Totally agree about installation being make-or-break. Had a similar experience myself—my first roofer was a real piece of work. Guy showed up late, left early, and somehow managed to install the turbines crooked. I swear, every time the wind blew, it sounded like a helicopter landing on my roof. Drove me nuts for months until I finally got someone competent to fix it.
Maintenance-wise, you're spot on too. I used to ignore mine completely (rookie mistake), until one day after a storm I found half a tree branch jammed in there. No idea how long it'd been spinning around up there... probably weeks. Now I make it a habit to check at least once a year—lesson learned the hard way.
Glad you finally found someone reliable though. Good roofers are like unicorns around here—rare and magical creatures you hold onto forever once you find 'em. Sounds like you're set now, fingers crossed your turbines keep spinning smoothly through many winters to come.
"Good roofers are like unicorns around here—rare and magical creatures you hold onto forever once you find 'em."
Haha, couldn't have said it better myself. Finding someone who actually knows what they're doing AND won't empty your wallet completely is a small miracle. Glad you finally got sorted out.
I had a similar issue with my gutters last year—thought I'd save a few bucks doing it myself, but let's just say DIY isn't always the cheaper route. Did you know gutters can actually overflow backwards into your attic if they're not pitched right? Yeah, neither did I... until it happened. Ended up costing me way more in repairs than if I'd just hired someone competent from the start.
Anyway, totally agree about checking turbines regularly too. Do you guys also inspect the flashing around vents and chimneys when you're up there? I overlooked mine for ages, thinking it was fine since nothing obvious was wrong. Then after one heavy rainstorm, I discovered a leak dripping straight into the attic insulation—talk about a nightmare. Turns out flashing deteriorates over time and needs occasional resealing or replacement. Who knew?
These days I do a quick visual inspection every spring and fall. Takes maybe 20 minutes tops, and it's saved me from some potentially expensive surprises down the road. Definitely worth the small effort if you're trying to avoid big-budget disasters later on.
Glad things worked out for you though—here's hoping your new roofer sticks around for years to come. Good ones really are unicorns...
Totally agree about flashing—it's sneaky stuff. I had a chimney leak a couple years back that drove me nuts trying to pinpoint. Thought it was the shingles at first, then maybe the mortar... nope, turned out to be the flashing pulling away just enough to let water trickle in. Lesson learned the hard way.
Now I make it a habit to check everything at least once a year, usually right before winter hits. Speaking of which, does anyone here bother with roof inspections after big storms? I've heard mixed opinions—some folks swear by it, others say it's overkill unless you see obvious damage. I'm leaning toward doing it more often, especially after seeing what a little unnoticed damage can turn into down the road. Curious if it's worth the extra hassle or just paranoia creeping in...
"Speaking of which, does anyone here bother with roof inspections after big storms?"
I used to think it was overkill too, until I started apprenticing and saw firsthand how sneaky storm damage can be. Had a customer last spring who thought everything was fine after a hailstorm—no obvious leaks or missing shingles—but when we got up there, half the shingles had tiny cracks you couldn't spot from the ground. Better safe than sorry, especially if your area's prone to rough weather...
Yeah, that's exactly the kind of sneaky damage that catches homeowners off guard. I've seen it plenty of times—people think they're in the clear because there's no obvious leak or missing shingles, but those tiny cracks and granule loss can lead to serious issues down the road. It's not just about leaks either; once moisture gets under there, you're looking at potential mold growth or structural weakening, which can get expensive fast.
Had a client last year who skipped inspections for years because everything "looked fine." When they finally called me out after noticing some discoloration on their ceiling, we found extensive water damage hidden beneath what seemed like perfectly intact shingles. Ended up costing them way more than regular inspections would have.
But I get why people hesitate—roof inspections can feel like another unnecessary expense, especially if you've never had noticeable problems before. Still, it's one of those preventative measures that's worth the peace of mind. Think of it like going to the dentist regularly instead of waiting until you have a toothache... catching things early is always cheaper and less stressful.
Curious though, has anyone ever tried drone inspections? I've heard mixed opinions—some say it's quicker and safer, others argue you miss subtle signs you'd catch up close. Wondering if anyone here has experience with that method...
