Roofing discussions and local services.
just read about roof issues popping up after winter - are you checking yours?
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I actually tried to get warranty coverage for a raccoon that tore up some shingles, but the company said animal damage wasn’t covered. Maybe it depends on your policy? I’d double-check the fine print - mine was super specific. For now, I just keep patching things up myself...
I actually tried to get warranty coverage for a raccoon that tore up some shingles, but the company said animal damage wasn’t covered. Maybe it depends on your policy? I’d double-check the fine print - mine was super specific. For now, I just keep patching things up myself...
That’s the thing with warranties - they always seem to have a catch. I’ve seen so many homeowners surprised by what *isn’t* covered, especially animal damage and “acts of God” (whatever that even means half the time). Not sure where you’re located, but in my area (Midwest), critters like raccoons and squirrels are notorious for getting up under loose shingles. I’ve even seen them chew through vent boots just to get into a warm attic.
Patching is fine short-term, but have you noticed if the same spots keep getting hit? Sometimes persistent animal problems mean there’s an entry point somewhere else that’s not obvious. I inspected a place last year where the homeowner kept replacing shingles, but it turned out there was a gap at the soffit, and the raccoons were just waltzing back in every spring. Ended up being a much bigger repair once we found all the hidden damage.
Curious - did your policy mention anything about storm-related animal damage? Some insurers will cover it if, say, a branch knocks loose a shingle and then animals get in right after. Feels like the line between “storm” and “animal” is pretty blurry sometimes.
Also, what kind of shingles do you have? I’ve noticed architectural ones seem to hold up a bit better against claws than the older 3-tab style. Not that anything’s totally raccoon-proof... but every little bit helps.
And just out of curiosity - how often are you up there checking things over? I always tell folks to have a look after any big windstorm or thaw, but honestly, most people don’t until there’s water dripping from the ceiling.
Interesting point about the storm-animal overlap - insurance companies love those gray areas. I’ve seen claims get denied just because the adjuster decided the raccoon showed up “after” the storm, not during. Ever had an adjuster actually come out and look at the damage, or do they just go off photos? Sometimes it feels like they’re looking for any excuse to say no. Also, are you using any deterrents, like metal flashing or repellents, or just patching as needed? I’ve heard mixed results on those ultrasonic things...
I’ve actually had adjusters come out a couple times, but more often it’s just photos and a phone call. It really depends on the company. As for deterrents, metal flashing around roof edges has worked better for my clients than sprays or those ultrasonic gadgets - those seem hit or miss. Patching’s fine short-term, but if critters find a weak spot once, they’ll usually try again.
metal flashing around roof edges has worked better for my clients than sprays or those ultrasonic gadgets - those seem hit or miss.
Yeah, I’ve seen the same thing. Those ultrasonic things are more of a gimmick in my experience - critters just ignore them after a while. Metal flashing’s not foolproof, but it’s way better than patching with foam or mesh. I do wish insurance companies were more consistent about sending someone out, though. Sometimes you get a real inspection, other times it’s just “send us pics and we’ll decide.” Makes you wonder what gets missed...
Metal flashing’s not foolproof, but it’s way better than patching with foam or mesh.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had decent luck with heavy-duty mesh in a couple spots where flashing just wasn’t practical (weird angles, old chimney base, that kind of thing). It’s not as bulletproof as metal, but if you double up and use the right fasteners, it can hold up for a few seasons - especially if you’re on a tight budget. I do agree that foam is pretty much useless for anything persistent, though. Critters chew right through it.
Insurance is a whole other headache. Last year, they just wanted photos after a hailstorm. I tried to be thorough, but I’m no expert - missed a cracked vent boot that turned into a leak months later. If you’re doing your own checks, I’d say look at all the weird corners and under the eaves, not just the obvious spots. Sometimes the “quick fix” is all you can afford, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for stuff that might get worse over time.
I’ve always wondered if mesh actually holds up long-term, especially with squirrels or raccoons around. Have you ever had critters get through your mesh patches, or does doubling up really stop them? I’ve only used metal so far, but there are spots where it’s just not practical, like you said. Also, how do you handle those weird corners when you’re checking for leaks? I always feel like I’m missing something in the valleys or behind the gutters.
- Had squirrels chew through cheap mesh once. Upgraded to hardware cloth, doubled up in weak spots - no new holes so far.
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Same here. I use a hose to check those spots - run water and watch inside for drips.“I always feel like I’m missing something in the valleys or behind the gutters.”
- Corners are a pain. I jam a flashlight up there and look for daylight or stains. Not perfect, but better than nothing.
- Metal’s great but yeah, sometimes it just won’t fit. Mesh is a compromise, but you gotta check it every season.
I get the appeal of hardware cloth - definitely tougher than standard mesh. But honestly, I’ve had critters find their way in even with doubled-up metal in some spots. It’s wild how persistent squirrels can be. What’s worked better for me is going with a living roof - sedum mats over a waterproof membrane. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s kept the animals out, and it insulates pretty well. Downside: more upfront work and you gotta watch drainage, especially in corners. Still, I don’t miss patching up chewed holes every spring.
Living roofs are definitely cool - love the insulation factor - but yeah, that drainage issue can sneak up on you. I’ve seen a few folks get water pooling in one corner and suddenly there’s a leak right through the ceiling. Personally, I still stick with hardware cloth in combo with flashing, but I add a bead of sealant at the seams. Not perfect, but it slows down the critters. Curious if your sedum mats ever get heavy after a big rain? That weight can stress older rafters if you’re not careful...
- Not sure hardware cloth + flashing is enough long-term. Critters here (squirrels, mostly) chew right through sealant after a season or two.
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- That’s my main worry with sedum mats. Saw a neighbor’s porch roof sag after a wet spring.“that weight can stress older rafters if you’re not careful...”
- I stick with plain old shingles. Less “green,” but fewer surprises, especially on older houses.
- Drainage is always the weak spot, no matter the system. If you can’t see under the mat, you won’t know there’s a problem until it’s too late.
Seen this plenty - sedum mats look great at first, but I’ve inspected a few roofs where the extra weight (especially after a wet winter) led to sagging joists. Not worth the risk on anything built before the 80s, in my book. Shingles might not be “green,” but they’re predictable. And yeah, drainage always tells the real story... if you can’t see it, you won’t spot trouble until you’ve got rot.“that weight can stress older rafters if you’re not careful...”
Seen a lot of folks get seduced by those green roof pics online, but yeah - older rafters just aren’t built for that kind of load, especially once the mat soaks up a few weeks’ worth of rain. I’ve crawled through more than one attic where the joists looked like spaghetti noodles after a wet winter. Not exactly confidence-inspiring.
I get the appeal of going “eco,” but sometimes predictable is better, especially if you’re dealing with 60-year-old lumber that’s already seen a few decades of snow and ice. Shingles might not win any beauty contests, but at least you know what you’re getting into.
Drainage is the sneaky villain here. You can have the fanciest roof in the neighborhood, but if water’s pooling up there, it’ll find its way in eventually. Ever try explaining to someone that their “living roof” is now living in their living room? Not fun.
Curious if anyone’s tried retrofitting extra support under an old roof for this kind of thing? Or is it just asking for trouble?
Curious if anyone’s tried retrofitting extra support under an old roof for this kind of thing? Or is it just asking for trouble?
You’re not wrong about drainage being the real troublemaker. I’ve seen a few folks try to beef up old rafters for green roofs - sistering joists, adding posts, that sort of thing - but honestly, it’s rarely straightforward. Sometimes you end up chasing one weak spot after another. If the lumber’s already tired, you might just be delaying bigger issues. Still, with the right structural engineer and a realistic budget, it’s not impossible... just rarely cheap or simple. I get the eco appeal too, but sometimes “predictable” is underrated.
I hear you on the “predictable” part - sometimes boring is good, especially when it comes to roofs. I tried reinforcing my old shed roof a few years back, thinking I could save some cash and get a few more years out of it. Ended up spending more than I planned, and honestly, it still creaks every time we get heavy rain. If your roof’s already showing its age, sometimes patching just buys you time, not peace of mind. Still, if you’re handy and don’t mind a project, it can be worth a shot... just keep your expectations realistic.
That sounds familiar… I patched a couple spots on our roof after the first winter in our place, thinking it’d hold up.
That really sums it up. The leaks stopped for a bit, but I’m always half-expecting another drip when it rains hard. I get wanting to save money, but sometimes I wonder if just biting the bullet and replacing the whole thing would be less stressful.“sometimes patching just buys you time, not peace of mind.”
“sometimes patching just buys you time, not peace of mind.”
That line hits home. I patched a few shingles last spring after a windstorm - looked fine at first, but then we got a heavy rain and water found a new way in. It’s like playing whack-a-mole. I get wanting to save cash, but honestly, the stress of wondering if your patch will hold every time it storms gets old fast. Sometimes a full replacement really is the only way to stop worrying.
That’s exactly it - patch jobs are like putting a band-aid on something that probably needs stitches. I’ve gone the patching route more times than I care to admit, especially when money was tight or I thought “eh, it’ll hold another season.” But every time we’d get one of those sideways spring rains, I’d find myself poking around the attic with a flashlight at 2am, checking for drips. Not fun.
I live in the Midwest where wind and ice really do a number on roofs. My place has asphalt shingles - supposedly good for 25 years, but after about 15 you start seeing the edges curl and granules piling up in the gutters. First couple leaks I tried to fix myself - replaced a few shingles here, dabbed some roofing cement there. Looked fine from the ground, but water always finds a way. Next thing you know, you’ve got water stains creeping across the bedroom ceiling and you’re pricing out drywall repairs too.
What finally convinced me was realizing how much time and stress I was burning just worrying about it. Got a couple quotes for full replacement last year - painful price tag, no doubt - but honestly, since getting it done I sleep better when storms roll through. The peace of mind is real.
One thing I will say though: not every roof needs a full tear-off right away. If your roof’s still got some life left and the damage is isolated (like one branch punched through), sometimes a solid patch by someone who knows what they’re doing can buy you a few more years. But if you’re patching in multiple spots or seeing leaks pop up in new places each season? That’s usually your sign.
And don’t even get me started on insurance… half the battle is convincing them it’s not just “wear and tear.”
That’s the thing - how do you even know when a patch is “good enough” versus just delaying the inevitable? I’ve seen some folks get a few more years out of a solid repair, but others end up chasing leaks all over. Did you ever try using any of those sealant tapes or just stick with shingles and cement?
I get what you’re saying, but honestly, I think a lot of those “quick fixes” like sealant tape are just bandaids. I tried using one of those tapes on a cracked shingle last spring (midwest weather here - brutal freeze/thaw cycles), and it held for maybe six months before I was back up there with buckets during a storm. For me, it’s almost always been worth spending the extra time with proper shingles and cement, even if it’s a pain. The patch jobs might work for a bit, but in my experience, you end up spending more overall when you keep chasing leaks around. Maybe I’m just unlucky, but I’d rather do it right once than keep patching every year...