I’ve noticed the same thing with old felt—once it gets a few years on it, water just finds its way in. I switched to a recycled synthetic underlayment last summer and honestly, it’s been way less trouble. Didn’t expect it to make such a difference, but the attic’s stayed bone dry even after two big storms. Only downside is it was a bit pricier, but I figure that’s cheaper than chasing leaks every spring.
I’m right there with you on the felt—mine was about 12 years old and started letting water in around the chimney flashing. I went with a synthetic underlayment too, though I hesitated because of the price. But honestly, after last winter’s ice dam mess, I’d pay double if it means not dragging buckets into the attic every March. Only thing I noticed is it’s a bit slicker to walk on during install, but that’s a small tradeoff. Sometimes spending a little more upfront really does save the headache later.
- Same experience here—my old felt lasted about 10 years before it started leaking at the valleys.
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Agree, but I found if you wear shoes with softer rubber soles, it helps a bit. Still not great on a steep pitch though.“Only thing I noticed is it’s a bit slicker to walk on during install, but that’s a small tradeoff.”
- Synthetic definitely costs more upfront, but after dealing with blown-off shingles and water stains in the guest room, I’m convinced it’s worth it.
- One thing I’d add: check your attic ventilation. Poor airflow made my ice damming worse than it had to be.
- Noticed less wrinkling under the shingles with synthetic too—looks cleaner from the street.
I’m with you on the synthetic underlayment—costs more, but after patching up leaks from old felt, I’d rather pay upfront than deal with water stains and drywall repairs later. I switched to synthetic last year and noticed the same thing: way less wrinkling, and it just looks better from the curb.
One thing I’d add for anyone checking their roof after winter: start by looking for popped nails or lifted shingles, especially around valleys and edges. That’s where I always find trouble first. If you see any granules piling up in the gutters, that’s another sign the shingles are wearing out.
Attic ventilation is a big one too. I used to get ice dams every year until I added a couple more vents—made a bigger difference than I expected. If you’re in a colder spot, make sure your insulation isn’t blocking airflow at the eaves.
And yeah, walking on synthetic is sketchy. I use those cheap foam gardening kneepads strapped to my shoes for a bit more grip... not perfect, but better than nothing. Just take it slow if you’re up there.
Synthetic’s definitely a step up from old-school felt, but I’ll admit, I’ve seen some folks get a little too confident on those slick surfaces—your kneepad hack’s clever. I usually tell people: if you’re not sure-footed, maybe leave the acrobatics to the pros… or at least keep the ER on speed dial.
Curious if anyone’s tried those newer peel-and-stick underlayments? I’ve only used them on low-slope sections, but they seem to hold up well in freeze/thaw cycles. Wondering if it’s worth the extra cost for a full roof, or just overkill for most homes.