Funny you mention that—last winter I actually caught a leak early because I noticed this weird musty smell in the guest room closet. Didn’t see any stains at first, but sure enough, a week later there was a faint yellow ring on the ceiling. Turns out a shingle had slipped near the vent pipe. I’m always surprised how subtle the first signs can be... sometimes it’s just a draft or even a creaky sound after heavy rain. Makes me wonder how many folks miss those little hints until it’s too late.
Turns out a shingle had slipped near the vent pipe. I’m always surprised how subtle the first signs can be...
I get what you mean about those subtle signs. I always thought a leak would be obvious, but last year I only caught mine because I felt a cold draft in the hallway after a storm. No water stains, just that weird chill. Ended up finding a cracked shingle above the attic.
Do you guys do any kind of step-by-step check after winter? I usually start by looking for missing shingles from the ground, then check the attic for damp insulation or musty smells. Not sure if that’s enough, though... Anyone ever skip the attic and just rely on visual checks?
- Skipping the attic check is tempting, but honestly, it’s where most of the “sneaky” stuff starts. I’ve seen plenty of roofs look fine from the ground, but mold or rot’s already setting in up top.
- Visual checks are good for catching the big stuff—missing shingles, obvious dips—but they miss the early warning signs.
- My quick routine (for what it’s worth):
• Walk around outside—look for shingle edges curling, flashing that’s out of place, or piles of granules in the gutters.
• Peek in the attic right after a heavy rain or during a thaw. Damp insulation, weird smells, or even sunlight peeking through—never good news.
• Don’t forget around vent pipes and chimneys... those spots love to leak at the worst times.
Honestly, I’ve learned not to trust just my eyes outside. Had a customer swear their roof was fine till we found a little drip line by a bathroom vent in the attic—turned out to be a slow leak from a cracked boot. If you’re gonna skip something, skip climbing ON the roof unless you’re comfy with heights... but don’t skip that attic peek if you want to catch things early.
I’ll admit, I used to be one of those “if it ain’t leaking, it’s fine” types—until a few years back when I got burned. We had a rental with a roof that looked totally solid from the outside. No missing shingles, no sagging, nothing obvious. But tenants started mentioning this musty smell upstairs after a wet spring. I figured maybe it was just old carpet or something minor.
Nope. Popped my head into the attic and found insulation that looked like it’d been through a swamp. Turns out, there was a tiny gap around one of the vent pipes—just enough for water to sneak in during heavy rain. The wood up there was already starting to get soft in spots. If we’d waited another season, I’m pretty sure we’d have been looking at a full-on mold remediation job.
I get why people skip the attic check—it’s awkward, sometimes cramped, and honestly not fun if you’re tall or claustrophobic (guilty on both counts). But after that mess, I make it part of my spring routine for every property. Even just five minutes with a flashlight can save you thousands down the line.
One thing I’ll add: in our area (Midwest), ice dams are brutal some winters. Even if your roof looks perfect from below, those dams can push water up under shingles and into places you’d never expect. Attic checks right after a thaw are when I’ve caught most issues early.
Not saying everyone needs to crawl around up there every month, but skipping it altogether is rolling the dice. Outside checks are good for peace of mind, but they just don’t tell the whole story—especially with older roofs or weird weather swings.
Funny enough, I’ve had more trouble with “invisible” leaks than big obvious ones over the years. The little stuff sneaks up on you...
Even just five minutes with a flashlight can save you thousands down the line.
Couldn’t agree more with this. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen folks shocked by what’s lurking up there, especially after a rough winter. The attic is like the “check engine” light for your roof—ignore it and you’re asking for trouble. I get that it’s not exactly a fun Saturday activity (I’m not a fan of cobwebs in my hair either), but it really does pay off.
You mentioned the Midwest ice dams—those things are sneaky. I’ve inspected homes where everything looked pristine from the street, but up top, you’d find water stains creeping along rafters or rusty nails poking through insulation. Sometimes it’s just a little drip around a vent pipe, other times it’s a whole section of decking starting to rot. The worst part is, by the time you notice anything inside, like that musty smell or a stain on the ceiling, the damage has usually been going on for months.
One thing I’d add: even newer roofs aren’t immune. I’ve seen brand new asphalt shingles with poor flashing jobs around chimneys or skylights—water finds those gaps fast, especially with all the freeze/thaw cycles we get. Doesn’t matter if your shingles are still under warranty if the leak’s coming in around a pipe boot that wasn’t sealed right.
I know some people rely on those drone flyovers or just binoculars from the ground, but honestly, nothing beats poking your head into the attic after a big melt or heavy rain. Look for dark spots on wood, damp insulation, rusty nails, or any weird smells. If you catch it early, sometimes all you need is a tube of caulk or a new vent collar instead of tearing out drywall and insulation later.
Not saying everyone has to become an attic spelunker, but skipping it year after year is just asking for surprises... and not the good kind.
