That’s interesting about the ice dam issues—I’m in a similar climate (upper Midwest) and that’s honestly one of my biggest worries with just adding another layer. I’ve read that extra layers can make it harder to spot leaks or soft spots down the road, but the upfront savings are tempting. I’m still on my first roof (asphalt shingles, about 18 years old), and no leaks yet, but I’ve noticed some curling and a couple of spots where granules are almost gone.
Did you end up adding any extra ice and water shield when you did the tear-off? I keep hearing mixed things about whether it actually helps with ice dams or if it’s more about ventilation and insulation in the attic. I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth the extra cost or if I should focus on improving airflow up there instead. The mess from a full tear-off is definitely something I hadn’t considered much—guess there’s always a trade-off somewhere.
I wrestled with the same questions when we redid our roof last year (also upper Midwest, brutal winters). We did a full tear-off and added ice and water shield along the eaves and valleys, but honestly, I’m not convinced it’s a magic bullet for ice dams. From what I’ve read and what our roofer said, the shield mostly buys you time if water gets under the shingles—it doesn’t stop the dam from forming in the first place. The real culprit is usually heat escaping into the attic, melting snow unevenly.
We ended up spending more time and money on sealing attic bypasses and adding insulation than on extra underlayment. Ventilation was a big deal too—ridge vent plus more soffit vents. The mess from the tear-off was annoying, but seeing the decking was worth it. Found a couple of soft spots we’d have missed otherwise.
If your shingles are curling and losing granules, you’re probably close to needing a new roof anyway. I’d lean toward fixing airflow/insulation first, then do a full tear-off when it’s time. Layering shingles just seems like kicking the can down the road, especially with Midwest winters.
We did the full tear-off a couple years back (also Midwest, where winter seems to last half the year). I’ll admit, the mess was a pain, but being able to see the decking was a game changer—found a spot where a squirrel had been trying to move in. I agree, ice and water shield is more of a safety net than a fix. For us, adding insulation and sealing up weird attic gaps made a bigger difference than anything else. Layering shingles just felt like putting a band-aid on a broken leg.
Layering shingles just felt like putting a band-aid on a broken leg.
That’s exactly how I describe it to folks—except sometimes I say it’s like duct-taping your car’s bumper back on and hoping for the best. Midwest winters are brutal, and I’ve seen way too many “double-layer” roofs where the bottom layer is basically mulch by the time we get to it. The mess from a tear-off is no joke though... I still have nightmares about hauling old shingles out of tight side yards.
Funny you mention critters—last spring, we pulled up decking and found what looked like a raccoon bachelor pad in one corner. Never a dull moment. Did you notice any difference in your heating bills after adding insulation? I always tell people attic work pays off more than most realize, but curious if your experience matched up.
I’ve always wondered if the insulation actually makes a big dent in the bills or if it’s just one of those “feels warmer” things. I added some blown-in last year, but honestly, my gas bill didn’t drop as much as I hoped. Maybe my old windows are to blame? Also, tearing off two layers was a nightmare for my wallet and my back… but at least I know what’s under there now. Anyone else feel like you’re just plugging leaks all over the house?