Need advice on replacing an old leaky roof

Title: Need advice on replacing an old leaky roof

I get where you’re coming from about not skimping on underlayment or insulation, but I’ve got a slightly different take. I’ve done a couple roofs now, and honestly, I think there’s a point where “premium” underlayment is just marketing. The basic synthetic stuff (not the old-school felt) has held up fine for me, even in some wild Midwest storms. What really made the difference was paying attention to flashing and making sure the valleys and penetrations were sealed up right. That’s where most leaks sneak in, at least in my experience.

Not saying go bottom-of-the-barrel cheap, but sometimes it feels like the industry pushes upgrades that don’t add much unless you’re in extreme climates. I’d rather put extra budget into ventilation or ice/water shield in trouble spots than blow it all on top-shelf underlayment everywhere. Just my two cents—every house is its own beast, though.

Honestly, I’m with you on the flashing and penetrations—that’s where I’ve seen most problems crop up too, especially on higher-end homes with complicated rooflines. You can have the fanciest underlayment in the world, but if the chimney flashing’s botched or the valleys aren’t tight, you’ll still end up with buckets in the attic during a storm.

That said, I do think there’s a place for premium underlayment, but mostly if you’re dealing with a low-slope roof or somewhere with crazy ice damming. For a “normal” roof, the better synthetics are usually more than enough. I’d rather put the extra cash into a solid ridge vent or better insulation—those are the upgrades that actually make a difference in comfort and energy bills.

Funny enough, my neighbor paid for all the bells and whistles on his last roof, but he skipped ice/water shield in the valleys... Guess where he found leaks after the first big thaw? Sometimes it’s just about knowing where to spend and where to save.

- Had a similar situation last year—old roof, lots of leaks, and I was convinced premium underlayment would fix everything. Ended up learning the hard way that it’s the details around flashing and penetrations that really matter.

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You can have the fanciest underlayment in the world, but if the chimney flashing’s botched or the valleys aren’t tight, you’ll still end up with buckets in the attic during a storm.

- Honestly, I’d say don’t get too hung up on every “premium” option unless you’ve got a weird roof or live somewhere with crazy weather. I put my money into better attic insulation and a ridge vent, and my heating bill actually dropped a bit.

- One thing I’d add—don’t skip ice/water shield in the valleys or around skylights. My neighbor did, thinking it wasn’t necessary, and he’s still patching drywall every spring.

- At the end of the day, it’s less about the fanciest materials and more about solid workmanship. A good installer who pays attention to the tricky spots is worth every penny.

Honestly, you’re on the right track stressing the details. When we did our roof last fall, I got caught up in all the “premium” buzzwords too, but what really paid off was making sure the crew didn’t rush the flashing and valleys. I’d say trust your gut if something feels off—ask questions, even if you feel like a pest. It’s your house, after all. And yeah, ice/water shield around skylights is a must... learned that one the hard way with a soggy guest room ceiling. You’ve got this—just keep focusing on the basics and solid work.

I get where you’re coming from about focusing on the basics, but I’d actually push back a bit on skipping the “premium” options entirely. Sometimes those buzzwords are just marketing, sure, but I’ve seen some of the upgraded underlayments and venting systems make a real difference, especially if you’re planning to stay in the house long-term.

“what really paid off was making sure the crew didn’t rush the flashing and valleys.”

Couldn’t agree more there—bad flashing is just asking for trouble. But I’ve also seen folks regret not investing in better ridge vents or synthetic underlayment when they had the chance. It’s a pain to redo that stuff later.

If you’re comparing bids, maybe ask for a line-by-line breakdown. That way you can see if the “premium” items are just fluff or if there’s something that’ll actually add value or save headaches down the road. Sometimes it’s worth spending a little extra up front to avoid patch jobs later... just my two cents from watching too many roofs go wrong over the years.