I get the frustration, but I actually found a silver lining to tearing off the old shingles. When I stripped mine, we found a bunch of hidden rot around the chimney that would’ve just gotten worse if I’d gone over the top. Like you said,
—but in my case, skipping the second layer probably saved me from a much bigger repair bill down the road. It’s a pain upfront, but sometimes the hassle pays off.“it’s better than getting burned later”
I get where you’re coming from—uncovering rot is definitely a win in the long run, even if it’s a headache at the time. But I’ve seen plenty of cases where folks went through the hassle and expense of a full tear-off, only to find the decking was still solid everywhere. In those situations, layering new shingles over the old ones actually made sense, especially for properties where budgets are tight or you’re not planning to hold onto the place for decades.
“it’s better than getting burned later”
That’s true, but sometimes I wonder if we overestimate how often hidden damage is really there. On some of my older rentals, we’ve done overlays with no issues for years—no leaks, no sagging, nothing. Of course, local codes and roof pitch matter too. Curious if anyone else has had good luck with layering? Or maybe it just depends on how much risk you’re willing to take versus upfront cost...
I hear you on the overlays—I've seen plenty of roofs with two layers holding up just fine, especially on lower-end rentals where the math just doesn't work for a full tear-off. But after that big hailstorm a couple years back, I started to get more cautious. Had one place where the top layer looked okay, but water was sneaking in under both sets of shingles and rotting the edges of the decking. No real signs from inside until it was too late. Sometimes it's a gamble, honestly... I've done overlays since, but only after really poking around for soft spots and checking the attic for staining. Cost versus risk—always a balancing act.
That’s exactly why I always insist on a thorough inspection before even considering an overlay. I’ll walk the roof, check for any spongy spots, and then spend time in the attic with a flashlight looking for staining or daylight peeking through. Even then, it’s tough to catch everything—especially after hail. Have you ever tried using a moisture meter on the decking before making the call? Sometimes that’s helped me spot hidden trouble before committing to just another layer.
I’ve actually used a moisture meter a couple times, but honestly, I’m still not sure how reliable it is for decking. Maybe I’m just not using it right, but sometimes I get weird readings, especially if the attic’s humid. I usually end up poking around with a screwdriver just to double-check. I do like the idea of layering to reduce landfill waste, but only if the decking’s truly solid—otherwise it’s just asking for trouble down the line.