Yeah, I hear you on the deck and flashing—my neighbor’s roof looked fine until we had that hailstorm last spring. The Malarkeys held up okay, but the spots where the solar guys missed the flashing started leaking. I’m not convinced any shingle can make up for a sloppy install, especially with all that extra gear bolted on. Still, I’d rather patch a few leaks than deal with zombies chewing through the attic, I guess…
Yeah, I totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve seen so many roofs where the shingles themselves are holding up just fine, but then you get one spot where someone got lazy with the flashing or didn’t seal around a vent right, and that’s all it takes for water to sneak in. Doesn’t matter if you’ve got Malarkey, CertainTeed, GAF—if the install’s sloppy, you’re gonna have headaches. Solar installs seem to make it even trickier. I’ve inspected a few homes where the panels were bolted on and whoever did it just kind of shrugged at the flashing details. Next big rain, suddenly there’s a drip in the attic.
Funny thing is, I’ve actually seen Malarkey shingles take a beating in hail and come out looking way better than some of the cheaper brands. The rubberized stuff seems to help with impact, but yeah… even the best shingle can’t fix a bad install job. And once you start poking holes in the roof for solar racks, you’re basically inviting trouble unless every single penetration is flashed and sealed right.
I had a client last year who thought their “lifetime” shingles meant they’d never have to worry about leaks again. Then their cousin put in solar panels as a DIY project… let’s just say it was raining inside their living room after the first storm. Ended up costing more to fix than if they’d just hired someone who knew what they were doing.
As for zombies—honestly, if they’re chewing through your attic, I think you’ve got bigger problems than shingle brands. Maybe invest in some metal sheathing up there? Or just keep a baseball bat handy...
But yeah, I’d rather patch a leak than deal with mold or rot down the line. Water always finds the weak spot, and it’s almost never where you expect it.
Water always finds the weak spot, and it’s almost never where you expect it.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve seen “lifetime” shingles with leaks just because someone skipped a step with the flashing. Doesn’t matter how tough the shingle is if the penetrations aren’t sealed up tight. I always tell folks—double check every boot, vent, and bracket after any install, especially with solar. One missed spot and you’re chasing water stains for months.
Doesn’t matter how tough the shingle is if the penetrations aren’t sealed up tight.
That’s the truth. I went with Malarkey for my last re-roof, thinking it’d be a “set it and forget it” deal, but after adding solar panels, I found out the hard way that even premium shingles don’t mean squat if the installer skimps on flashing or skips sealing around those mounts. Had a slow leak right above my kitchen—took months to track down and cost me more in drywall than it would’ve to just double-check things at install.
People get all caught up in shingle brands and warranties, but honestly, most leaks I’ve seen (including my own) come from missed details around boots or brackets. Especially with all the extra holes solar adds. I’m not saying Malarkey isn’t solid—it’s held up better than the basic stuff on my neighbor’s roof—but nothing survives a lazy install, apocalypse or not.
If you’re on a budget like me, I’d say spend less on “lifetime” shingles and more making sure whoever’s up there actually cares about every single penetration and flashing. Otherwise, you’ll just end up paying for repairs anyway...
That’s the thing—folks get so hung up on the “bulletproof” shingle marketing, but it’s always the stuff around the penetrations that bites you later. I’ve seen plenty of high-end roofs trashed by a single missed bead of sealant or a lazy boot install. Solar just multiplies the risk, since every bracket is another chance for water to sneak in.
Curious if anyone’s had luck with those newer mounting systems that claim to be “no-penetration” or use flashing bases? I’ve only seen a couple in person, and honestly, I’m not convinced they’re foolproof—especially after a few years of freeze/thaw cycles. Or maybe it’s just our Midwest weather making me skeptical.
Also, has anyone actually had a shingle warranty honored after a leak from solar mounts? I hear about these “lifetime” warranties, but in practice, seems like most manufacturers blame the installer and vice versa...