When To Remove The Old Roof
Though it is sometimes difficult to tell when removing the old roof for a new one is the better decision, there are some warning signs that clue you in. If you already have two layers of shingles, then it is time to get a new roof. If you weren’t the one to do the overlay, who knows how long the bottom layer has been there? Plus, most building codes only allow for two layers of roofing.
Does your roof leak when it rains? It’s time for a new one. While you can still do an overlay in this situation, the leaks do not get fixed and it becomes harder to identify where they come from. You should also replace the roof entirely if your shingles are curling. An overlay should lay flat, which can’t happen with curled shingles, so it is best to replace.
Taking Care Of Your New Roof
Once the crew is done putting new shingles over old ones, it is best to have your roof professionally inspected once or twice a year. Season after season, you want to ensure that there is no storm damage you cant see from the ground. You also want to find out right away if a warranty claim is ever necessary.Your roofer can also perform seasonal maintenance to extend the life of your new roof. Occasional cleaning removes debris, moss growth and algae buildup. Replacing missing or broken shingles prevents minor issues from becoming major ones.
Discuss Your Options With A Roofing Expert
At Liberty Roofing Restoration, our professionals will explore your options with you. If you are considering a replacement or just a repair, we offer expert advice and a range of services to meet your needs.
We know that a healthy roof protects you, your home, and your family from the elements, making the condition of your roof important.
Get a free inspection with Liberty today to ensure you make the right decision.
Have you figured out whether you should or should not shingle over shingles, but are considering changing up the style of your roof? Check out How to Choose the Right Roofing Materials For Your Home
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When And Why To Put A New Roof Over An Existing Roof
When your roof starts to fail, but it is in an overallgood condition, a reroofing might be the best choice for you. What does it meanto have a roof that is failing but is still in a relatively good state? Itmeans that your roof may be at the end of its life, but its underlyingstructures and sheathing are in a generally good condition. Your shingles maybe losing granules and are worn out due to age or weather, but they are notcausing leaks, they are not curling or missing. These are all goodpredispositions for installing a new layer of shingles over the existing one.
Reroofing can also be done when you simply want orneed a change on your roof you may want a different design or color, or youmay be completely renovating your home so you want the roof to match your newstyle. But even if your main goal isnt redesigning your roof, it willnonetheless gain a new aesthetic appeal. Installing a new shingle layer willgive your roof depth and even a three-dimensional appearance, as it is slightlyraised due to the existing layer of shingles beneath it.
Hides Signs Of Damage
If youre considering a layover because youve spotted a leak, then youre already past due for replacing your roof. If your roof is under 10-years-old then the leak is most likely the result of poor workmanship. If your roof is over 15-years-old then your roof needs to be replaced rather than going the route of spot-repairs or a layover. A second layer of shingles will actually make it harder to identify when you should fully replace your roof.
Algae and mold, flashing or cement damage, worn or damaged shingles, fiberglass granules collecting around your house, and curling, peeling, or blown off shingles are all indicators that its time to replace your roof. You wont be able to see any of that if theres a layover.
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In The State Of Florida
The state of Florida has certain regulations on when a roof needs to be torn off before being replaced versus when it will allow the existing roof to be covered by new roofing materials.
In Florida, a roofer must remove the existing roofing in the following circumstances:
- If the roof is water soaked or badly deteriorated
- If blisters exist in any of the old roofing material.
- If the existing roof is gravel or of similar material
- If the existing roof is slate or a similar material
- If the roofing structure cannot support the weight of an additional layer of roofing material
- If the existing roof has two or more layers of any type of roofing material
Roof Repair Safety Tips
USA Today reports roofing is the fourth most dangerous job in America. Working on a roof is physically demanding because it involves climbing, bending, kneeling, and heavy lifting, explains the Bureau of Labor Statistics .
Before beginning any roof repairs, you should understand it is physically challenging work. Take some safety precautions:
- Consider the slope and height of your roof. Working on a very steep or high roof requires extra safety equipment to prevent falls.
- If your roof is unstable or has soft spots, do not attempt the work yourself. There could be a risk of collapse.
- Never work in inclement, rainy, snowy, or windy weather.
- Be certain of your ladder placement Secure the feet and the top of the ladder.
- While on the roof, always be aware of the edge. You could lose track of your position while working.
- Only use the proper equipment for roof repair including proper personal protective equipment.
- Ask a friend or family member to help you so you have someone to stabilize your ladder and get any tools or material you need.
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How Long Does A Reroof Last
The 26 gauge and 29 gauge cheaper metal roofing options can last for up to 25 years if taken care of. On the high-end, the 24 gauge metal roofing option can last for up to 50 years. However, most manufacturers offer a 20-year warranty and some even a lifetime warranty which is dependent on the metal used.
When Is It Not Recommended To Do A Reroofing
After their roof inspection, a professional roofer will come to you with his report or a recommendation, explaining why your roof is or isnt suitable for reroofing. You can ask for a few roof estimates from different contractors just to be sure that you are doing the right thing. That way you can choose the best roofer for yourself. One of the main and most straightforward reasons a roof isnt suitable for reroofing is curling shingles, as you can only install a new shingles layer if the existing shingle roof is completely flat and level. A second reason can be the presence of existing damage to the wooden structure underneath, such as rot or sagging.
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Does Flashing Go Over Or Under Shingles
Instead of installing the step flashing between shingles, the flashing rests on top of the shingles. Its not unusual to see sealant installed when sidewall flashing is missing. Sealant will eventually dry, shrink and crack. Youll see sealant substituted for flashing in a lot of different areas on roofs.
Manufacturer Specifications And Warranty
Even with the best warranties, it may be hard to track someone down after 40 or 50 years so they can assess your roof and write you a check for any damage. Depreciation may also significantly reduce the amount youd receive. This is why its good advice to purchase the best product you can afford, follow the specifications of the manufacturer, and have it installed properly. Then, you can pitch the warranty after about five years.
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Youre Trying To Minimize The Cost Of A New Roof
Putting new roof shingles on top of old shingles can be more cost-effective, at least in the short run. Roofers will spend fewer hours on labor and clean-up since they wont need to tear off your current shingles. The smaller the mess there is and the shorter time spent on labor, the less you will be charged.
Otherwise, if you have your roof replaced, a large part of the cost goes toward labor fees.
When You Shouldnt Install Roofing Over Existing Shingles
- Two Layers Already: If youve installed a second layer of shingles over an existing roof, you shouldnt do so again. Adding several layers of shingles on your roof can violate local building codes, and can place too much weight on your roof. You should always check local regulations before proceeding with reroofing.
- Leaks: If your current roof is leaking water, you shouldnt install a new layer of shingles to cover it up. Instead, you need to remove your old roof so that you can find the source of the leak. You may also need to repair water damage to your attic and roofing trusses, depending on the severity of the leak.
- Warranty Violations: You should also check the warranties that come with the shingles that you choose to install. Some manufacturers will not honor a warranty on shingles that you install over existing shingles. This means that they will not reimburse you in the event of roofing damage, shingle failure or leaks.
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Why Not To Choose The Shingle Over Method
Most roofing companies are going to recommend tearing off your current shingles and starting fresh with a brand new layer of shingles . The sales representatives arent trying to just charge you more money because they have to hit a sales goal, but this is just best practice for the longevity of your roof and security of your home. Heres why:
- Roof deck and underlayment go unchecked: When roofers dont tear off your current shingles, they arent able to inspect the status of the roof deck and underlayment. These are two materials that exist under your layer of shingles that add extra protection for your homes interior. If roofers cant get underneath the shingles, they cant identify any problem areas such as soft, spongy, or rotting spots in the roof decking . The underlayment could be deteriorated which limits the moisture protection from shingles to your roof deck then into your home. You would also not be able to add an ice and water shield if youre in an area that experiences winter storms.
- Bacteria growth on the first layer: Any existing algae or moss on your roof are trapped and can tarnish your second shingle layer. This could cause the lifespan of your new shingles to shorten.
- Added weight: One square weighs about 250-400 pounds. Double that weight and you have a great deal of added stress to your roof structure. This could cause any damaged sheathing to worsen and infiltrate your ventilation and insulation.
Do I Need Underlayment For A Metal Roof Over Shingles
All roofs need an underlayment. If youre installing a metal roof over asphalt shingles, the shingles may be able to act as an underlayment for the roof. However, the shingles expanding and contracting can cause damage underneath the metal roof over time. For this reason, its usually recommended that you remove the shingles on your home before installing a metal roof.
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Putting New Shingles Over Old Ones: Step
Does it make sense to install new shingles over old ones? Sometimes, absolutely! In the right situation, putting new shingles over old ones saves money and helps the environment.Although it is often necessary to remove old shingles, its great when you can avoid the added expense of a tear-off. Tear-offs increase labor costs and they generate waste that typically requires transportation to a landfill.
Can You Put A Metal Roof Over Three Layers Of Shingles
If you research how to install a metal roof over shingles, youll find that you cannot put a metal roof over three layers of shingles in most cases. A majority of local building departments will allow one or two layers over of shingles, but not three. Check with yours before you make any decisions or start your project.
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When Can You Install A Layover
Layovers as a repair technique are the equivalent of putting a bandaid on a bandaid. It doesnt look right and it just makes things worse. Even the ideal conditions for a layover arent ideal. Your roof would have to be lacking any of the signifies that repair is necessary, which would mean that youd basically have to have a new roof. But a layover is bad for your new roof!
A second layer of shingles will decrease the integrity of your new roof and lower its lifespan. Thats because shingles arent designed to have a second layer of shingles on top of them! Plus, all that extra moisture and heat being applied to the first layer of shingles will make that first layer age faster.
How Often Should You Replace Your Roof Shingles
Any damage or signs of wear call for immediate action to keep water from seeping under the shingles and rotting the wood sheathing beneath. Ignoring a problemeven what appears to be a small onewill accelerate the need to reroof and can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of a new roof.
Pro2Pro Tip: Always make roof repairs on a warm, dry afternoon the shingles will be more supple and less likely to crack. And never climb onto a roof thats wet, icy or covered with morning dew.
If your roof is more than 20 years old and most of the shingles are damaged or badly worn, its time to replace it. But if your roof is basically sound and is at a relatively shallow pitch that youre comfortable working on, you can probably handle most repairs yourself.
Here, well take you through the three most-common ones: replacing asphalt shingles gluing down a badly curled shingle and repairing shingles that have cracked.
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Cost Of Shingle Replacements
According to Roofing Calculator Inc., minor roof shingle repair can run from $150 to $400 for a small area of roof. Youll be looking at costs up to $1,200 for moderate repairs. If your roof needs extensive work, costs can run to $3,500 or more.
If the cost of repairing your roof goes over this amount, you should seriously consider replacing your roof rather than just repairing it. Since the average cost to install a new roof is about $7,500 to $9,500, you would have spent almost half that in repairs. A roof that needs that much repair work is probably not going to have years left.
Of course, you can save money by doing the repair work yourself. If your roof has loose or peeling shingles, or bald spots on the shingles, you can easily take care of these issues.
Beware, there may be other underlying issues, so it never hurts to have a roofing pro take a look before repairing your roof.
Advantages Of Metal Roofs Over Shingles
Theres already plenty of advantages by choosing a metal roof, and theres even more when you decide to put a metal roof over shingles. They include:
Advantages of metal roofs in general:
- Metal roofs have increasingly become a more popular option for homeowners due to their reputation for longevity and curb appeal.
- They can last much longer than shingles. In fact, they can last for about 40-70 years depending on the material.
- They can withstand almost any type of weather condition to keep your home safe, comfortable, and dry. Rain will quickly and easily drain, and snow will be able to melt slide off easily. They can also sustain wind gusts up to 140 mph.
- Many of them also come with the ability to resist fire and withstand a hail storm without taking damage.
- They can come in a wide variety of colors and finishes. These include the appearances of natural cedar shakes or stone.
- They can improve your homes energy efficiency by reflecting solar radiant heat, which may even reduce cooling costs by 10-25%.
Advantages of metal roofs over shingles:
- Metal roofs over shingles will also provide an extra layer covering your home, helping to further insulate it.
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Metal Roof Over Shingles Condensation
Metal roofs must be laid flat on a vapor barrier because steel will condensate if theres any air space underneath it. It doesnt matter if the air space is a half-inch or six inches because the condensation factor will remain the same. Put the steel down directly on a vapor barrier. You can either leave the shingles on or put down felt paper during new construction.
Helps Mold And Algae Grow
A layover will create an environment that improves conditions for algae and mold growth. Thats because the first layer of shingles, if it isnt already covered in algae and mold, will sponge up water, while the second layer of shingles will seal the water in and provide the darkness that algae and mold needs to grow. Dark streaks running down your roof are signs of algae and mold, but installing a layover will conceal that.
Its possible, though, that if you put in a second layer of shingles that the mold will get so bad that itll pop-through and be able to spot broccoli heads poking out from underneath. If your roof is already covered in mold and algae, however, and youre insisting on a layover, Proven Roofing will simply turn the job down. Its not worth it for you or us! The potential harm the layover may cause would reflect too poorly on Proven Roofing for us to accept the work.
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