Roof Underlayment Issues

Work With the Best Roofing Contractors in Central Texas

Quality is at the heart of our Austin roofing company in every project we take on. Contact our experienced Central Texas roofers for a same-day, pressure-free inspection. Call 512-375-3654 to book your free inspection.

If you need a new roof installed, LOA is the roofing company to call! Our roofing experts are known for providing quality workmanship at a fair price. If you own a house or business in Central Texas you can’t afford to work with another roofer.

Find out how much roof replacement will cost in Austin, Texas and the surrounding areas.

Schedule a FREE Roof Inspection

How to Know If Your Roofing Underlayment is Damaged and What to Do About It

One of the most important parts of a roofing system isn’t seen. The underlayment is a waterproof material that is laid on top of the roof deck to protect it and everything underneath. It provides an additional layer of protection against water damage, storm damage and the tar paper of asphalt shingles. It’s absolutely essential that the underlayment be in good condition or the entire roof system could be jeopardized.

When we explain this to clients, many of them have the same question. If the underlayment is installed underneath the top layer of roofing material, shouldn’t it be protected? In theory yes, but there are a number of things that can damage the surface of roofs and the underlayment below.

Think you have an issue with your roofing underlayment?

Contact Our Team to Schedule a FREE Roof Inspection to Find Out For Sure!

Common Reasons Roof Underlayment Material Gets Damage

It doesn’t matter if you have felt underlayment or synthetic underlayment. Damage can occur to both types of underlayment material if things aren’t installed correctly and properly maintained. Below are some of the most common issues that can damage or compromise the roofing underlayment no matter what type of roof you have.

• Issues When the Roofer is Installing Underlayment Material

A roofer must install underlayment properly or there could be major problems even if the surface materials are in perfect condition. It’s crucial that the roofers roll out the underlayment smooth so that it lies perfectly flat when it’s installed. The underlayment also needs to be snug but not too tight in order to function properly.

The underlayment might not be properly sealed during the installation, which leads to other problems. Without good sealing, the underlayment won’t be a waterproof layer. However, there still needs to be adequate ventilation with synthetic underlayment or moisture can get trapped underneath.

One other issue to watch out for with roofing underlayment installation is how the material is stored and handled. If the underlayment is exposed to the heat prior to installation it can degrade the material and increase the risk of cracking and blistering after it’s installed.

• Not Using the Correct Type of Roof Underlayment

When a roofer doesn’t follow local building codes there’s a good chance the wrong underlayment material will be used that isn’t adequate for the region. There are also local codes for the number of layers that should be installed and the overlap based on the roof pitch and the environment. For example, in Texas a steep roof with a slope that’s greater than 33% only needs to have one layer of underlayment. There are also city roofing codes that may be more restrictive than the state building codes.

• Roofing Nails That Puncture the Underlayment

Installing fasteners that are too long is a big problem. If roofing nails and fasteners that are used to secure the top layer of the roof are too long they will often puncture the underlayment below. When that happens the roof underlayment no longer provides a water-tight seal and moisture can seep down to the roof deck.

In addition to using the correct size, fasteners also need to be corrosion-resistant and spaced appropriately to keep the roof underlayment in place.

• Surface Roof Leaks That Aren’t Fixed

The underlayment is a second layer of protection in case the surface of a roof is damaged and water leaks through. But that doesn’t mean the underlayment is indestructible or that surface roof leaks don’t need to be fixed. It’s actually quite the opposite. If the top layer of a shingle roof or metal roofing is damaged and allows water to seep through, eventually the underlayment will be damaged too. It’s one more reason why regular roof maintenance is so important.

• Damaged Seals

If you have metal roofing or a flat roof system, it may not be the roofing material itself that gets damaged and allows water to penetrate through to the underlayment. The seams where metal panels and roofing material meets can become damaged and allow water to leak through. It’s often the result of the seal over the seam weakening, fasteners failing or extreme temperatures causing the roof material to contract and expand, causing the seams to widen.

• Storm Damage

Hail and high winds can do a lot of damage to roofs, even below the surface. If the top layer suffers storm damage or is torn off, the underlayment is exposed and can be damaged as well.

• Improper Install of Drip Edge Flashing

There are a number of ways the drip edge flashing can be installed improperly and cause problems with the underlayment. For starters, if the drip edge flashing is installed directly over the underlayment it can trap water that causes the material to rot and allows water to leak through. It’s best practice to install the drip edge first then the underlayment to avoid this issue.

Another drip edge installation problem is not installing it far enough past the fascia. The drip edge needs to extend well past the fascia so that water flows away from the house instead of wicking back up.

• Extreme Heat and Cold

Like other parts of the roofing system, the underlayment is susceptible to extreme heat and cold. The heat can break down the underlayment material, particularly if it’s a synthetic underlayment. In cold regions the places on the roof where ice dams form, like in the eaves, need to have an ice barrier rather than standard underlayment. The ice barrier can be two layers of underlayment that are fused together.

Swings in the temperature from hot to cold or cold to hot are also problematic for the roof underlayment. It can cause the underlayment to expand and contract, which can cause the material to break.

How to Prevent and Correct Roof Underlayment Problems

You can’t avoid all roofing issues, but keeping the underlayment in good condition is possible if you follow the advice below.

Get a Roof Inspection to Assess the Condition

If you think your underlayment may be damaged the first thing you’ll want to do is get a thorough roof inspection. A professional roofer can examine the condition of the roofing system and even detect if the materials were installed incorrectly. From there you’ll know how to correct any existing issues to prevent further damage.

Use a Reputable Roofer That Follows Local Building Codes

Whether you’re installing a roof or correcting damage that’s already impacting the underlayment, it’s extremely important to use a reputable roofer that will follow local codes and the manufacturer’s recommendations. This will ensure that the correct materials are used and that they are installed properly.

Practice Proper Roof Maintenance

A lot of times damage to the underlayment can be avoided with regular roof maintenance. When the roof is properly maintained you can catch and correct minor problems before they get so big they affect the underlayment.

If your property is in Central Texas you can get reliable roof installation, maintenance and repairs from LOA. Get started with a free inspection or check out our roofing services online!

We're One of the Highest Rated Roofers in Austin for a Reason

Thanks to Landon Wells of LOA Construction for the beautiful new roof! It was all completed in one day including a meticulous clean up job afterwards. The workers were all polite and professional. Landon made sure everything went smoothly and that all of our questions were answered. I am thrilled with our new roof. I would definitely recommend Landon and LOA Construction to all of my friends and family. Thank you Landon!

— Renee Johnson

★★★★★

"I got three inspections and decided to use LOA Construction for a new roof. LOA’s Dan Harvey worked with my insurance inspector to make sure all the hail/wind damage was accounted for, gave us a good choice of shingle colors, and was great at communicating. The workers did quality work, found and repaired rotted wood and cleaned up. Highly recommend!"

— Brian McFarlin, 5-Star Google Review

★★★★★

"Brandon at LOA construction made replacement of our roof very easy. He was the only roofing contractor that I could find that would work directly with our insurance company. They showed up on time and made the whole process very easy. And we have a great looking high quality roof! I Would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a new roof. Give them a call if you need a roof or think you might have wind or hail damage. I had several other bids that were higher cost and didn't think our insurance would cover it. Our insurance did cover it, I think they were just unwilling to work with the insurance company. Not Brandon, not only was he will to work with our insurance he met with the adjuster and made the whole thing a breeze. Thanks again LOA and Brandon!!!!"

— Mike A., 5-Star Google Review

★★★★★

LOA Construction has exceeded my expectations again. This is the second roof installation with them and I couldn't be happier. Specifically, Tyler Griffiths is professional, attentive, and made the entire process of working with my insurance company effortless. My tenant sent a glowing account of their experience as well. Knowing it was a rental, they still diligently protected all property and plants. They were on time every time and went out of their way to not inconvenience the residents. LOA Construction has integrity and takes pride in their work. I couldn't recommend them more.

— Sheri Moran

★★★★★

"Worked with Zac and his team. Zac did an outstanding job working with the insurance company to ensure all damage was covered. Roof and gutters installed each were on time and all work was top of the line. This is a company that really does put the customer first. With out question I would recommend loa construction and roofing."

— Tony Smith, 5-Star Google Review

★★★★★

From the very start, I knew I was in good hands. The professionalism was top-notch, but most important, was the caring attitude of the project manager, Dan Harvey, the roofing supervisor, Ambrocio, and the roofing crew. They made sure every detail was covered. They are definitely an asset to LOA Construction. I highly recommend them. Dennis and Suzy S

— Dennis Sanger

★★★★★

Andrew was very great at getting myself and my wife all the information and getting us started from start to completion. His workers were friendly and professional. If ever I had to contact him, he was quick to respond back. We are very happy with the finished product. Yes, I would and have recommended him and his company to get their work by LOA Construction and Austin. Andrew made sure my wife would be satisfied with whatever roof she liked. Can't thank you enough Andrew and LOA Construction.

— Paul Coleman

★★★★★

As a first time home owner with no experience in how to make claims and start the process of getting a new roof I was scared to the point of avoiding what needed to get done after the bad hail storm. August Walker did an amazing job walking me through each step along the way. He answered all my questions and calmed my concerns. They inspected my roof and drove from Austin to Belton just to be there with the ins inspector, and followed up with me in person after the roof was installed. He also made a special trip back to drop off samples! I’m grateful to August and LOA construction for being highly professional and friendly!

— Angela Baker

★★★★★

From start to finish Lee and his team took great care of us. He made us feel comfortable during the process and answered any and all questions we had. I would definitely them recommend to anyone.

— Taneisha Jones

★★★★★

Arthur Harris and his team with LOA Construction did an excellent job on our roof. They finished it in one day. Arthur was very good in explaining all the information to us.

— Crystal Hill

★★★★★

Will, has been so awesome and easy to work with he gets everything we want done the way we want it and also keeps us updated as we are over the road truck drivers !!! Hands down to LOA Construction for their great service and great customer service !!!

— Tanya Dudkiewicz

★★★★★

Dan Harvey is Very Knowledgeable and directed me straight to the products that will save us money in the next 3 years the savings on energy costs alone will pay for the installation itself. I highly recommend LOA Construction and Dan Harvey! Actual Customer Jefferson Fara

— Jefferson Fara

★★★★★

Mark from LOA roofing was very professional from the git, the initial estimate process, he quickly identified all the issues that needed to be addressed. The company was very prompt, to coordinate the crew, and for a very reasonable price, got my roof repaired without any hassle. They also took care of all the cleaning, so that it all looked like nothing happened. I would recommend Mark from LOA to anyone needing a roof repair, with no kind of hesitation.

— Ale León

★★★★★

Loa Construction provides quality services in installing roof and related repairs. I’ll recommend it to my friends and family.

— Peijie Li

★★★★★

Choose quality roofing for a lasting investment in your home.

Request an Inspection

Dedicated to excellence, our Austin roofing company ensures quality in every project. Contact our skilled Central Texas roofers for a same-day, hassle-free inspection. Call +1 (512) 375-3654 to book your free inspection.