Honestly, I’ve seen what happens when people try to save a few bucks on underlayment and flashing—never pretty. Had a client who went with “just good enough” underlayment and a year later, their new hardwood floors started warping from a slow leak. It’s wild how something you barely see can cause so much chaos inside the house. I’m all for finding savings elsewhere, but those two areas? Not worth the risk, especially if you care about what’s under your roof too.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
That’s actually super helpful to hear, even if it’s a little scary. I keep looking at the price tags for underlayment and flashing and thinking, “Does it really matter that much?” Guess it does. Is there a middle ground, though? Like, are there brands or types that aren’t top-shelf but still solid? I’m all for not cutting corners where it counts, just trying to avoid getting upsold on stuff I don’t need.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
Totally get the sticker shock—roofing stuff adds up fast. You don’t need the fanciest underlayment out there, but I’d avoid the bargain bin too. I’ve used GAF’s synthetic underlayment on a few projects and it’s solid without being crazy expensive. For flashing, aluminum’s usually a good middle ground—just make sure it’s thick enough and not that flimsy stuff. Think of it like shoes: you don’t need designer, but you don’t want flip-flops in a rainstorm either.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
- GAF synthetic underlayment is a solid choice, but I’ve had good luck with CertainTeed too—might be worth comparing prices.
- For flashing, I’d echo the aluminum suggestion, but if you’re in a coastal area, stainless steel might be worth the extra bucks for corrosion resistance.
- Don’t skimp on ice and water shield around valleys and penetrations. That’s where leaks love to sneak in.
- If you’re DIYing, invest in a decent harness. Roofing’s no joke—ask my bruised ego from last summer...
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
- Tore off a 30-year-old roof last spring—what a mess. Ended up using GAF underlayment too, but honestly, I think CertainTeed felt a bit thicker. Price was about the same in my area.
- Stainless flashing is pricey, but after seeing aluminum corrode near my gutters (lots of rain here), I’d say it’s worth it if you’re anywhere damp.
- Ice and water shield: don’t just do the valleys. I ran it a couple feet up from the eaves after an ice dam disaster a few winters ago... haven’t had a leak since.
- Harness is non-negotiable. Slipped once, landed in the bushes—better than concrete, but still not fun.