I get why folks go for the full tear-off, but I’ve had decent luck with a second layer—at least when the decking’s still solid. My last house, I saved a chunk by just adding a layer and it held up fine for nearly 15 years. Not saying it’s always the right move, but sometimes the extra expense isn’t necessary if you check everything carefully. Just depends on what you find once you start poking around...
- I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen a lot of hidden issues pop up under that first layer—rot, old leaks, even mold sometimes.
- Tear-off’s more work and cost, yeah, but you get a clean slate and can spot problems before they get worse.
- Double layers can also void some warranties or make future repairs trickier. Just something to keep in mind if you’re planning to stay put for a while.
- Not saying it never works—just seen too many surprises once those old shingles come off...
- Totally get the worry about hidden stuff under old shingles. We had a patch of soft wood near the gutter that we’d never have seen if we hadn’t gone with a full tear-off.
- The extra cost stung, but I feel better knowing it’s fixed now instead of turning into a bigger mess later.
- Does anyone know if insurance ever helps with hidden damage like that, or is it usually out-of-pocket? I’m still figuring out what’s normal with all this...
Insurance and hidden roof damage is a bit of a gray area, honestly. Here’s how it played out for us: when we did our tear-off, we found some rotten decking around a vent pipe—classic spot for water to sneak in. Our insurance adjuster basically said unless the damage was from a “covered peril” (like a specific storm event), it was considered wear and tear, so we were on the hook for it. If you can tie the damage to a recent hailstorm or wind event, sometimes you get lucky, but just old wood or leaks from years of slow drips? Usually out-of-pocket.
One thing I wish I’d done: take lots of photos before and during the tear-off. If you ever do need to file a claim, having that documentation helps. And yeah, the extra cost stings, but like you said, better to fix it now than have your ceiling cave in during the next rainstorm. Roofing surprises are the worst kind of surprise party...
Roofing surprises are the worst kind of surprise party...
That’s for sure. I’ve always found that tear-offs give you a much better look at what’s actually happening underneath, but it’s tough to justify the extra cost if the decking “seems” fine. Has anyone here had luck getting insurance to cover hidden damage after a second layer was installed? Or does layering just make it harder to spot issues before they get worse?
