Totally agree, chimney flashing is sneaky stuff. Had a similar issue a few years back—roof looked solid from the outside, but every heavy rain meant a mystery drip in the attic. Took forever to pinpoint it. Honestly, regular attic checks saved me more headaches than anything else. Roofs definitely have their own twisted sense of humor... just when you think you're good, they remind you who's boss.
You're spot on about chimney flashing—it really can be tricky to catch early. I've seen plenty of homeowners scratching their heads over mystery leaks, only to find out it was flashing all along. One thing that's helped me during inspections is to check the attic right after a heavy rain; water trails are easier to spot when they're fresh. Also, if you're comfortable getting up there, gently pressing around the flashing area can reveal hidden gaps or loose seals. Regular attic checks like you're doing are honestly one of the smartest moves you can make—catching these sneaky issues early saves a ton of stress (and cash). Roofs definitely have a way of keeping us humble, don't they? Glad you got it sorted eventually... sounds like you're on top of things now.
You're right about checking the attic after rain—that's saved me a few headaches too. I remember one job where the homeowner swore up and down the leak was from a skylight. We spent hours sealing and resealing that thing, but every storm, drip drip drip... finally, after a particularly heavy downpour, we climbed into the attic and traced fresh water trails straight back to—you guessed it—the chimney flashing. Turns out there was a tiny gap hidden behind some old sealant that only showed itself under heavy rain. Lesson learned: never underestimate flashing issues (or stubborn homeowners convinced it's something else, haha).
One other thing I've found helpful is keeping an eye on flashing during seasonal temperature swings. Metal expands and contracts more than you'd think, and sometimes those little gaps open up just enough in winter to let moisture sneak in. Roofs really do have their own sneaky personalities sometimes...
"Metal expands and contracts more than you'd think, and sometimes those little gaps open up just enough in winter to let moisture sneak in."
Yeah, learned that the hard way myself... Ever tried using that flexible flashing tape stuff? Wondering if it's worth the extra bucks or just another gimmick.
"Ever tried using that flexible flashing tape stuff? Wondering if it's worth the extra bucks or just another gimmick."
I've used it myself—honestly, it's decent but not a miracle fix. Definitely helps seal up smaller gaps, especially around vents and edges where things shift a lot. But if you've got bigger issues like significant expansion gaps or poor installation, tape alone won't cut it. I'd say it's worth it for minor preventive upkeep, but don't expect it to save you from more serious repairs down the line...
