Composition Roof, Roof damage from improper installation, need advice

That sounds a lot like what I’m dealing with here in western Oregon - drizzle for months, but rarely those big downpours you see elsewhere. I get why you’d want to hold off on a full replacement, especially with that much square footage. Roof work gets expensive fast, and if the damage is just above the soffit and not threatening the interior, it makes sense to keep an eye on it and patch as needed.

One thing I’ve noticed with these PNW roofs is that the constant dampness can sneak up on you. Even if it’s not leaking inside, sometimes the wood up there starts to get soft or moss creeps in. I started using a moss treatment every spring, and it’s helped a ton. Not sure if you’re already doing that, but it’s worth considering if you haven’t.

Have you looked into any of the newer “cool roof” or green roofing options? I know a full replacement isn’t on your radar right now, but when the time comes, some of those materials handle our wet climate better and can even help with energy bills. I went with a recycled rubber shingle a few years back - wasn’t cheap, but it’s held up better than the old asphalt ever did, and it’s made from old tires, so there’s that eco bonus.

Anyway, sounds like you’ve got a good plan for now. Just keep an eye out for any soft spots or weird smells in the attic - sometimes that’s the first sign of trouble before you see water inside. The “kick the can” approach is pretty common around here, honestly. Roofs are just one of those things you hope to get a few more years out of before biting the bullet.

I hear you on the moss - seems like it’s a full-time job just keeping that stuff off the roof around here. I’ve tried a couple different treatments, but honestly, nothing beats getting up there and brushing it off every spring. The “cool roof” thing is interesting, but I’m a little skeptical about how well some of those materials actually hold up in our soggy climate. I had a neighbor go with metal and he’s had condensation issues ever since. Maybe it’s just luck of the draw, but I’m sticking with composition for now... at least until something really forces my hand.

I’m with you on the moss - seems like every spring I’m up there with a broom and a bucket. I’ve looked into those zinc strips, but honestly, for the price, I just keep doing it myself. As for composition roofs, mine’s about 15 years old and still holding up, but I did have some issues early on because the installer didn’t line up the shingles right at the valleys. Ended up with a slow leak that took forever to track down. If you’re seeing any weird staining or soft spots, might be worth checking those areas first before it gets worse.

Funny you mention valleys - that’s where I see most of the problems on these older comp roofs. I’ve torn into a few where the underlayment was barely covering the seams, and water just found its way in over time. Did you ever get up there and check if the flashing was installed right, or was it just the shingle alignment? Sometimes it’s both, especially if the crew was rushing.

Valleys are always the trouble spots, especially on these older comp roofs. I’ve seen a bunch where the flashing was just slapped in, or worse, skipped altogether. Last winter I checked out a place where the shingles looked fine from the ground, but once I got up there, you could see water had been sneaking in right at the valley - flashing was short and the underlayment was barely hanging on. Sometimes it’s not even the alignment, just plain old shortcuts. Makes you wonder how many leaks start that way...