When tearing roof off is required?

So it is time to address the elephant in the room, you know the one you have been avoiding for years now. The roof on your house has been showing warning signs of a much-needed replacement, and you have been told by a number of friends and family members to talk to a roofing contractor. To be clear, roof projects are never fun; homeowners fear them for the same reason they fear foundation and other structural issues. Money!  In this post we address the ultimate roofing dilemma:  lay over the old roof or tear off before replacing the roof!

When someone says you need a new roof, this is probably the first thing that comes to mind. However, as a professional roofing company that has worked in this industry for many years, we feel compelled to educate the general public about the dangers of neglect.

Would you rather pay to have the roof fixed now or wait until something much worse happens, like water damage from an unexpected leak or a potential cave-in? To that end, just because your house needs a new roof does not mean it will require a complete tear off. A layover (re-shingling over the existing material) often provides an equivalent level of protection with the benefit of lower up-front costs. Upon an inspection of the roof, our staff will determine which option is in your best interest financially and structurally.

What’s the difference and when is a tear off needed?

So long as the existing roof is in good working order, a layover is typically the best option. However, if leaks are detected anywhere on the underlying surface or the base layer has demonstrated signs of weakness, a tear off will be the better of the two choices. Another factor to consider is how long you plan on living in the house.

If you plan to sell in the near future, there is no point (at least for your sake) to invest in a tear off, as layovers will last upwards of 15 years before they need to be replaced. On the other hand, if the house is your “forever home,” the long-term cost benefits of installing new shingles from the surface will certainly be in your favor.

Whatever option you end up selecting, our employees have the experience needed to get the job done right and give you the best roofing investment money can buy! Call today to schedule an appointment.