Had a similar issue with squirrels—little guys chewed right through the mesh I installed. Ended up switching to a heavier gauge metal screen under the rigid plastic vents, and that did the trick. Also, totally agree about poor installation causing headaches; seen plenty of ridge vents nailed too tight, crushing airflow. Key is gentle fastening and proper alignment... learned that one the hard way.
"Ended up switching to a heavier gauge metal screen under the rigid plastic vents, and that did the trick."
Glad you got those squirrels sorted out—those little critters are relentless. I've seen them chew through stuff you'd swear was bulletproof.
And you're spot on about the ridge vent installation. Too many folks crank down the nails like they're securing a battleship. Ridge vents need a bit of finesse: snug enough to stay put, loose enough for proper airflow. A quick tip I usually share is to hand-nail rather than using a pneumatic nailer, at least until you're comfortable with how tight they should be. You get a much better feel for it that way, and fewer crushed vents in the process (ask me how I know...).
As for hip and ridge shingles, the key is patience and alignment. I usually recommend snapping chalk lines first—yeah, it's an extra step, but trust me, it saves headaches down the road. Measure out your overlaps carefully, then dry-fit a few shingles first before committing to nailing them down. Once you're happy with the layout, start from one end and work methodically. Don't rush it. A little extra time spent here makes a huge difference in how neat and leak-free your roof stays.
Oh, and one more thing: weather matters. If you're installing in colder temperatures, your shingles can be stiff as cardboard. Leave them somewhere warm or sunny beforehand so they're flexible enough to handle easily. Trying to bend cold shingles over a ridge is like wrestling plywood—no fun at all.
Anyway, sounds like you're already learning plenty by trial and error, which honestly is half the battle. Keep at it, you'll get there.
Good call on warming up the shingles first—I learned that one the hard way last winter. Felt like I was trying to fold bricks over the ridge line. Chalk lines definitely help, but honestly, after a while you get a feel for eyeballing it pretty accurately. Just don't rush it, and keep an eye on alignment as you go. Sounds like you're already getting the hang of it though... squirrels and all.
"Felt like I was trying to fold bricks over the ridge line."
Exactly my experience. Last fall, we tackled a roof replacement on one of our properties, and cold shingles were a nightmare—stiff as plywood. Warming them helps, but honestly, patience and frequent alignment checks are key.
"patience and frequent alignment checks are key."
Couldn't agree more on alignment checks—nothing worse than stepping back after a few shingles and realizing you've drifted off-center. One trick I've found helpful, especially with stubborn shingles, is to pre-bend them slightly before installation. Lay them out in the sun for a bit if you can, or gently flex them by hand indoors if it's chilly. It doesn't completely solve the stiffness issue, but it makes them a bit more cooperative when you're up there wrestling them into place.
Also, are you using dedicated hip and ridge shingles or cutting your own from standard three-tabs? I've noticed the dedicated ones tend to be a bit more flexible and easier to handle, though they're pricier. Curious if anyone else has noticed a significant difference between the two types...
