Re-roofing is when an additional layer of roofing material is layered over the one that already exists, rather than completely replacing it. There are several reasons you might want to do this, from convenience to a lower cost in the short term. It has its risks, but with proper preparation, you can ensure a quality job and be that much more secure in your investment.
Replace Missing or Worn Roofing First
Because you're getting a second layer of shingles placed on top of the first, this makes it much harder to make any repairs to the first layer once the installation is complete. This essentially means that once the first layer of shingles is covered up, you lose any chance at repairing them without incurring significant extra costs. The second layer of shingles should prevent any damage to the second, but just in case, you want to make sure you have a solid layer of shingles underneath as well.
The good news is that the flexibility of shingles means that you can make repairs or replacements to single shingles without having to replace a whole line of shingles or the entire roof. Shingles can be replaced one at a time by having them sliced apart and the replacements sealed in. Now isn't a time to be picky, so don't just replace ones that are missing completely; if you see a chance to improve damaged or worn areas, take it. Minor to moderate repairs of your entire roof should run less than a thousand dollars, so this is definitely worth undertaking to ensure the prevention of more serious problems later on.
Have Your Roof Inspected
Beyond your shingles themselves, there are sections of your roof that are just as important to have inspected and repaired if necessary. This includes the flashing around your chimney and vents, the underlay membrane under the shingles, the decking, and the ridge. All of these contribute to a watertight seal and ensure water doesn't come in through crevices and weak points that have cracked and worn over the years. These, like shingles, are often inexpensive repairs in the long run.
Apart from that, you should also have your roof's structure inspected to make sure that there's no damage or any risk of collapse from the added weight of a second layer of shingles. If necessary, additional braces can be added for more support, and you can catch any problems like wood damage or even termite infestations before you begin.
Install During the Off-Season
Your installation experience may be different depending on what time of year you start the process, and planning ahead can both save you some money and ensure a more careful installation. If you install during periods of low demand, your cost will be lower as a result, and your contractors will also have more time to complete the job, which means no rushed work and more time for you to communicate with the people doing the installation.
The best time to install a roof in terms of cost is in winter and into spring, generally before April. Weather permitting, if you can hold off until this general time frame for an installation, you'll get multiple benefits and savings that might help make up for any repairs you made to your first layer of roofing. For more information, contact a company like Lacey Roofing Company today.
Share7 August 2019
When it came time to install a new roof on my home, I had no idea where to start. In fact, I was exploring roofing options that were a really poor fit in my climate. It wasn't until I reached out to a local roofer that I got some lessons on how to choose the right roofing material for my home and the weather exposure it is subjected to. I built this site to share my journey, including the mistakes I made and the things that I learned along the way. If you are considering replacing your home's roof, I hope that the information here can help to guide you through the process.
