I’ve had ice dams twice in the last decade, both times after those weird freeze-thaw cycles we get here in central Mass. First time, water actually backed up under the shingles and dripped through a ceiling light—nothing like a surprise indoor waterfall to make you rethink your insulation strategy. I ended up pulling back some of the batts and adding baffles to get better airflow from the soffits, which helped a lot. Haven’t had a leak since, but I still get those monster icicles along the north side.
About heat cables: mixed feelings. I put them up after that first leak, but honestly, they’re kind of a pain. They work, but you have to remember to turn them on before the snow hits, and if you forget (or lose power), you’re back to square one. Plus, I always worry about them failing or causing a fire if something goes wrong. I know some folks swear by them, but I’d rather focus on attic ventilation and sealing up air leaks inside the house. Less drama in the long run.
Spray foam’s tempting for the air-sealing alone, but yeah, it’s permanent. If you ever need to run new wires or fix something, you’re cutting through a mess. I’ve heard horror stories about trapped moisture too, especially if the installer misses a spot.
Anyone else dealing with older roofs? Mine’s asphalt, about 18 years old now, and I’m starting to see some curling on the south-facing slope. Not leaking yet, but I’m wondering if it’s worth patching or just biting the bullet and budgeting for a full replacement soon. Curious how others decide when it’s time to pull the trigger—wait for leaks or go proactive?
Spray foam’s tempting for the air-sealing alone, but yeah, it’s permanent. If you ever need to run new wires or fix something, you’re cutting through a mess.
Eighteen years is pushing it for asphalt, especially with curling on the south slope. Once shingles start curling, they’re losing their seal and wind resistance. Patch jobs might buy you a season or two, but you’re just delaying the inevitable. Have you checked for granule loss in your gutters or noticed any soft spots when walking the roof? That’s usually a sign things are breaking down underneath. Curious if you’ve had anyone inspect the decking for rot yet, or are you just watching from the ground?
Eighteen years is a pretty good run for asphalt, honestly, but I’ve seen a few roofs in my buildings go south right around that mark—especially if they’re getting hammered by sun on one side. Curling shingles are always the first thing I notice, but what really gets me worried is when I see those black streaks running down from the gutters. Usually means there’s a ton of granule loss, and once that top layer’s gone, you’re just asking for leaks.
Had a place last year where the south-facing slope looked fine from the ground, but when we got up there, half the shingles were brittle and cracked. Didn’t even realize until a tenant called about a stain on their ceiling after a mild rain. Ended up having to replace some decking too—rot had set in under an old patch job. That’s the thing: patching buys you time, but sometimes it just hides bigger problems underneath.
I’m curious how folks are checking for soft spots or rot without actually getting up there. Binoculars from the ground only tell you so much. I’ve tried walking roofs myself, but with some of these older places, I get nervous about putting my weight down and making things worse. Anyone using drones or hiring inspections regularly? Or is it more of a “wait till it leaks” approach for most people?
I’ll admit, I’m skeptical about spray foam too. The air-sealing is great, but if you ever have to run new wiring or fix plumbing... well, good luck cutting through that stuff without making a mess. Had one unit where we needed to trace an electrical short and ended up basically destroying half the insulation just to get at the wires.
Anyway, curious what others have run into with older roofs—especially if you’re juggling multiple properties or dealing with insurance claims after storms. Feels like every year there’s something new to worry about once winter’s over.
That’s the thing: patching buys you time, but sometimes it just hides bigger problems underneath.
Couldn’t agree more with that. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve inherited a building where “patchwork” was the go-to for years and then, surprise, you peel back a few shingles and find out half the plywood is mush. Had a duplex last spring—looked decent from the street, but once we started poking around after a leak, there were these soft spots near the ridge that basically gave way under a little pressure. Ended up replacing about 30% of the decking. Not fun.
I’m with you on being nervous about walking some of these older roofs. I’ve got one place from the 70s with a low slope and every time I’m up there, I feel like I’m tempting fate. For me, drones have actually been a game changer. I picked up a basic one last year—nothing fancy, just good enough to get close-up shots of the shingles and flashing. It won’t tell you if the decking’s soft, but at least you can spot popped nails, missing granules, or any weird sagging. Still, sometimes you just have to get up there and do the “soft shoe” dance, gently pressing with your foot to see if anything gives.
As for inspections, I try to get a pro up there every couple years, especially after a big storm. Insurance companies are getting pickier about pre-existing damage, so having a paper trail helps. I’ve had mixed luck with adjusters actually catching the real issues though—one guy missed a whole section of hail damage because he didn’t want to walk the steeper slope.
Spray foam... yeah, it’s a double-edged sword. The energy savings are real, but I’ve had plumbers curse my name after trying to run new lines through it. Once it’s in, it’s basically permanent, so you better hope you never need to open things up again.
Every year after winter, I brace myself for the first call about a stain or drip. Seems like even if you’re proactive, there’s always something hiding up there—especially if you’re juggling older properties. At this point, I just budget for at least one “surprise” roof repair per season. Keeps things interesting, I guess.
The energy savings are real, but I’ve had plumbers curse my name after trying to run new lines through it.
I get the whole “patching hides bigger problems” thing, but honestly, sometimes patching is just the reality when you’re juggling a bunch of older places. Full tear-offs every time there’s a leak? My budget would laugh me out of the room. I’ve had roofs limp along for years with strategic patches and regular checks. Not ideal, but it beats gutting half the building every spring. And about drones—cool tech, but I still trust my own two feet (and a cautious shuffle) more than a camera when it comes to finding those soft spots.
