I’ve had the same thought about shingle ratings—sometimes it feels like we’re just paying for a fancy label. I’ve seen “budget” shingles hold up better than the expensive ones, especially when the crew actually takes their time with the prep. The pitch thing is real too. I manage a couple of flat-roofed buildings and, man, even the best-rated shingles don’t stand a chance if water’s just sitting there. Has anyone tried those peel-and-stick membranes under the shingles? Wondering if they’re worth the extra cost or just another upsell.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen peel-and-stick membranes actually make a difference—just not always for the reasons the sales guys pitch. On a low-slope roof after that hailstorm last spring, the membrane kept water from seeping in when the shingles got shredded. But if the deck’s already got issues or there’s ponding, it won’t save you. Sometimes I wonder if folks expect miracles from these products when basic drainage is still the real problem...
I hear you on the drainage—totally agree that no membrane will fix a roof with standing water. But I’ve actually seen peel-and-stick outperform traditional felt underlayment, especially in spots where ice dams form. It’s not a cure-all, but it does buy you time if shingles fail. Still, if the deck’s soft or there’s sagging, you’re just delaying the inevitable... sometimes folks overlook that part.
I get what you’re saying about peel-and-stick—seen it hold up better than felt in some nasty freeze-thaw cycles here too. But if the deck’s already spongy, isn’t that just putting a Band-Aid on a bigger problem? Curious if anyone’s actually had luck long-term with that approach, or does it always end up needing a full tear-off anyway? I’ve seen a few jobs where folks tried to stretch things and it just made the rot worse down the line...
But if the deck’s already spongy, isn’t that just putting a Band-Aid on a bigger problem?
You’re spot on with that concern. If the deck’s soft, peel-and-stick is just delaying the inevitable. I tried patching over a spongy section once—looked fine for a year, then the rot spread and I had to rip out way more decking. In my experience, it never really pays off long-term to skip the tear-off when there’s obvious rot. It’s a pain, but fixing it right up front saves a lot of hassle (and money) down the road.