Honestly, it’s wild how fast a small leak can turn into a full-on headache. I’ve seen folks try to save money with patch jobs, but if you’re already noticing sagging or soft decking, you’re probably past the point of quick fixes. What’s worked best for me is tackling it step by step: first, pull back a section of shingles around the worst spot and check the decking. If it’s spongy or blackened, that’s your sign—time for a tear-off. Plan on replacing any rotten wood before new underlayment and shingles go down. It sounds like a lot, but catching it early really does save you from gutting half your ceiling down the road.
That’s a solid approach, especially the part about checking the decking before deciding how far to go. I’ve seen people skip that step and just slap new shingles on top, only to have the same leak reappear months later—definitely not worth the hassle. Out of curiosity, has anyone here tried using synthetic underlayments instead of traditional felt? I’ve read mixed things about their performance, particularly in climates with big temperature swings. Some contractors swear by them for durability and moisture resistance, but I wonder if there are downsides I’m missing. Also, when you’re replacing sections of decking, do you prefer plywood or OSB? I’ve noticed some roofers have strong opinions on that, but I’m not sure if it really makes a difference in the long run...
