If your decking’s solid, yeah, you *can* go over the old shingles. But if there’s even a hint of rot or soft spots, that second layer just hides problems till they’re way worse.
I get what you’re saying, but I’ve seen some roofs with a second layer last a good 15 years with zero issues. Maybe it depends on the installer or the shingle quality? Not everyone has the budget for a full tear-off, especially if the first layer isn’t curling or falling apart. I’d just say don’t rule out layering if the structure’s in good shape and you’re not planning on staying forever.
Not everyone has the budget for a full tear-off, especially if the first layer isn’t curling or falling apart.
Totally get that. I’ve helped out on a couple of “layover” jobs where the old shingles were still decent and the house was solid—worked out fine, at least for the short term. Just gotta watch for those hidden soft spots… they’re sneaky.
Just gotta watch for those hidden soft spots… they’re sneaky.
Yeah, those are the real troublemakers. I’ve seen more than one “good enough” roof turn into a mess after a big storm because nobody caught the rot under the first layer. Layovers can save cash up front, but if you’re in a spot that gets hammered by wind or hail, it’s a gamble. Sometimes ripping it all off is just less headache in the long run, even if your wallet hates you for it.
Had a customer a couple years back who thought he was saving a fortune by just slapping new shingles over the old ones. Looked fine until we got one of those classic spring hailstorms—next thing you know, water’s coming in through the kitchen light fixture. Turns out, the plywood underneath was soft as a wet sponge. Sometimes what you can’t see costs you the most. I get why people want to save money, but man, that second layer can hide a world of hurt.
That story hits close to home. We had a similar situation a few years back—decided to save a buck and went with a second layer. Looked fine for a while, but after one rough winter, we started seeing stains on the bedroom ceiling. Turns out, the old roof was hiding some seriously rotted wood too. It’s tempting to go the cheaper route, but sometimes it just sets you up for bigger headaches down the line. Totally get the confusion though... it always feels like a gamble either way.