Need advice on replacing an old leaky roof

"ridge vents with proper intake seem like the best balance overall."

Agreed, ridge vents are usually a solid choice, but have you considered how your attic insulation might impact airflow? I've seen cases where even good venting struggles if insulation placement isn't optimized... thoughts on that?

Good point about insulation... when I first put in ridge vents, I didn't think twice about insulation placement. Ended up having to crawl back up there to clear some blocked soffits - lesson learned the itchy way, haha. Proper airflow really does depend on those little details.

Haha, been there myself - nothing like crawling around itchy insulation to make you appreciate proper planning. One thing I've found helpful when replacing roofs (especially older ones) is to take a step-by-step approach. First, strip everything down to the decking and check for any rot or water damage. It's tempting to skip this, but trust me, hidden issues can come back to bite you later.

Next, make sure your attic ventilation is balanced - ridge vents are great, but they're only effective if your soffit vents aren't blocked (as you discovered the hard way!). Installing baffles at the eaves can help keep insulation from clogging things up again. After that, lay down a good quality underlayment before putting on your shingles or metal roofing. It adds an extra layer of protection against leaks.

And speaking of insulation... if you're already up there, might as well check if you need to top it off or replace any damaged sections. Saves you another itchy adventure down the road, haha.

"lay down a good quality underlayment before putting on your shingles or metal roofing"

Definitely agree with most of what you said, but I'd suggest considering synthetic underlayment specifically. From my experience, it holds up way better than traditional felt - especially if there's a delay between installation and roofing. Learned that lesson the hard way after a surprise rain shower turned felt into a slippery mess... Synthetic might cost a bit more upfront, but it's worth avoiding the headache.

Good points on synthetic underlayment - definitely holds up better if you're stuck waiting on materials or weather. Couple things I'd add from experience:

- If you're going metal, make sure your underlayment is rated for high temps. Some cheaper synthetics can degrade quicker under metal roofs.
- Don't skimp on fasteners. Seen too many roofs fail early because someone went cheap on nails or screws.

Curious if anyone's tried peel-and-stick membranes instead? Heard they're great for leak-prone areas like valleys or dormers...

"Don't skimp on fasteners. Seen too many roofs fail early because someone went cheap on nails or screws."

Couldn't agree more - fasteners seem minor, but they really matter long-term. I recently built my first custom home and went with peel-and-stick membranes around dormers and valleys. Installation was straightforward, and so far, no leaks even after some heavy storms. A bit pricier upfront, but the peace of mind is worth it for those tricky areas.

Good call on the peel-and-stick membranes - those tricky spots are exactly where leaks love to start. When I was researching for my own build, I noticed a lot of people underestimate the small details like fasteners and flashing. But honestly, it's those little things that keep you dry years down the road. Glad to hear your setup held strong through heavy storms...definitely reassuring to know you made the right choice.

Definitely agree on the importance of flashing and fasteners - seen plenty of roofs fail prematurely because someone skimped on those details. One thing I've been curious about lately is ventilation. I've noticed some roofs seem to age faster due to poor attic ventilation causing moisture buildup. Did you factor ventilation into your setup, or was that less of a concern given your climate? Seems like another overlooked detail that can make a big difference long-term...

"I've noticed some roofs seem to age faster due to poor attic ventilation causing moisture buildup."

Good point about ventilation - I've seen firsthand how inadequate airflow can deteriorate shingles way quicker than you'd expect. When I redid my roof, I spent a fair bit of time calculating the required vent area based on attic size and local climate conditions. Curious, did you opt for ridge vents, turbine vents, or something else entirely? I've heard mixed opinions on turbine vents, especially regarding noise and durability over time...

When I replaced mine a couple years back, I went with ridge vents after doing some digging into airflow efficiency. Turbine vents seemed tempting at first, but a neighbor had them and complained about squeaking noises after just a year or two - plus, they didn't seem to hold up well in heavy storms. Ridge vents have been solid so far, no moisture issues or shingle curling yet... fingers crossed it stays that way.

"Turbine vents seemed tempting at first, but a neighbor had them and complained about squeaking noises after just a year or two - plus, they didn't seem to hold up well in heavy storms."

Glad you mentioned this. I was seriously considering turbine vents myself when we built our place last year, mostly because they seemed straightforward and budget-friendly. But after talking to a few folks around here, I heard similar stories about noise and durability issues. One guy down the street said his turbines started squeaking within months, and another neighbor had one literally blow off during a storm... not exactly reassuring.

Ended up going with ridge vents too, and so far they've been trouble-free. No leaks, no weird noises, and the attic stays noticeably cooler in summer compared to our old house (which had box vents). I was skeptical at first - seemed almost too simple to work - but it's been solid. Good to hear yours are holding up well after a couple years; gives me some confidence that we made the right call.

Honestly, roofing decisions stressed me out way more than I expected. So many options, and everyone seems to have a different opinion. But your experience lines up with mine, so fingers crossed we're both good for the long haul.

Good call on skipping the turbines. Had a similar experience with a rental property - tenants complained constantly about squeaking, and one vent got mangled in a thunderstorm. Switched to ridge vents after that, and they've been solid ever since. Honestly, roofing stuff always feels like a gamble... glad to hear ridge vents are working out for you too.

Yeah, ridge vents are definitely the way to go in my experience too. I built my own place a few years back and initially debated between turbines and ridge vents. Ended up going with ridge vents after talking to a buddy who had turbines that drove him nuts - said they squeaked like crazy whenever the wind picked up. Plus, he mentioned they didn't hold up well in storms either, which lines up exactly with your experience.

One thing I'd add though: make sure you have enough intake ventilation at the soffits if you're switching to ridge vents. Ridge vents rely heavily on proper airflow from below, so if your soffit vents are blocked or insufficient, you won't get the full benefit. I learned this the hard way when I first installed mine - I didn't have enough soffit venting, and my attic was still getting pretty hot in summer. After adding more intake vents, it made a huge difference.

Also, if you're replacing an old leaky roof anyway, it's worth checking out synthetic underlayment instead of traditional felt paper. It's a bit pricier upfront but way easier to work with (especially if you're DIYing it), and it holds up better against moisture during installation. I used it on my place and haven't regretted it once.

Roofing definitely feels like rolling dice sometimes...but doing your homework upfront can tilt things in your favor a bit. Good luck with the project - hope it goes smoothly for ya.

"Yeah, ridge vents are definitely the way to go in my experience too."

Gotta say, ridge vents are solid, but I've had turbines for over a decade without any squeaking or storm issues... maybe your buddy just got unlucky? Proper installation really makes a difference. Just my two cents.

I've heard good things about turbines lasting a long time too, but honestly I'm still kinda skeptical about them holding up in tougher weather. Maybe installation really is key, like you said.

"ridge vents are definitely the way to go"

Ridge vents seem more foolproof overall, but do they perform as well in areas with heavy snow accumulation? I'd be curious to hear from someone who's dealt with harsh winters...

I've heard good things about turbines lasting a long time too, but honestly I'm still kinda skeptical about them holding up in tougher weather. Maybe installation really is key, like you said.

I've dealt with ridge vents in some pretty snowy regions, and honestly, they've held up pretty well. The key seems to be keeping the ridge clear enough that snow doesn't pile up too high and block airflow. I remember one winter we had a record snowfall, and I ended up on the roof with a broom more times than I'd like to admit... but overall, no major issues. Still, makes me wonder - do turbine vents actually handle heavy snow any better, or is it just another trade-off?

I've had turbines on my roof for years in a pretty snowy area, and honestly, they're not magic either. Snow can still pile up around them and freeze them solid sometimes. Had to climb up there once or twice to knock ice off...so yeah, trade-offs either way.

Interesting to hear about the turbines freezing up - I hadn't really considered that. Makes me wonder if heated cables around the turbines would help at all, or would that just be overkill? I've seen them used along roof edges to prevent ice dams, but not sure if they'd be effective in your situation. Has anyone tried something like that, or is it just another thing that'll break down eventually...?

"Makes me wonder if heated cables around the turbines would help at all, or would that just be overkill?"

Honestly, heated cables around turbines might be more trouble than they're worth. I've installed them plenty of times along roof edges to handle ice dams, and even then, they're not foolproof - plus, they do eventually fail. Turbines freezing up usually points to ventilation or insulation issues. I'd tackle those first before adding another gadget that'll probably break down mid-winter... Murphy's law, right?

Yeah, heated cables can be a bit hit or miss in my experience too. Had a neighbor who put them up around his turbines thinking it'd solve everything - ended up with ice still forming higher up where the cables didn't reach. He wasn't thrilled, to say the least. Like you mentioned, insulation and ventilation seem to be the real culprits most of the time. If warm air's escaping into your attic space, it's gonna melt snow unevenly and cause ice build-up anyway.

Have you checked if your attic insulation is sufficient or evenly distributed? Sometimes just adding a bit more insulation or sealing up air leaks can make a huge difference. Might save you from dealing with another gadget that could fail when you need it most...