Not sure I’d always go for a full tear-off right away, honestly. Sometimes what looks like rot is just old felt or debris trapped between layers—especially on older homes where folks kept adding shingles over the years. I’ve seen cases where a targeted repair and some ventilation fixes did the trick for a while. Of course, if you’re seeing soft spots or mold, that’s a different story... but sometimes it’s not as dire as it looks under there. Just depends how deep the “lasagna” goes.
Just depends how deep the “lasagna” goes.
That “roof lasagna” line cracked me up—been there, peeled back the layers, and found everything from 1970s newspapers to a squirrel’s winter stash. You’re spot on about not always needing a full tear-off. I’ve lost count of how many times a homeowner called me out, convinced their roof was about to cave in, only for me to poke around and realize it was just a soggy patch of old felt or some ancient shingle crumbs. Sometimes you just need to scrape off the top layer, patch a spot, and let it ride for a few more years.
But man, I’ve also seen some wild stuff hiding under those “fish scales.” One time, I started pulling up shingles on a bungalow and it was like opening a time capsule—three layers deep, each one a different color. The bottom layer was so brittle it basically turned to dust when I touched it. That’s when you know it’s time to start fresh.
Ventilation’s a biggie too. Folks forget that if your attic can’t breathe, all that moisture just hangs out and makes things worse. I’ve seen perfectly good shingles get trashed because the air couldn’t move and everything underneath started sweating. Sometimes just popping in a couple ridge vents or fixing up the soffits makes a world of difference.
I will say, if you’re stepping on the roof and it feels like a trampoline, or you spot black mold creeping up the rafters, that’s when you gotta bite the bullet and do the full tear-off. No sense patching over rot—you’re just kicking the can down the road.
But yeah, not every ugly spot means disaster. Sometimes it’s just old gunk or a lazy install from back in the day. Gotta get your hands dirty to know for sure.
That’s a great point about ventilation—people really underestimate how much it matters. I’ve seen attic insulation packed right up to the soffits, totally blocking airflow. Ever run into those old homes where someone just kept adding layers instead of fixing leaks? Makes you wonder how much weight those rafters can actually handle before something gives.
That’s exactly what I ran into when we bought our place last year. The inspector pointed out the attic insulation was jammed right up against the soffits—no airflow at all. Previous owners just kept piling on more insulation, thinking it’d help with heating bills, but all it did was trap moisture and make the attic feel like a sauna in summer. I had to pull a bunch of it back and install baffles just to get some air moving again.
And yeah, those old houses with layer after layer of shingles... I get wanting to save money, but at some point you’re just asking for trouble. Ours had two layers when we moved in, and the roofer said any more would’ve been pushing it. Not only does it add a ton of weight (which can’t be good for 60-year-old rafters), but you’re also hiding problems underneath—rot, leaks, who knows what else. It’s like putting a band-aid over a broken bone.
I know some folks say “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but with roofs and attics, ignoring ventilation or piling on shingles is just setting yourself up for bigger headaches down the road. We bit the bullet and did a full tear-off—cost more upfront, but at least now I know what’s up there and don’t have to worry about sagging or mold creeping in.
Honestly, I wish more people realized how much that airflow matters. It’s not just about keeping things cool; it keeps your roof from rotting out from the inside. And if you’re already spending money on new shingles, might as well do it right instead of stacking problems for the next person.
Anyway, totally agree—ventilation gets overlooked way too often. Sometimes doing less (like not cramming every inch with insulation) is actually better in the long run.
When we moved into our place, the home inspector flagged almost the exact same thing—insulation packed tight against the soffits, zero airflow. I figured more insulation meant better efficiency, but it turns out there’s a point where you’re just making things worse. Here’s what I did, step by step, in case it helps anyone else:
1. **Checked the soffit vents** – I got up in the attic and found most of them were totally blocked by insulation. Couldn’t believe it.
2. **Pulled back the insulation** – I used a rake and gloves to carefully pull the insulation away from the edges, making sure not to tear it up too much.
3. **Installed baffles** – Picked up some foam baffles from the hardware store and slid them between the rafters, right above the soffits. That way, air can flow up from outside without the insulation getting in the way.
4. **Replaced insulation** – Put the insulation back, but only after making sure it wasn’t blocking any vents.
It’s made a big difference—attic doesn’t feel like a steam room anymore, and I haven’t noticed any new moisture issues.
On the shingle layers, I totally get what you mean about “band-aid over a broken bone.” My house had three layers when we bought it (asphalt over old cedar shakes and another asphalt layer). The roofer basically laughed and said, “You’re lucky your roof hasn’t caved in.” We went for a full tear-off too. It was expensive, but at least now I know what’s up there and don’t have to worry about hidden rot.
“Sometimes doing less (like not cramming every inch with insulation) is actually better in the long run.”
That really hits home. I used to think more was always better, but with attics and roofs, it’s all about balance—enough insulation for warmth, but not so much you choke off airflow. And with shingles, yeah, layering just hides problems. If you’re already spending on a new roof, might as well do it right instead of stacking headaches for later.
One thing I’ll add: if you’re in a colder climate like me (upper Midwest), watch out for ice dams too. Poor ventilation and too much insulation right at the eaves can make those way worse. Learned that one the hard way last winter...
