Just got a roof inspection PDF that's straight outta sci-fi

Thermal scans are a game changer, no doubt. I’ve seen folks tear half their roof off thinking they had to redo everything, when it was just a couple of cold spots around skylights or old vents causing all the trouble. Step flashing gaps are sneaky - water and heat both find their way in. I’m always telling people, fix what you can see on the scan first before gutting the whole assembly. Unless you’re dealing with deep rot or mold, targeted repairs save you a ton and actually solve the problem.

That’s exactly what I’m hoping for - just a couple of cold spots instead of a full tear-off. My scan showed a weird patch near the chimney and another by the bathroom vent. If you’ve done targeted repairs, did you just patch from the outside, or did you have to pull up shingles and check the decking underneath? I’m trying to avoid extra costs but don’t want to miss hidden damage.

If you’ve done targeted repairs, did you just patch from the outside, or did you have to pull up shingles and check the decking underneath?

If there’s a cold spot near a vent or chimney, I always recommend pulling up at least a few shingles to check the decking. Sometimes what looks like a small surface issue hides rot or water damage below. Patching from the outside works if everything underneath is solid, but if the wood’s soft or discolored, it’s worth replacing that section. Costs a bit more upfront but saves headaches later. Had one job where we thought it was just flashing - turned out half the sheathing was mushy. Not fun.

I get the logic behind pulling up shingles to check the decking, but I’ll admit, I’m always a little skeptical when contractors push for it right away. My place is only about 12 years old, so I was hoping I could just patch from the outside and call it good. But then again, I had a weird cold draft by my bathroom vent last winter and now I’m wondering if there’s something going on under there that I can’t see.

I did a small patch job last fall - just replaced a couple shingles after a windstorm - and didn’t look underneath. Now you’ve got me second guessing that move. The idea of hidden rot freaks me out, especially since my neighbor had to replace half his roof deck after ignoring a “minor” leak for too long. Not cheap.

Guess it comes down to how much risk you’re willing to take. If you’re already seeing signs like soft spots or discoloration inside, probably worth biting the bullet and checking underneath. Otherwise, maybe just keep an eye on it and hope for the best... but yeah, not exactly comforting advice.

Man, I totally get the paranoia after seeing what happened to your neighbor. Hidden rot is like the boogeyman of homeownership - never know if it’s lurking until it’s too late. But yeah, 12 years isn’t ancient for a roof, especially if you haven’t had any big leaks or obvious sagging. I’ve seen folks go decades with just patching here and there. That said, those cold drafts are weird... sometimes it’s just bad vent sealing, but sometimes it’s a sign something’s off under the hood. If you’re not seeing stains or soft spots inside, you’re probably okay for now. Just keep an eye out after storms and maybe poke around the attic when you get a chance. No shame in being cautious - beats a surprise re-decking bill down the line.