- Had a similar situation last winter—tenant called about a stain on the ceiling after a heavy snow.
- Turns out, the old felt underlayment just couldn’t handle the ice damming. Water got in, drywall repair was a pain, and insurance barely covered it.
- After that, I started budgeting for synthetic underlayment on all my turnovers. Costs more up front, but way less hassle long-term.
- Noticed some roofers still try to push the basic stuff, probably to keep bids low. Honestly, for our climate (lots of freeze/thaw), it’s just not worth the risk.
- Learned the hard way: small leaks turn into big repairs fast, especially if tenants don’t notice right away.
- Now I do spring and fall roof checks—catch cracked shingles or clogged gutters before they become a problem.
- Upgrades aren’t always necessary, but when it comes to water getting inside? I’d rather overdo it than deal with mold and angry tenants later.
Synthetic underlayment’s been a game changer for me too, especially after a few years of chasing leaks that always seemed to show up in the worst spots. I used to think the old felt was “good enough” since that’s what everyone used around here, but after two winters with ice dams and water sneaking in, I just bit the bullet and upgraded. Not cheap, but I haven’t had a single call about ceiling stains since.
I get what you’re saying about roofers pushing the basic stuff. Some of them still try to talk me out of the synthetic, saying it’s overkill or “not necessary for this roof.” Maybe for some climates, but with all the freeze/thaw cycles we get, I’d rather not risk it. The upfront cost stings a bit, but it’s nothing compared to drywall repairs and dealing with insurance adjusters who always seem to find a way to pay less than you need.
Spring and fall checks are huge. I used to skip them, thinking I’d notice if something was wrong, but tenants don’t always catch things early. Last year I found a cracked vent boot before it turned into a leak—probably saved myself a few hundred bucks and a lot of hassle. Gutters too...clogged ones can back up water under the shingles way faster than I expected.
I do wonder if anyone’s tried those newer “cool roof” membranes or green roof options? I’ve looked into them for energy savings, but haven’t pulled the trigger yet. For now, just sticking with synthetic underlayment and regular checks has kept things pretty smooth. Not saying it’s perfect, but it’s definitely less stressful than waiting for the next leak to show up.
I’ve seen a lot of folks stick with felt just because it’s what they know, but honestly, I’ve lost count of how many attic inspections I’ve done where the only thing between a homeowner and a nasty ceiling stain was a patch of synthetic underlayment. It’s not perfect, but it buys you time—especially when ice dams or wind-driven rain sneak in.
I’m with you on the spring and fall checks. Most leaks I find are from little things like cracked boots or loose flashing, not the shingles themselves. People always think they’ll spot a problem from inside, but by the time you see a stain, it’s already too late.
About those “cool roof” membranes—seen a couple installs, mostly on flat roofs around here. They seem to help with heat, but I haven’t seen enough long-term results to say if they’re worth the extra cost yet. Green roofs look great in theory, but unless you’re ready for the maintenance and structural upgrades, they can be more trouble than they’re worth.
You ever run into issues with synthetic getting slippery during install? Had one crew complain about that last year...
You ever run into issues with synthetic getting slippery during install? Had one crew complain about that last year...
Yeah, I’ve definitely noticed the slip factor, especially if there’s dew or a light drizzle. One guy on our crew called it “roof ice skating.” We started using those grippy shoes and it helped a bit, but man, you really gotta watch your step. Still beats soaked felt in my book, but it’s not perfect.
Slippery synthetic underlayment is no joke... I nearly pulled a Bambi-on-ice move just checking out my roof after a rain. I get why crews complain. My installer actually warned me about it and said they avoid early morning installs for that reason. Still, I’d take that over soggy felt any day—at least the synthetic dries out fast and doesn’t tear as easily. Guess there’s no perfect solution unless someone invents non-slip, self-installing shingles.
