I’ve managed a few properties where folks tried to save by layering, and it always seemed like a short-term win but a long-term headache. One place in particular, the attic started smelling musty after a couple of wet seasons—turns out moisture was getting trapped between the layers. If you’re weighing the options, here’s what I usually look at: check your local code (some places don’t even allow more than one layer), think about the age of the decking underneath, and factor in future repairs. It’s messier and pricier up front to tear off, but honestly, it’s saved me from bigger issues down the road.
I’m with you—layering seems like a shortcut that bites you later. We had two layers on our old place, and when we finally tore it all off, the decking was a mess. Plus, insurance gave us grief about coverage because of the extra weight. Upfront cost stings, but I’d rather deal with it once than patch up problems every rainy season.
That’s pretty much what happened with us too—when we finally decided to tear off both layers, the plywood underneath was soft in spots and had some mold. I get why people want to save money up front, but it’s a gamble. Did you find it took longer than expected? Our contractor discovered a lot more rot than we thought, so the project dragged out. Curious if anyone’s actually had good luck with layering, or is it always trouble down the line?
Layering shingles can seem like a shortcut, but in my experience, it almost always leads to hidden issues—like you found with the soft plywood and mold. Once you start pulling things up, you never really know what you’ll find underneath. Projects do tend to run longer when there’s unexpected rot or water damage, especially if you’re dealing with older homes or poor ventilation. I’ve seen a few roofs where layering didn’t cause problems for a decade or so, but it’s rare. Most of the time, it just kicks the can down the road and ends up costing more in repairs later. It’s frustrating, but catching those issues now is better than dealing with a major leak in the middle of winter...
Peeling back old shingles always feels a bit like opening a mystery box—sometimes you get “just old wood,” but sometimes it’s a science experiment gone wrong under there. I’ve seen everything from petrified squirrels to plywood that crumbles like a cookie. Tearing off the old stuff is messier and takes longer, but it’s usually worth it if you want to avoid playing “guess that leak” every rainy season.
I get why folks layer though, especially when budgets or time are tight. That said, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve tapped on a roof and my foot nearly went through because rot was hiding under double layers. Fixing that after the fact gets real expensive, real fast. And let’s not even start on what happens if your local code says “one layer only” and you try to sell later...
On the bright side, when you do rip it all off, you get a good look at the decking—and, if you’re lucky, you can knock out any ventilation issues or insulation upgrades while you’re up there. Around here (Midwest), that’s huge with ice dams every winter.
Curious if anyone’s tried one of those synthetic underlayments instead of felt when re-doing the whole thing? I’ve heard mixed reviews—some say it’s a game changer for moisture, others say it’s overkill unless you live in hurricane alley. Always wondered how much difference it actually makes in practice.
Anyway, I’m team tear-off all the way... unless someone invents x-ray vision for roofs. Has anyone ever regretted doing the full tear-off? Or found something truly wild under there?
