I've seen a few cases where the underlayment was stored outside at the job site for weeks before installation—rain, sun, you name it. Even a short exposure can weaken it. Sometimes it's just a combo of factors adding up...not always bad luck alone.
I feel your pain on this one. When we redid our roof a couple years back, the underlayment was sitting in our driveway for at least a week before the crew got around to installing it. It rained twice during that time, and I remember thinking, "Isn't this stuff supposed to stay dry?" Sure enough, we had some issues within just a few years—nothing major, but definitely sooner than expected. I think you're onto something about the combo of factors. Even if the material itself is good quality, improper storage or handling can really shorten its lifespan. It's frustrating because you pay good money expecting things to last, but sometimes it's just out of your control. Hang in there...you're definitely not alone in noticing this!
You're definitely onto something. When we did ours, the contractor mentioned that UV exposure can also degrade underlayment pretty quickly if it's left uncovered too long. Makes sense why yours didn't hold up as expected...it's frustrating for sure.
Yeah, UV exposure definitely speeds up deterioration, but there's more to it than just sunlight. I've seen underlayments fail prematurely even when covered quickly, usually because of improper installation or moisture issues. If the surface isn't clean and dry before laying it down, trapped moisture can weaken the material from underneath. Also, some contractors rush through and don't overlap seams correctly—big mistake there. You gotta make sure each layer overlaps enough (usually around 4–6 inches depending on the product), and seal edges properly with roofing tape if recommended by the manufacturer.
Another thing people overlook is storage conditions before installation. Leaving rolls out in the weather or stacked improperly can damage them before they're even installed. Learned that one the hard way on a job last summer... ended up replacing half a roof's worth of underlayment because someone left it exposed overnight in heavy rain.
Bottom line: proper handling, careful installation, and quick covering with shingles or tiles are key to getting the lifespan promised on the package.
Good points about moisture and installation, but honestly, I've seen even properly installed underlayments fail sooner than expected. Makes me wonder if manufacturers are overly optimistic with their lifespan claims. I mean, sure, improper handling and installation can shorten the life dramatically, but even when everything's done by the book, some products just don't hold up as advertised.
One thing I've noticed is that climate seems to play a bigger role than people realize. In humid or rainy areas, even minor imperfections in sealing or overlaps can lead to issues down the road. Maybe manufacturers test under ideal conditions rather than real-world scenarios?
Curious if anyone's had better luck with synthetic vs traditional felt underlayments. I've heard mixed things—some swear synthetics last way longer, others say they're not worth the extra cost. Haven't personally tried synthetic yet... is it really that much better?
