Even a Home Inspector’s Home Is Subject to Water Intrusion

As a home inspector, I spend a lot of time climbing into attics, checking roofs, and looking for signs of moisture intrusion. I’ve inspected hundreds of homes, and you’d think that would give me an advantage when it comes to my own. Most people assume that because I do this professionally, my home must be problem-free. But homes have a way of staying humble — even to the people trained to inspect them.

Recently, during a routine trip into my attic, I noticed something I’ve seen many times in other people’s homes but wasn’t expecting in my own. As I moved between the rafters, a dark stain on the underside of the OSB roof sheathing caught my eye. At first, I dismissed it as dust or age discoloration, but the more I looked, the more familiar the pattern became. This wasn’t random — it looked exactly like the moisture tracks left behind from a past roof leak. The vertical dark streaks, the concentrated blackening around nail points, the water-stained joists below… it all told a story. A story I’ve read dozens of times in attics across Georgia — only this time, I was standing inside my attic.

It was a good reminder that water intrusion doesn’t discriminate. You can maintain your roof, clean your gutters, and keep up with repairs, and still have a loose fastener, a lifted shingle, a failed nail seal, or a cracked roof boot. Sometimes the smallest vulnerability is all it takes for water to sneak in. And because most homeowners rarely crawl into their attic, leaks can dry up, leave their marks, and go unnoticed for years.

The attic is where the truth lives. From inside the home, everything can look perfectly fine. No ceiling stains, no bubbling paint, no dripping. But above that ceiling — on the underside of the roof deck — the real story is written. That’s where past leaks leave evidence. That’s where water tracks form, where fungal staining can develop, where decking begins to show wear long before it becomes visible inside the living space. And that’s exactly what happened in my home. Fortunately, I didn’t find any active moisture, but the evidence of a past leak was clear.

In my inspections, I often see the same causes: nail pops, deteriorated shingles, failed fasteners on metal roofing, ridge vent issues, damaged flashing, or simple wind-driven rain pushed under the roof covering. The leaks aren’t always dramatic. Many times, they’re minor and intermittent — the kind of leak that only appears during a wind-heavy storm or a certain angle of rain. But even small leaks can leave permanent stains behind.

Finding this in my attic reminded me why attic inspections are so important. It’s not just something I tell clients to sound thorough — it’s genuinely one of the most valuable parts of a home inspection. Attics should be checked at least twice a year, especially after heavy storms or when buying a new home. Look for darkened or discolored sheathing, moisture tracks, rusted nails, or mold-like staining. If something looks suspicious, monitor it over time or have a roofing professional evaluate it. Small issues are always cheaper to repair early than later.

Seeing the staining in my own attic didn’t bother me; if anything, it reinforced what I tell every client: no home is perfect. Not mine, not yours, not anyone’s. Houses are constantly expanding, contracting, breathing, and weathering. What matters is not whether issues exist — it’s whether we catch them before they grow.

If it’s been a while since you’ve checked your attic, consider this your reminder. You might be surprised at what you find. And if you’d prefer not to crawl around in insulation and framing, I’d be glad to take a look for you.