Good point about safety. I had a similar dilemma last year after a big storm cracked some roof shingles. At first, I thought I'd wait it out to save money, but then a neighbor warned me about hidden water damage. Got an inspection done, and turns out there was moisture building up under the shingles—could've led to mold or worse structural issues. So yeah,
Better safe than sorry, even if you're budget-conscious like me."I'd probably lean toward at least getting an inspection done early...just to be safe."
Getting an inspection early definitely has its merits, but I'd caution against assuming inspections always catch everything. Even thorough inspections can miss subtle signs of damage, especially moisture trapped deep within insulation or framing. I've seen cases where initial inspections gave a clean bill of health, only for mold issues to surface months later. So while inspections are valuable, keep an eye out yourself for lingering odors or discoloration—sometimes your own observations can be just as crucial as a professional's assessment.
That's a really good point about inspections not catching everything. When we had that big storm a couple years ago, we got an inspection right away and felt pretty relieved when they said everything looked fine. But then, a few months later, I started noticing this weird musty smell in the guest room closet. At first, I thought it was just from being closed up too long or something minor like that, but it didn't go away even after airing things out.
Eventually, curiosity (and worry!) got the better of me, and I pulled back some of the carpet in there. Sure enough, there was mold underneath—nothing huge or catastrophic, thankfully—but still something the inspector completely missed because it was hidden under flooring and insulation. It wasn't a massive expense to fix since we caught it relatively early, but it definitely taught me to trust my instincts and pay attention to those little signs you mentioned.
I think your advice about keeping an eye (and nose!) out yourself is spot-on. Professionals are great for peace of mind and catching obvious issues, but nobody knows your home better than you do. Plus, if you're budget-conscious like me, catching these things early can save you from bigger headaches—and bigger bills—down the road.
Anyway, hang in there! Dealing with storm aftermath can feel overwhelming at first, but staying vigilant and proactive really does make a difference in the long run.
"Sure enough, there was mold underneath—nothing huge or catastrophic, thankfully—but still something the inspector completely missed because it was hidden under flooring and insulation."
That's a really interesting point. As someone who does inspections regularly, I can confirm that hidden moisture issues are notoriously tricky to detect without invasive methods. Out of curiosity, did you notice any other subtle signs besides the musty smell—like slight discoloration or changes in texture on walls or flooring? Sometimes those little clues can be surprisingly helpful...
"hidden moisture issues are notoriously tricky to detect without invasive methods."
Exactly this. Had a similar issue after a storm last year—no obvious signs at first, but noticed the flooring felt slightly softer underfoot in one corner. Pulled it up and found mold starting underneath. Ended up costing more than expected because we had to replace insulation too. Definitely pays to trust your gut if something feels off...
