Composition Roof, Roof damage from improper installation, need advice

That’s exactly what happened on ours. Looked totally fine till that first big rain, then water started showing up in the bedroom ceiling. Turned out the roofer had just overlapped the shingles in the valley with no flashing at all. I guess it held up for a while, but one heavy storm and we were mopping up puddles. It’s wild how much trouble a little shortcut can cause...

That’s exactly why I’m so particular about flashing, especially in valleys and around chimneys. I get that some folks try to save time or money, but skipping flashing is just asking for trouble down the line. I had a similar issue with a previous house - looked fine for years, then a heavy rain and suddenly the drywall was sagging. Honestly, it’s cheaper to do it right the first time than deal with water damage and mold later. Some contractors cut corners, but it’s the homeowner who ends up paying for it.

Couldn’t agree more about the flashing - skipping it or doing a sloppy job is just asking for leaks, especially around chimneys and valleys. I’ve seen folks try to “save” a few bucks by relying on caulk or just tucking shingles, but that never lasts. Water always finds the weak spot, and by the time you see stains or sagging drywall, the damage underneath is usually way worse than it looks.

One thing I’d add: even if the roof looks fine from the outside, bad flashing can rot out the decking or framing before you notice anything inside. I’ve torn off roofs that looked okay, only to find half the wood underneath was mush. It’s not just about leaks - it’s about the whole structure holding up.

Honestly, the cost of proper flashing is peanuts compared to what you’ll pay for repairs down the road. And if you’re in a spot with heavy rain or snow, cutting corners just isn’t worth it. Some contractors rush it, but it’s always the homeowner left cleaning up the mess.

Totally agree - skimping on flashing is just asking for trouble. I’ve had to deal with a rental where a previous owner skipped proper flashing around a vent pipe, and by the time the ceiling stains showed up, the decking was toast. Paying for a real fix up front is way cheaper than gutting half your attic later. If you’re seeing any signs of water inside, I’d get a pro to check under the shingles before it gets worse.

- Totally get what you mean about flashing - seen a few too many “shortcut specials” myself.
- It’s wild how something as small as a $10 piece of metal can end up costing thousands if it’s skipped or done sloppy.
- Had a buddy who thought caulk was enough around his vent pipe... let’s just say he’s now very familiar with attic insulation removal.
- Noticed some folks try to DIY flashing repairs, but honestly, unless you’re super confident, it’s easy to miss a step. Water finds every little gap.
- If you’re spotting stains or peeling paint inside, that’s usually the tip of the iceberg. Sometimes the decking’s already mushy by then.
- I’m in a pretty rainy area, so we see this a lot - especially on older comp roofs where the sealant’s dried up or the flashing’s rusted out.
- One thing I learned: always check around chimneys and skylights too, not just vent pipes. Those spots love to leak if the flashing’s off even a bit.
- For anyone thinking about patching from inside - yeah, it might buy you time, but it won’t fix the real issue. Water’s sneaky like that.
- If you’re not sure what’s under your shingles, getting someone up there before the next storm is way less stressful than dealing with mold later... trust me.
- And hey, sometimes it’s not even the install - squirrels chewed through my neighbor’s flashing last year. Nature’s got jokes.

Hope that helps someone dodge a headache down the line.