Man, I hear you on the “false economy” thing. I manage a handful of rentals around Louisville, and every time a roof issue pops up, I get that same pitch—just slap another layer on, save some cash, move on. But last year, I actually tried it on one of my older duplexes (asphalt shingles, low slope), thinking I’d outsmart the budget gods. Fast forward six months: tenants call about a leak, turns out water was sneaking in through a spot where the decking was basically mush. Ended up paying for a full tear-off anyway... plus drywall repairs. Not my finest moment.
I totally get wanting to save money upfront—who doesn’t? But with our humidity and those Kentucky summer storms, it feels like rolling dice with your wallet. Have you noticed if your attic gets that musty smell after rain? That’s usually my red flag for hidden trouble.
Curious if anyone’s had luck with synthetic underlayment instead of felt? I’ve heard it holds up better with all the moisture we get, but haven’t tried it myself yet.
Man, I’ve seen more “just add a layer” disasters than I care to admit. Had a guy once who figured he’d save a few bucks—three months later, his living room looked like a kiddie pool after a thunderstorm. As for synthetic underlayment, I’m a convert. Stuff’s like raincoat material compared to the old felt. Doesn’t wrinkle up or turn to mush when it gets humid, which is basically every day here. Still gotta fix the decking if it’s bad, though... no magic bullet there.
- Totally agree on synthetic underlayment. I switched last year—huge difference in how it holds up to our muggy summers here.
- “Add a layer” sounds good on paper, but if you’ve got any rot or soft spots underneath, you’re just hiding the problem (and probably making it worse).
- Did the math and, yeah, full tear-off cost more up front, but I figure it’s cheaper than dealing with leaks or mold down the road.
- One thing: local codes here only allow two layers max anyway. Not sure if that’s everywhere, but worth checking before you stack 'em.
- Decking repair isn’t cheap, but at least you know what you’re working with when everything’s off. Peace of mind counts for something...
Adding layers is like sweeping dirt under the rug—sure, it looks fine for now, but you’re just setting yourself up for a mess later. I get the temptation though, especially when you see those upfront tear-off costs. Been there. But if you care about energy efficiency or ever think about solar panels or a green roof down the line (hey, plants on roofs are cooler than they sound), you really want to know what’s going on underneath. Plus, extra weight from multiple layers isn’t great for older houses.
I had a neighbor who tried to save cash by stacking shingles; two years later, he was dealing with leaks and a family of raccoons that moved in through a rotten patch. Not fun. Full tear-off stings at first, but at least you’re not playing “guess what’s growing under there.” And if you go with synthetic underlayment, your future self will thank you every time it pours.
Local codes are no joke either—ours are strict, and inspectors love finding “bonus” layers. Better to play it safe (and legal) than risk fines or insurance headaches.
- Did the “add a layer” thing once on my old shed. Looked fine until a windstorm peeled both layers off like a bad toupee.
- Tear-off’s a pain, but you actually see what’s rotting (or not).
- Weight is no joke—my 1950s house creaks enough already.
- Codes here are strict too. Inspector found my neighbor’s double-layer and made him redo it. Cost him more in the end.
- If you’re thinking solar later, just bite the bullet and do it right now. Trust me, future-you will be less grumpy.
