Sometimes it’s not just the obvious leaks that do the damage.
- Always surprises in attics, right?
- I’ve seen insulation look fine but be soaked underneath—mold city.
- Did you poke around for any soft spots in the decking? Sometimes you only find them by walking it (carefully).
- Curious—did you check for any daylight coming through at the ridge or eaves? That’s a sneaky sign things are worse than they look.
Need Advice On Replacing An Old Leaky Roof
You’re spot on about the hidden issues—sometimes the most serious damage is where you least expect it. I’ve run into situations where the sheathing looked fine from below, but once we started pulling up shingles, there was rot spreading between the rafters. Walking the roof (carefully, like you said) is really the only way to catch those soft spots, but even then, some areas can be deceiving if the decking’s layered or patched.
Checking for daylight at the ridge and eaves is a good call, though I’d add that sometimes small gaps can be intentional for ventilation. It’s a fine line—too much light and you’ve got a problem, but a little at the ridge vent isn’t always a red flag. One thing I always recommend is checking the attic after a heavy rain, not just for leaks but for any signs of moisture wicking along nails or fasteners. That’s often where you’ll spot trouble before it gets out of hand.
And yeah, insulation can hide a lot. I’ve seen perfectly dry-looking batts that were basically sponges underneath. Mold loves that kind of setup...
Yeah, I totally get what you mean about insulation hiding problems. When we pulled ours out, I found a patch of black mold that hadn’t shown up in any of my earlier checks. It’s wild how much can go unnoticed until you really dig in. Checking after a rainstorm is clutch—caught a slow leak that way myself. It’s a bit nerve-wracking, but catching stuff early definitely saves headaches later.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
I hear you on the hidden issues—insulation can definitely mask a lot. But I’d actually push back a bit on the idea that pulling it all out is always the best first move. In my experience, especially with older homes or buildings, ripping out insulation without a clear plan can sometimes create more chaos than it solves. You end up exposing things to temperature swings and moisture before you’re ready to address them, which can make existing problems worse or even create new ones.
What’s worked for me is a more phased approach. Before touching insulation, I like to do a thorough visual inspection from both inside and outside—sometimes with an infrared camera if I can get my hands on one. That way, you can spot cold spots or moisture without disturbing everything at once. After heavy rain is definitely the right time, but I’d also check after a big thaw if you’re in a colder climate; freeze-thaw cycles can open up leaks that weren’t obvious before.
If you do find mold or water damage, isolating the area and dealing with it section by section tends to be less overwhelming. It also helps keep costs under control since you’re not gutting everything at once. Plus, if you’re working with contractors, they’ll appreciate having a clear scope rather than surprises popping up mid-job.
One thing I learned the hard way: sometimes what looks like a small leak is actually part of a much bigger drainage or ventilation issue. It’s tempting to just patch and move on, but tracing the source—sometimes all the way up to gutters or flashing—can save you from repeat headaches down the line.
Anyway, just my two cents from dealing with more than a few “surprise” roof projects over the years... Sometimes slow and steady really does win out over tearing into everything at once.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
I get where you’re coming from with the phased approach, but I’m still a little paranoid about what’s lurking behind my insulation. Maybe it’s just first-time homeowner jitters, but every time I hear a drip or see a stain, I imagine the whole roof caving in. The idea of leaving stuff hidden makes me nervous—like, what if there’s a slow leak rotting out the beams and I don’t catch it until it’s too late?
That said, I totally see how tearing everything out could open up a can of worms (or, in my case, probably actual worms). Did you ever run into a situation where you left insulation in and missed something major? Or is that mostly just anxiety talking? Also, how do you even get your hands on an infrared camera—are those rentable or do you have to shell out big bucks?
I’m trying to avoid both a money pit and a total meltdown over here... Appreciate the real talk.
