I’ve patched over old shingles for folks who just needed a few more years before selling, and honestly, it held up better than I expected. Not perfect, but sometimes you gotta work with what you’ve got. Just keep an eye on the weight if you’re in a snowy spot.
Just keep an eye on the weight if you’re in a snowy spot.
That’s exactly my concern with layering—especially up north where snow loads are no joke. Sure, patching can buy time, but I always wonder about long-term impacts on ventilation and energy efficiency. Ever consider a green or reflective roof instead of piling on more asphalt? It’s not just about leaks; there’s the whole heat island thing too. Feels like we patch and patch, but maybe it’s time to rethink what we’re putting up there.
I hear you on the snow load—up here, it’s not just about leaks, it’s about whether your roof can handle another winter without caving in. I looked into reflective shingles last year, but the price tag made me wince. Green roofs sound cool, but I’m not sure I want to be gardening on my roof in January. Honestly, I keep patching because it’s cheaper short-term, but I do wonder if I’m just kicking the can down the road. Energy bills definitely creep up when ventilation gets blocked by all those layers...
I’m in the same boat with the patching—every time I fix a spot, I wonder if I’m just delaying the inevitable. My place is only about 15 years old, but the previous owners already did a second layer, so I’m not even sure if adding another is an option. Has anyone actually had their roof fully removed and redone? I keep hearing it’s better for ventilation and long-term costs, but the upfront price is kind of terrifying.
Also, does anyone know if insurance companies care whether you do a full tear-off versus just another layer? I’ve heard rumors that some won’t cover as much if you keep stacking shingles, but I can’t tell if that’s just contractor talk. And for those who went with a full removal, did you notice a difference in your heating bills or how the house “feels” in winter? I’m in upstate NY, so snow is a big deal here too... just trying to figure out if the investment is worth it or if I should keep patching until something forces my hand.
Has anyone actually had their roof fully removed and redone? I keep hearing it’s better for ventilation and long-term costs, but the upfront price is kind of terrifying.
I went through this exact dilemma a couple winters back—also upstate NY, so yeah, snow load is a big deal. My house had two layers already, and honestly, the second layer was starting to curl in spots. I bit the bullet and went for a full tear-off. Here’s what I noticed:
1. Ventilation: With the old shingles stripped, they were able to check the decking for rot and add proper ridge vents. Before, I’d get ice dams every year—since the new roof, that’s pretty much stopped.
2. Heating bills: Not a massive difference, but it did feel warmer upstairs. I think sealing up some old leaks and adding better underlayment helped more than anything.
3. Insurance: My adjuster said some companies do care—a third layer can be a red flag since it puts extra weight on the structure and makes future claims messier. They didn’t force me to tear off, but hinted coverage could get tricky if there was ever an issue.
It was expensive up front, but honestly, patching was just a Band-Aid at that point. If you’re planning to stay put a while, it might be worth it—especially with our winters.