I hear you on the hardware cloth—squirrels chewed right through my first attempt with foam too. Not worth the hassle. I’ve got a basic asphalt shingle roof and every spring I’m up there with binoculars, just checking for anything weird. Last year I caught a tiny shingle lift before it turned into a leak, so that saved me some cash. IC-rated lights are on my list... drafts in the attic are killing my heating bill, but I keep putting it off. Funny how the “boring” fixes end up saving the most money.
Funny how the “boring” fixes end up saving the most money.
That’s honestly the truth—people get excited about flashy upgrades, but it’s those little things like sealing drafts or catching a lifted shingle early that really pay off. Checking with binoculars is smart, especially with asphalt shingles. I’ve seen folks ignore a minor lift and end up with rotten decking. IC-rated lights are definitely worth bumping up your priority list if you’re losing heat. It’s not glamorous, but it makes a difference over time.
Not gonna lie, I’m a little on the fence about the “binoculars from the ground” method. Sure, it’s safer than climbing up there, but I’ve caught plenty of sneaky issues that just don’t show up unless you’re right on the roof—especially with older asphalt shingles. Sometimes what looks like a tiny lift is actually a whole row ready to take flight in the next windstorm. I get that not everyone’s keen to play Spider-Man, but if you’re comfortable (and it’s safe), a quick walk along the eaves can save you some surprises.
And about those IC-rated lights—yeah, heat loss is real, but around here (Midwest winters), ice dams are usually the bigger headache. I’ve seen more damage from blocked gutters and poor attic ventilation than from recessed lights alone. Not saying ignore them, but sometimes folks chase one problem and miss a bigger one lurking overhead... roofs have a way of keeping us humble.
Sometimes what looks like a tiny lift is actually a whole row ready to take flight in the next windstorm.
That hits home. Last spring, I did the “from the ground” check and thought things looked fine. Couple weeks later, we had a gusty day and I found a whole patch of shingles in the backyard. Turns out, the tabs were barely hanging on. Now I do a quick ladder check along the eaves—just enough to spot those sneaky lifts. Not saying everyone should, but it saved me a headache.
Funny how you think you’ve got it covered until the wind proves otherwise. Happened to me with a low spot over the porch—looked solid from below, but when I finally got up there, half the row was loose. That quick check with a ladder makes all the difference.
