Those “fish scale” shingles really do a number on hiding what’s underneath, and I see that all the time during inspections. People are often surprised how much roof issues can lurk right below the surface—layered just like those scales, and unless you really get in there, you’d never know. I’ve seen roofs that looked fine from the ground but had multiple layers of old, brittle shingles underneath, plus patch jobs that didn’t line up with proper water flow. That layering can actually trap moisture if it’s not done right, which only makes ice damming and rot worse.
I’d echo what you said about ridge vents not being a magic bullet, but honestly, I’m pretty opinionated that proper ventilation does more for roof longevity than almost anything else. I’ve lost count of how many attics I’ve crawled through where the insulation is great, but the air just sits stagnant because the venting is an afterthought—or someone blocked the soffits with insulation. It’s wild how a simple airflow path from soffit to ridge can make or break a roof over time.
One thing that comes up a lot: when people reroof over old shingles (instead of tearing off), they’re basically doubling down on that fish scale effect. It might seem cheaper upfront, but it’s usually asking for trouble later. Have you noticed any spots where your shingle layers feel soft or uneven underfoot? That’s often where moisture’s sneaking in or the decking’s starting to go.
Curious if anyone here has actually removed multiple layers and found hidden rot or mold? In my experience, it’s more common than folks think—especially in older homes with lots of valleys and weird angles. Sometimes you don’t realize how bad it is until you peel back those “scales” and see what’s been festering underneath...
Sometimes you don’t realize how bad it is until you peel back those “scales” and see what’s been festering underneath...
Yeah, I’ve helped strip a few old roofs and it’s wild what you find—felt like an archeological dig. One place had three layers and the bottom was basically mulch. Definitely convinced me tear-off is worth the mess.
Peeling back those layers is always a surprise, right? I had a similar situation—thought I could just patch a few spots, but once I started pulling up shingles, it was like compost under there. The mess is no joke, but seeing what’s really going on helps you fix it for good. If you’re ever on the fence about doing a full tear-off, that hidden “mulch” is all the motivation you need. It’s a pain in the moment, but way better than stacking problems on top of each other.
Man, I hear you on the “mulch” surprise. Last summer, I thought I’d just swap out a couple of cracked shingles—next thing I know, I’m knee-deep in what looked like a science experiment gone wrong. It’s wild how much can hide under those layers. Honestly, it’s a pain to do the full tear-off, but at least you know you’re not just slapping a Band-Aid on a compost heap. Makes you appreciate a fresh start, even if your arms are sore for a week.
- Been there. Thought I’d just patch a spot, but under the top layer it was like “roof lasagna.”
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—yep, found a whole ecosystem under mine.“knee-deep in what looked like a science experiment gone wrong”
- Full tear-off hurts the wallet and the biceps, but I’d rather pay once than keep patching every year.
- Still, wish shingles weren’t so sneaky about hiding rot...
