Lesson learned, don’t skimp on overlap or details.
Right there with you. I’ve seen folks try to “eyeball” the overlap, thinking a couple inches is fine... then the first sideways rain comes and suddenly it’s a slip-n-slide in the attic. My rule: treat every shingle like it’s guarding the crown jewels. If you rush the details, water will always find that one lazy shortcut. It’s like Murphy’s Law, but soggier.
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Couldn’t agree more, but I’ll add—sometimes folks *think* they’ve overlapped right, but nails end up too high or too low and that’s just as bad.If you rush the details, water will always find that one lazy shortcut.
- Seen a lot of “good enough” jobs where the first wind-driven rain exposes every shortcut.
- My favorite: someone lined up all their tabs in perfect rows… but forgot about the stagger. Looked nice until the leaks started.
- If you’re in a spot with heavy storms or ice dams, even small misses can cost big.
- Not saying you need to be paranoid, but every time I see shortcuts, I start looking for buckets in the attic.
Fish scales is a good way to put it, but I’ve seen more than a few roofs where it looked more like someone was stacking pancakes—just flat and hoping for the best. I get what you’re saying about shortcuts. I’ve had a couple of “budget” jobs done on some rentals, and every time, it’s the little things that come back to bite. One place, the crew nailed too high on half the shingles. Looked fine from the street, but after the first big rain, I was up there with a flashlight and a bucket, just like you said.
I’m curious—does anyone actually check the nail placement after a job, or is that just me being paranoid? I’ve had contractors roll their eyes when I ask about it, but then again, I’m the one who gets the call when water’s dripping through the ceiling at 2am. Maybe I’m too skeptical, but I’d rather be picky than pay for drywall repairs later.
And about the stagger—why is it that folks think lining up tabs looks better? I had a guy tell me once it was “more professional.” Sure, until you get those zipper leaks. Is there some trick to spotting a bad stagger from the ground, or do you just have to wait for the leaks to show up?
I’m in the Midwest, so ice dams are a real headache. Even with ice & water shield, if the shingles aren’t layered right, you’re still in trouble. Anyone else notice that some of these newer synthetic underlayments seem slicker? I wonder if that makes it easier for water to sneak in if there’s a mistake up top.
Not saying every job needs to be perfect, but I’d settle for “done right” over “done fast” any day. Maybe I’m just getting grumpy with age...
- I always check nail placement after a job, too. Not sure if it’s paranoia or just being thorough, but I’ve seen leaks from nails too high or too few.
- Lined-up tabs drive me nuts. From the ground, I look for repeating patterns—if I can spot a “zipper” line, that’s usually a red flag.
- Ice dams are brutal here (Chicago area). Even with ice & water shield, if the first row isn’t right, water finds a way.
- Those synthetic underlayments do seem slicker. Wondering if that’s why I noticed more shingle slippage on my neighbor’s roof last winter...
- Anyone ever had luck getting a contractor to fix bad nail lines after the fact? Or is it always a fight?
Nail placement is one of those things that gets overlooked way too often, in my experience. I’ve seen so many “new” roofs where the nails are either riding high or just barely catching the shingle, and then you get a call a couple years later about leaks or shingles sliding. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just rushed crews or if some folks genuinely don’t know how much it matters. I get why you double-check after a job—honestly, I wish more people did.
The lined-up tabs thing drives me up the wall too. Once you see that zipper pattern, you can’t unsee it. It’s like a giant arrow pointing at shoddy work. I’ve had homeowners ask if it’s just cosmetic, but from what I’ve seen, those patterns can actually make it easier for wind to lift shingles and for water to sneak in. Not just an eyesore.
Ice dams are a nightmare here in Minnesota too. Even with all the right underlayment, if that first row isn’t sealed tight or there’s a gap, water will find its way in eventually. I’ve crawled through enough attics with stained insulation to know that for sure. Sometimes it’s not even the roof—bad ventilation and insulation play into it too, but that’s a whole other can of worms.
On synthetic underlayments: I’ve noticed they’re slicker as well. Saw a couple jobs last winter where shingles seemed to shift more than usual after a heavy storm. Not sure if it’s just the material or maybe installers not nailing enough? Either way, something’s changed compared to the old felt days.
Getting contractors to come back for bad nail lines... mixed bag, honestly. Some will own up and fix it, especially if you catch it early and have photos. Others drag their feet or blame “settling” or “normal movement”—which is pretty frustrating when you know what you’re looking at. Having clear documentation helps, but sometimes it feels like pulling teeth.
Curious if anyone’s seen manufacturers actually deny warranty claims over nail placement? I’ve heard stories but haven’t run into it myself yet...