Three grand sounds about right, unfortunately. Storm damage always seems to uncover the stuff nobody saw coming—especially if the last crew cut corners. I’ve managed a few places where we thought everything was buttoned up, then a big rain hits and suddenly you’re chasing water from the attic all the way down to the basement. It’s frustrating, but honestly, it’s more common than most folks realize.
I do agree on keeping an eye on every seam and joint. I’ve started taking photos during repairs, too—makes it easier to hold people accountable if something goes sideways later. Sometimes insurance helps, sometimes not, depending on how they classify the damage. Either way, it’s never cheap or quick.
If there’s any silver lining, it’s that catching these issues early saves you a lot more down the line. I’ve seen folks ignore a small leak and end up with mold or structural headaches that cost five times as much. Painful lesson, but you’re definitely not alone in dealing with it.
Storm damage always seems to uncover the stuff nobody saw coming—especially if the last crew cut corners.
That’s the truth. I can’t count how many times I’ve opened up a roof after a storm and found shortcuts from previous repairs—missing underlayment, reused flashing, you name it. It’s frustrating for everyone. Photos during repairs are a game changer, though. I started doing that after a client challenged a warranty claim, and it saved us both a headache. You’re spot on about catching things early; water has a way of finding every weak spot, and by the time you see it inside, it’s already done some damage. Three grand stings, but like you said, ignoring it can get way pricier down the road.
water has a way of finding every weak spot, and by the time you see it inside, it’s already done some damage.
That line hits home. I’ve torn off shingles after a hailstorm and found rot that must’ve been brewing for years—usually right where someone skipped ice & water shield or just slapped new felt over old. Photos are huge, but I also started marking up diagrams for clients so there’s no confusion later. Three grand is rough, but I’ve seen folks wait and end up with mold remediation on top of roof work... that’s when it really hurts the wallet.
That’s honestly what worries me the most—by the time you notice a leak, it’s already been working its way through for who knows how long. We bought our place last fall and the inspection flagged a “minor moisture issue” in the attic, but once I poked around after the first big rain, I realized the decking was soft in spots. Ended up getting estimates that ranged from $2,800 to nearly $7,000, depending on whether they had to replace sheathing or just do shingles.
I keep hearing mixed opinions on whether it’s worth upgrading to synthetic underlayment instead of traditional felt. The price difference wasn’t huge, but I wasn’t sure if it really made a big impact on long-term durability, especially with all the freeze-thaw cycles we get here. Did anyone go that route, and did it help with preventing future leaks? Or is it more about the install quality than the materials themselves?
That’s a tough spot to be in—soft decking is never a good sign, but catching it before it gets worse is something, at least. The range you’re seeing on estimates is pretty typical, especially if there’s uncertainty about how much of the sheathing actually needs to go. Sometimes contractors can’t give a final number until they open things up, which drives me nuts as someone who likes to budget everything out upfront.
About the underlayment: I’ve dealt with both felt and synthetic on different properties over the years (mostly asphalt shingle roofs, in the Midwest). In my experience, synthetic does hold up better against moisture and doesn’t wrinkle as easily if it gets wet before the shingles go on. That said, I haven’t noticed a dramatic difference in leak prevention once everything’s installed properly. The biggest factor I’ve seen is really how well the flashing and valleys are done—if those aren’t tight, even the fanciest underlayment won’t save you from leaks after a rough winter.
The freeze-thaw cycles you mentioned are brutal here too. I’ve seen felt get brittle and start to break down after just a few years on some roofs, especially where there’s poor attic ventilation or ice damming. Synthetic seems to resist that kind of wear better, but as you said, the cost difference isn’t huge anymore.
One thing I’d watch for: sometimes crews rush through installation and leave gaps or don’t overlap the underlayment enough. That’s where problems start, no matter what material you pick. If you haven’t already, ask your contractor what their process is for prepping the roof deck and how they handle seams/edges. A little extra attention there can save a lot of headaches down the line.
Honestly, I’d lean toward synthetic if you’re planning to stay put for a while—less chance of issues cropping up ten years from now. But if your main concern is preventing leaks right now, making sure whoever does the work actually takes their time is probably more important than which underlayment goes down.
Hope this helps a bit... Roofing surprises are never fun but sounds like you’re being proactive about it—which is half the battle with water damage.
