2 Year old Failure!! “One of the reasons we chose this home, was because It had a new roof”.

In the late Summer of 2025, I was asked to look at this roof, it was owned by a young couple, just starting out. This was their first home. They told me part of the deciding factor in choosing this home was the newly replaced roof. From the front yard it looked good. It did not go too long however, before a few leaks developed.

Upon arrival I noticed immediately that it had some algae showing already, which suggested attic heat buildup. This heat retention causes more dew and moisture on the external roof surface, creating an excellent enviroment for Algae growth.

I investigated the situation, and I felt so badly for them. The chimney flashing had not been replaced. While that did not show any signs of leaking, as we found later, water was already getting under the shingles. I initially thought that with all the improperly installed vents being in one location, we could replace them along with one or two sheets of OSB, and get some life out of the roof. After giving them all the options, the decision was made to start over, with a clean sheet. In the end I was very much glad they were able to find the resources to do so.

As we were working on the project, our previous experience from working on roofs with premature failure proved true yet again. That is, if a few mistakes as obvious as nail placement, or a flashing install are found, MANY unseen issues are there as well.

To list a few,

—Just because you have vented soffit does not mean you have opened eaves for proper air intake.

—Ridge vent is not all created equal, and some flows so little air it may as well not be there. The non-baffled ridge vent had water marks from moisture intrusion as it reverse flowed from driving wind and rain, compounding the moisture and condensation issues.

These flashings are absolutely not water shedding. The only thing that keep them from leaking worse was a little caulking and some underlayment.

The roofing industry business model incentivizes the crew doing the install to do a quick in/out job. If the persons installing or managing it care more about the monetary aspect than the longevity and protection of your home, the roof is doomed to fail, statistically our 2025 season has a 97.3% rate of improper ventilation.

The Finished product installed is a Rubberized Polymer Modified Asphalt, STORM GREY roof. The highest Category, Class 4 impact resistant roof that will be maintenance free for MANY years.