That’s exactly where I landed last fall—my ranch is about the same age, and when I started poking around, I found a couple of mushy spots near a vent. Ended up doing a full tear-off. It was a noisy few days, but honestly, seeing what was under those old shingles made me glad I went that route. There was some rot I wouldn’t have caught otherwise. More money, but peace of mind, especially with our winters. And yeah, insurance asked for a ton of photos after... guess they’re getting pickier everywhere.
seeing what was under those old shingles made me glad I went that route. There was some rot I wouldn’t have caught otherwise.
That’s the big one for me—if you just add a new layer, you’re covering up potential problems. I’ve seen plenty of jobs where folks thought they’d save money, but missed hidden leaks or soft decking. Full tear-off’s more expensive upfront, but it’s the only way to really know what you’re dealing with. Especially in places with rough winters, like you said... water gets in anywhere it can. Insurance companies are definitely tightening up too—photos, documentation, the whole nine yards.
if you just add a new layer, you’re covering up potential problems
Yeah, I learned that the hard way on my old place. Thought I was being clever by slapping a second layer on, but when I finally did a full tear-off five years later, it was like opening a can of “what the heck is that?” Moldy insulation, rotten decking… the works. Plus, if you’re thinking about solar down the line or any kind of green upgrade, you really want to know what’s under there. No sense putting panels on top of a mystery sandwich.
- Not gonna lie, I did the double-layer thing on my garage roof a while back. Wasn’t pretty, but it got me through a tight spot when money was tight.
- Didn’t see any major issues underneath when I finally replaced it (guess I got lucky?), but yeah, it was heavier and a pain to tear off later.
- If you’re in a spot with mild weather and your decking’s solid, sometimes that second layer can buy you a few years—especially if you’re not planning to stay long or go solar.
- That said, if you’ve got leaks or any hint of rot, covering it up is just asking for trouble. Like putting a band-aid on a leaky pipe...
- Full tear-off is definitely cleaner and gives peace of mind, but man, the dumpster fees and labor add up fast.
- For me, it came down to budget and how long I planned to stick around. If you’re flipping or just need a stopgap, layering isn’t always the villain folks make it out to be. Just gotta know what you’re risking.
Full tear-off is definitely cleaner and gives peace of mind, but man, the dumpster fees and labor add up fast.
Honestly, that’s what tripped me up too—costs just balloon with a full tear-off. But if you’re thinking about green roofing or better insulation down the line, skipping the tear-off can box you in. I tried to just add a layer once and later regretted it when I wanted to put in a living roof… extra weight was a dealbreaker. If you’re even halfway tempted by solar or eco-options, might be worth biting the bullet now rather than paying double later.
