “I’m a big fan of checking after every heavy storm, even if it’s just a quick walk around.” — 100% agree there. After a nor’easter last year, I found a shingle lifted near the ridge vent that could’ve turned into a real mess.
- That screwdriver test is handy, but sometimes you can’t catch the tiny cracks until water’s already gotten in. I’ve seen leaks start at nail holes that looked fine from above.
- Rubber flashing’s decent, but salt air here eats it up faster than I’d like. Lately, I’ve been using metal flashing with sealant on edges—holds up better for me.
- Quick checks are annoying, sure, but way less trouble than fighting black mold... learned that the hard way two summers ago.
Metal flashing with a good bead of sealant really does seem to outlast rubber, especially near the ocean—salt air just chews through everything faster. I’ve had similar issues with nail holes looking fine but leaking after a big storm. Quick walkarounds are a pain, but honestly, catching something early beats tearing out drywall or dealing with mold. It’s wild how one loose shingle can spiral into a whole mess if you miss it.
Totally agree about catching stuff early. I used to think a quick look after storms was overkill, but after finding a tiny leak behind my chimney last winter, I’m sold. For anyone else new to this, I just walk the perimeter, check for popped nails or loose shingles, and peek in the attic for any wet spots. It’s not fun, but it beats dealing with soggy insulation or worse. Salt air’s brutal where I am too—metal flashing with sealant has held up way better than the rubber boots I tried first.
Metal flashing with sealant is definitely the way to go near the coast. I see a lot of folks try those rubber boots, but salt air just eats them up in a couple years. Have you noticed any corrosion on your metal yet, or is it holding up pretty well? Sometimes even galvanized stuff starts to pit if you’re right by the water.
Walking the perimeter after storms is smart, but I’d add—have you checked your gutters and downspouts for granule buildup? That’s usually the first sign shingles are starting to break down, even before you see anything obvious on the roof itself. I’ve seen people miss that and then get surprised by leaks later.
Curious if you’ve ever tried using a drone for inspections? Some of my clients have started doing that, especially with steep roofs or hard-to-reach valleys. It’s not perfect, but it can catch missing shingles or flashing issues you might not spot from the ground.
One thing I’d push back on a bit—sometimes folks focus on popped nails and loose shingles, but forget about vent pipes and skylights. Those seals dry out faster than you’d think, especially with UV exposure and salty air. Ever had trouble with those? I’ve seen more leaks around old skylight curbs than anywhere else.
And yeah, attic checks are huge. If you ever see staining on rafters or insulation, even if it’s dry, it’s worth tracing back to make sure there isn’t a slow drip somewhere. Sometimes it’s just condensation, but sometimes it’s a tiny leak that only shows up in certain wind directions.
What kind of shingles are you running? Some of the newer algae-resistant ones seem to hold up better near the coast, but they’re not cheap. Just wondering if you’ve noticed a difference since switching to metal flashing, or if you’re still seeing wear in other spots.
