That’s exactly how I feel about roof repairs, honestly. Tried to cut corners with a “budget” sealant one year—ended up with leaks after the first big rain. Lesson learned. Now I’m picky about materials and who I hire, even if it takes longer to schedule. Out of curiosity, do you handle your own roof inspections or bring in a pro? I always wonder if I’m missing something up there, even when I think I’m being thorough.
Roof Upkeep Through The Seasons—Did You See This?
Cutting corners on roof stuff is like playing roulette with your living room carpet—never ends well. I used to think I could spot every issue myself, but after missing a cracked flashing (and getting a surprise waterfall in the guest room), I’m all about bringing in a pro once a year. I’ll still poke around after storms, but those folks catch things I’d never even think to look for. Worth every penny, honestly.
That cracked flashing story hits close to home... I used to think a quick glance after a storm was enough, but there’s just so much you can miss if you don’t know what you’re looking for. It’s wild how something as small as a bit of lifted flashing or a missing shingle can turn into a huge headache. I totally get the value in having someone with a trained eye check things over. Still, I kinda wish there was a better way to learn what to look for—like, is there a checklist or something pros use? Sometimes I feel like I’m missing the obvious stuff.
Still, I kinda wish there was a better way to learn what to look for—like, is there a checklist or something pros use?
There actually are some pretty solid checklists out there, but finding one that’s not just generic can be tricky. I ended up making my own after watching a bunch of YouTube roof inspection videos (probably overkill, but I’m paranoid about leaks). Things like checking for popped nails, cracked caulk around vents, and even just looking for granules in the gutters helped me catch stuff early. Honestly, half the battle is getting up there with a flashlight and taking your time.
I used to just wing it every spring and fall, but after switching to a green roof setup, I had to get a lot more methodical. Those standard checklists miss stuff like drainage layer clogs or plant overgrowth, which can cause bigger headaches than a missing shingle. I started snapping pics with my phone as I went—helps track changes over time, especially with all the weird weather lately. Honestly, the flashlight trick is underrated. You spot way more issues that way, even in broad daylight.
