Are you wondering if it is ok to roof over your existing roof?
The answer is yes you can, but on the other side of the coin, the mainstream answer these days is no you shouldn’t. We have to always think about saving money, in the short and long term, and a roof replacement is part of that. While some home maintenance tasks are menial and are very straightforward, others are more challenging and require concerted efforts and a lot of expertise! In the latter case, one area of your home is the dreaded roof of course – so high and out of sight!
It needs some TLC as well, as roofs wear down over the long haul and need your proactive attention. But common question we get asked about is whether or not you can roof over your old roof. Today, we will go over just that but we will start with first knowing when o replace your roof.
When Would a Roof Need to be Replaced?
As mentioned before, roofs over a long period of time experience wear and tear due to a variety of different variables such as climate, faulty gutters, built-up residue that can spawn mold sores, you name it! While the life expectancy of a new shingle roof is 30+ years, there are always factors to consider, however, here are some signs that your roof needs to be replaced below:
- Cracked, broken, and missing shingles
- Unevenness of roof
- Excessive buildup of moisture in between shingles and roof (especially when roof mold spores are present).
- Water leaks and stains on interior roof and walls
- Gutter Rust
Roofing Over and Existing Roof: What you need to know!
Roofing over an existing roof comes with both positives and negatives that must be taken into account! Keep in mind there is no one size fits all solution for re-roofing your house and some positive and/or negative aspects may or may not apply to you.
When in doubt, call it out! Consultation with a licensed roofing professional will always be the recommended next course of action. The simple answer to roofing over your existing roof is as follows:
| Yes: | No: |
| You can roof over your existing roof and this occurred back in the day more often than not. The thought was that more layers meant more protection. However, it is not the preferred installation method any longer so you usually don’t want to do it! | As it stands today, you should not roof over your existing roof. The technology has changed over the years and it is better to tear off the old layer of shingles and replace them with new shingles! |
Benefits?
- Cost-Effectiveness
Roofing over your existing roof will save you on additional costs as opposed to doing it from scratch since there is already an existing layer of shingles, saving you an incredible amount of money with the consequence of bolstering insulation and deterring leaks of any kind that may come about due to moisture saturation.
- It’s Convenient
Having to remove the first, previous layer of shingles on a roof can not only demand a lot of time, but also labor and if we are being honest, safety risks. All you have to do is apply an additional layer, and you are all set and ready to go! Simple as that!
- It’s Faster
Re-roofing for professional roofers is a short-order job, which means quicker turn arounds! If you want a quick answer for your roofing woes, re-roofing is the answer!
Drawbacks?
- It shortens the lifespan of your roof.
Earlier on, I mentioned there is no one-size fits all option when it comes to re-roofing, and in some cases, there isn’t a viable option at all to do so. Additional layers of shingles play an integral role in trapping heat. When that occurs over a period of time, it actually does more harm than good in increasing the decomposition rate of the shingles. Being eaten from within!
This inadvertently will cause you to have to start from scratch and replace it sooner than later, which is a burden not only in the cost, but time, and peace of mind!
- It’s too heavy
Additional layers of shingles can be very heavy, which can thus compromise the structural integrity of your roof! Some varieties of shingles like polymer composite shingles are denser (can be 350+ per square feet!) and are likely to do just that in combination with stress from the elements in your particular region.
Unevenness can be the catalyst for excess moisture to accumulate in particular areas, which invites a whole host of issues such as the spawning of mold sores, moss, pests, structural damage, and so forth! Yikes, you might want to think twice!
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What’s the Verdict?
Re-roofing is a home improvement project that works for some, and can be a disaster for others! It all comes down to understanding the current state of affairs of your roof, the ins, and outs of it, the foundation up. Sound intimidating? Yes, it is. Every step you make counts!
When it doubt, call it out! Keep that phrase in mind, because getting a second opinion on your house’s roof may be the difference to making your life a whole lot easier!
