NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
I hear you on the steep pitch being a lifesaver, especially when it comes to rain and snow just sliding right off. That’s probably why my old barn roof lasted as long as it did—water never really had a chance to sit anywhere. But I’ve also seen those same steep roofs hide a ton of sins underneath. You think everything’s fine until you poke around in the attic and realize you’ve got insulation that looks like it survived a raccoon convention.
Honestly, I used to think all the “air sealing” talk was just overkill, but after chasing down drafts for two winters, I’m convinced it’s worth every minute. The pitch helps, sure, but if you’ve got gaps around your chimney or weird little holes where the roof meets the walls, you’re still going to have problems. Water finds a way, and so does cold air.
One thing I learned the hard way: don’t trust that just because a roof is steep, you can get away with shortcuts underneath. I tried skipping some flashing on a shed roof once (figured the angle would do all the work), and ended up with a soggy mess after the first big storm. Lesson learned—old-school design is great, but it’s not magic.
I guess what I’m saying is, yeah, those classic angles are there for a reason, but they’re only part of the puzzle. If you’re already tearing things up to replace the roof, might as well go after those leaks and insulation issues while you’re at it. Otherwise, you’ll be back up there sooner than you want... and trust me, nobody enjoys crawling around in itchy insulation twice.
Anyway, just my two cents from too many weekends spent patching things that should’ve been fixed right the first time.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
You nailed it—steep roofs definitely help with runoff, but they’re not a cure-all. I’ve seen plenty of older homes where the pitch kept the water moving, but missing or poorly installed flashing led to rot around chimneys and valleys anyway. It’s easy to overlook those details when you’re focused on the big stuff. One thing I’d add: if you’re already opening things up, it’s worth checking the ventilation too. Good airflow in the attic can make a surprising difference for both moisture control and insulation performance. It’s not just about stopping leaks—sometimes it’s about letting things dry out properly when they do get wet.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
You’re right about ventilation—people forget how much it matters until they get ice dams or weird mold patches in the attic. I’ve seen a few jobs where the homeowner focused on shingles and flashing, but left the old, blocked soffit vents alone. The leaks stopped, but then the insulation got soggy and started to sag just a year later.
Curious—has anyone here tried those newer ridge vent systems? I’ve used them on a couple of projects, but I’m still not sure if they really outperform traditional box vents in every climate. Sometimes it feels like overkill, especially on smaller roofs. Or maybe I’m just old school... What’s everyone’s take on balancing ventilation upgrades with the rest of the roof work?
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
You nailed it—ventilation gets overlooked way too often. I’ve seen people pour money into premium shingles, then skip the venting and end up with a mess in their attic anyway. Personally, I think ridge vents are a solid upgrade, but on smaller roofs, I’m not convinced they’re always worth the extra cost and hassle. Sometimes the tried-and-true box vents do the job just fine, especially if you’ve got decent airflow from the soffits. At the end of the day, it’s about the whole system working together, not just the latest gadget or product. Don’t let anyone talk you into more than you need.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
Yeah, I’ve run into that too—folks get sold on the “latest and greatest” venting, but it’s not always a one-size-fits-all thing. I’m curious, though, have you noticed any difference in attic temps with ridge vents vs box vents? I’ve seen box vents work just fine on some low-slope roofs, but every house seems to have its quirks. Sometimes it comes down to how much insulation is up there, or even how shaded the roof is during the day. Ever had to tweak the venting setup after install, or did you get it right the first go?
