Yeah, brittle shingles are a clear no-go for DIY. If they're crumbling underfoot, you're risking more than just your pride up there... I'd suggest checking the flashing and valleys too—those areas usually show damage first and can clue you in before things get crunchy.
Good points about the flashing and valleys—those spots definitely tend to give early warnings. I've seen roofs where the shingles looked decent from the ground, but once you got up close, the flashing was already compromised and letting moisture in. Brittle shingles are a clear indicator, but sometimes the subtle signs around chimneys or vent pipes can be just as telling.
One thing I'd add is to check the attic space too, if possible. Sometimes you'll spot water stains or mold growth there before anything obvious shows up outside. DIY roof work can be rewarding, but knowing when to step back and call in a pro is crucial. Sounds like you're already thinking along those lines, which is smart. Better safe than sorry when you're dealing with heights and structural integrity...
Checking the attic is definitely helpful, but how reliable is it really? I've seen cases where the attic looked spotless, yet moisture was already seeping under shingles and causing hidden damage. Mold or stains might take a while to show up visibly inside. Maybe relying too heavily on attic checks could give a false sense of security? I'd still trust a close-up inspection of flashing and shingles more than anything else...
Had a similar experience when I bought my first place. The attic looked totally clean, no visible stains or mold, and I figured I was good to go... until a few months later when I found out water had been sneaking under the shingles and causing rot. Turns out the attic check alone wasn't enough to catch that. Honestly, getting up there and inspecting shingles and flashing closely made a huge difference for me. I ended up spotting some cracked shingles and loose flashing that the attic inspection completely missed.
Guess what I'm saying is, attic checks can help, but they're not foolproof. If you're debating whether your roof is safe enough for DIY repairs or needs professional attention, take my advice—don't trust the attic alone. Get up there (carefully!) and have a good look at the shingles and flashing directly. Better yet, if you're not confident about what you're seeing, it might be worth calling someone who knows roofs better than we do.
"Honestly, getting up there and inspecting shingles and flashing closely made a huge difference for me."
Yeah, learned this the hard way myself. I thought my roof was fine 'cause it looked decent from the ground, but when I finally climbed up there, found a bunch of shingles curling at the edges. Ended up having to call someone anyway. Curious though—how do you guys decide when it's worth patching things yourself versus just biting the bullet and hiring a pro? Seems like a tricky call sometimes...
