Never hurts to poke around a bit more if you spot a dip.
Couldn’t agree more on that. I’ve been burned by those “just a little sag” spots before—turned out to be a full-on rot party underneath. Cheap meters are like flipping a coin, honestly. I’ll use one for a quick scan, but if I see a dip or feel soft decking, I’m grabbing the pry bar. Nothing beats actually looking under the hood, so to speak.
I hear you on those cheap meters—they can be so hit or miss. I’ve seen folks trust them too much and miss some nasty surprises. If I’m even a little suspicious, I’ll pull up a shingle or two. It’s wild how much damage hides under a tiny dip, especially after a rough winter.
I’ve definitely seen those cheap meters give folks a false sense of security. Last spring, I checked a place where the meter barely registered anything, but when I lifted a shingle, the decking underneath was soft as a sponge. Sometimes you just have to trust your gut and dig a little deeper, especially after a rough freeze-thaw cycle. It’s amazing how much can hide in plain sight.
That’s a good point about trusting your gut. I’ve used those meters too, but sometimes I wonder if they’re just not sensitive enough for older roofs. Have you ever found issues that only showed up after a heavy rain? I’m always nervous about missing something, especially since my attic’s not easy to get into.
Have you ever found issues that only showed up after a heavy rain?
Definitely. Some leaks only make themselves known after a real downpour, especially on older roofs. I’ve seen spots look bone dry for months, then suddenly you get a drip right above the attic hatch. Those meters can miss stuff if the water’s not actively present—sometimes you just have to trust your instincts (and maybe a flashlight and some patience). Tight attics are the worst, though... I’ve crawled through more insulation than I care to remember.
