Good points here. I've dealt with plenty of roofs where the ventilation was fine, but storm damage to flashing or shingles still caused moisture headaches. Insurance adjusters sometimes latch onto venting because it's an easy out, but you're right—it's rarely the whole story. Always worth checking around chimneys, valleys, and skylights too...those spots can be sneaky troublemakers after heavy weather. Glad you're looking beyond the obvious stuff; that's how you catch issues early.
"Always worth checking around chimneys, valleys, and skylights too...those spots can be sneaky troublemakers after heavy weather."
Totally agree about skylights—mine leaked after a storm even though the roof itself seemed fine. Insurance tried to blame it on "poor maintenance," but honestly, how often do people climb up and inspect flashing regularly? Maybe insurers could be clearer about what's considered routine upkeep versus storm damage...would save us homeowners a lot of confusion and frustration. Did you end up having to cover repairs yourself, or did insurance eventually step in?
Yeah, skylights are definitely sneaky little devils...mine decided to spring a leak right after I bragged to my neighbor about how well they'd held up in the storm. Talk about karma, huh? Insurance gave me the same runaround—said it was "wear and tear," even though the timing was suspiciously convenient for them. Ended up patching it myself with some roofing sealant and crossed fingers.
Honestly, though, who climbs up there regularly to inspect flashing and seals? It's not exactly a weekend hobby for most of us. Maybe insurers should hand out ladders and binoculars when we sign policies, just so we're clear on expectations...
Honestly, insurers will always find a loophole to dodge payouts. But leaks aside, maybe it's worth considering green roofs or living roofs—plants naturally absorb water and protect underlying layers. Anyone here tried or looked into that route?
I've installed a few green roofs over the years, and they're definitely worth considering—but they're not a magic bullet. One project I did downtown had a pretty extensive living roof system. It worked great for runoff control and insulation, but you have to be careful about weight loads and structural integrity. Plants, soil, and drainage layers add significant weight, especially when saturated after heavy rains.
Also, maintenance is something people overlook. It's not exactly set-and-forget; you'll need regular inspections to make sure roots aren't penetrating membranes or drains aren't clogging up. I've seen cases where neglect led to leaks worse than traditional roofs because issues weren't caught early.
Bottom line: green roofs can be fantastic if you're prepared for the upfront costs and ongoing care. But don't count on them to completely sidestep insurance headaches—insurers will always find some fine print if they really want to dodge a payout...
