Still, if there’s hidden rot, I’d rather know now than pay for repairs later.
That was my thinking too when we did ours last year. We bit the bullet and went for a full tear-off. Yeah, it cost more upfront, but we found a couple of soft spots in the decking that would’ve gotten worse. If you’re in a colder climate, that extra layer can definitely make ice dams worse—happened to us before. One thing I didn’t expect: the mess. Full removal is noisy and dusty, but at least you know what you’re working with underneath. If you plan to stay in the house long-term, I’d say it’s worth it.
Full tear-off here too, and honestly, I was glad we did it. Found some old water damage that would've just kept spreading. The noise was rough for a couple days but at least now I don't worry every time it rains. Adding a layer might be cheaper, but I just didn't want to risk trapping problems underneath.
I get where you’re coming from. Full tear-off can be a pain in the short term, but it’s the only way to really know what’s going on under there. I’ve seen too many jobs where a second layer just hid rot or mold, and then it cost way more down the line. Sure, adding a layer saves money up front, but if your decking’s got issues, you’re just covering them up. Plus, some warranties won’t even cover double-layer installs. I’d rather deal with a few days of noise than gamble with hidden damage.
I hear you about the hidden damage risk. Still, I’ve got to admit, the upfront cost of a full tear-off made me hesitate. I live in a 1960s ranch with a low slope, and my roofer said the decking looked solid from what he could see. Ended up going with an overlay to save some cash... but now I’m crossing my fingers every time it rains. If I had more wiggle room in the budget, I probably would’ve bitten the bullet for peace of mind. It’s a tough call when money’s tight.
Ended up going with an overlay to save some cash... but now I’m crossing my fingers every time it rains.
Yeah, I get that tension. Did your roofer mention how an extra layer might affect things like ventilation or potential warranty issues down the line? I keep hearing mixed stuff about overlays and attic moisture, especially on older homes.