Hidden rot is the worst—nothing like thinking you’re just swapping out shingles, then realizing your roof’s been composting itself for years. I’ve run into that a few times after storms, especially where folks had doubled up on shingles to save cash. It’s wild how much damage can hide under there. One place I saw, you could poke a screwdriver right through the decking. Not exactly what you want holding up a couple thousand pounds of snow.
You’re spot on about the heat, too. Two layers basically turn your attic into a slow cooker. I’ve had people complain their AC bills shot up after a second layer went on, and shingle warranties can get dicey if you don’t follow the manufacturer’s rules about layering.
Insurance adjusters... that’s a whole saga. Some will cover a full tear-off if you can show the rot was caused by a covered peril (like wind-driven rain or hail), but if it’s “wear and tear” or long-term neglect, they usually push back. I’ve had luck when there’s clear storm damage and you can document it with photos—sometimes even pulling up a few shingles while they’re there to show the mushy wood underneath. But yeah, it’s a battle. A lot of adjusters just want to pay for the cheapest fix unless you really press the issue.
I get why people want to avoid the cost of a full tear-off, but in places with heavy snow or big storms, it’s just not worth the risk. Decking repairs are way cheaper than dealing with a collapsed roof or mold down the line. Codes could be stricter, but even where they aren’t, I’d rather rip it all off and sleep better at night.
Funny thing is, every time I see a house with three layers of shingles (yeah, it happens), I just picture the roof groaning every time it rains.
Man, you nailed it with the “composting roof” thing. I thought I was being smart years ago by just slapping a second layer over some old shingles to save money, but when we finally did a full tear-off last summer... yikes. The decking looked like wet cardboard in spots. It’s wild how everything can look fine from the outside, but underneath it’s a mess.
I hear you on the insurance headaches too. We had to basically become amateur detectives—photos, weather reports, all that—just to get them to cover more than a patch job. Definitely agree it’s tempting to go cheap and skip the tear-off, but after seeing what can hide under there, I’d rather bite the bullet upfront.
Funny part is, my neighbor still has three layers up there and swears by it. Says “it’s extra insulation.” I dunno... maybe for now, but I’d rather not take my chances with soggy plywood and sagging rafters down the line.
Three layers? That’s a bold move, honestly. I get the “extra insulation” argument, but at some point, it’s just more weight and more places for water to sneak in. I’ve seen roofs like that around here (Midwest, lots of freeze-thaw), and the decking underneath is usually a disaster when someone finally pulls everything off. It’s wild how much damage can go unnoticed until you’re literally peeling back the layers.
I’m with you—after seeing what moisture can do under old shingles, I’d rather pay upfront for a full tear-off than risk structural headaches later. The cost difference seems big at first, but when you factor in potential rot, mold, or even having to replace rafters... it adds up fast. Plus, most manufacturers won’t honor warranties if you’ve got multiple layers, which is something people tend to overlook.
Insurance is its own beast. We had hail last year and getting them to cover more than a patch job was like pulling teeth. They wanted every photo, every weather alert—felt like I was prepping for a court case instead of fixing my house. But yeah, documenting everything made a difference in the end.
One thing folks don’t always talk about: ventilation. More layers can trap heat and moisture, especially if your attic isn’t vented well. That just speeds up shingle failure and deck rot. If anyone’s thinking about layering again, might be worth checking local codes too—some places only allow two layers max.
At this point, I’d rather invest in better underlayment or even look into cool roof options than stack on more shingles. It’s not just about what you see from the street; it’s what’s happening underneath that’ll get you in trouble down the line.
Yeah, I’m with you on the tear-off. I get why people want to avoid the mess and cost, but every time I’ve helped a neighbor with a re-roof where they just kept stacking layers, it was a can of worms underneath. One house had three layers—looked fine from the street, but once we pulled it all up, half the decking was black and crumbling. Ended up costing way more than if they’d just done it right the first time.
The insulation argument is interesting, but honestly, I think it’s overrated. If you want better insulation, attic work is way more effective than piling on shingles. Plus, like you said, ventilation gets worse with more layers. I learned that the hard way—my old place had poor attic airflow and two layers of shingles, and the upstairs felt like a sauna in summer.
I do wish insurance was less of a headache. After a windstorm last spring, it took weeks to get them to approve anything beyond a patch. The documentation thing is spot on—photos before and after saved me.
If I ever re-roof again, I’m definitely looking at synthetic underlayment and maybe even lighter colored shingles for heat reflection. The upfront cost stings but not as much as moldy rafters down the road...
Man, that attic sauna feeling is all too familiar. Did you notice any difference after switching to lighter shingles or synthetic underlayment? I keep hearing mixed things about how much those actually help with heat. And yeah, insurance... feels like they want a photo of you holding today’s newspaper just to approve anything.
