Good catch on the ceiling stains—those can definitely sneak up on you. Another thing to consider: have you checked the attic insulation yet? Sometimes leaks soak into insulation first, and you won't notice until mold sets in...speaking from experience here.
Yeah, attic insulation is a sneaky one. When we first moved into our custom build, I thought I'd covered everything—until I noticed a weird musty smell upstairs. Turns out the insulation had been quietly soaking up water from a tiny leak near the chimney flashing. Didn't even see stains at first, just that funky smell. Definitely worth poking around up there before things get moldy...trust me, mold remediation isn't cheap or fun.
Had a similar issue a couple years back—thought I'd nailed the roof replacement, but missed a tiny gap near the vent pipe. Didn't notice anything until I saw some condensation forming on the attic beams. Luckily caught it early enough to avoid mold, but lesson learned: flashing and sealing around vents and chimneys is crucial. If you're tackling the roof yourself, I'd recommend using a good quality flashing tape or sealant around any penetrations. Also, don't underestimate the value of a thorough attic inspection after heavy rains. Sometimes leaks are sneaky and won't show obvious signs right away. Good luck with your project—it's satisfying once you finally get it watertight.
Had a similar experience myself—roof looked perfect, but after a big storm, I noticed water stains slowly appearing on the ceiling. Turns out the leak wasn't even near where the stains showed up...water can travel along beams and insulation quite a distance before it shows itself. Honestly, flashing tape is great for quick fixes or minor repairs, but if you're redoing your roof anyway, I'd suggest investing in proper metal flashing around vents and chimneys. Tape and sealants degrade over time, especially in extreme weather conditions. Metal flashing, properly installed, will last as long as your roof does and save you headaches down the road. And yeah, attic inspections after storms are underrated—caught my issue early enough to avoid serious damage. It's definitely satisfying once it's done right, though...nothing beats peace of mind when the rain hits.
Good points about metal flashing. I'd add that even with proper flashing, the quality of installation matters just as much as the material itself. I've seen cases where homeowners invested in top-grade materials but ended up with leaks anyway because the installation was rushed or corners were cut. Definitely agree about attic checks after storms—caught a leak early myself once, and it saved me from major repairs later on. Nothing beats thorough workmanship and regular inspections...especially when you're dealing with something as critical as your roof.