Do I need to tear off old shingles?

In most cases, more than two layers of roofing shingles does require a tear-off. Laying new shingles over old shingles is easily prone to leaks and reduces the life of the new shingles. This alone ought to be reason enough to do a tear-off; it's just a bad value not to.

Do old shingles need to be removed?

While a repair job can often be more convenient and somewhat more cost-efficient, placing new shingles over old ones is never a good idea. Whether repairing one section of roof, or a replacing a whole one, it's always best to pull up the old shingles before putting down the new ones.

Is it OK to shingle over old shingles?

Installing a new roof over shingles takes less time than tearing off the old roof. Looks just as good and lasts as long. As long as it's done right and under the right conditions, installing new shingles over old ones can last as long and look just as good as a complete re-roof. Has the same manufacturer's warranty.

Do you have to replace all shingles?

If your roof is more than 20 years old and most of the shingles are damaged or badly worn, it's time to replace it. But if your roof is basically sound and is at a relatively shallow pitch that you're comfortable working on, you can probably handle most repairs yourself.

How do you remove old shingles?

Strip the Roof, Start at the Peak Using Roofing Tear Off Tools. Start the tear-off at the section farthest from the trash container. Standing at the peak, use a garden fork or a specially notched roofing tear off shovel to tear away the ridge caps and the top courses of shingles.

Laying a Second Layer over Existing Shingles-Close

Can you remove shingles and reuse them?

If the material is free of cracks and rust, you can reuse it with your new shingles. If any of the flashing shows signs of wear, remove and discard it. If you are keeping your flashing, remove the nails and bend it up and back with a pry bar to remove the shingles underneath.

What is the best tool to remove shingles?

What is the difference between re roof and new roof?

Roof Recover: The process of installing an additional roof covering over a prepared existing roof covering without removing the existing roof covering. Roof Replacement: The process of removing the existing roof covering, repairing any damaged substrate and installing a new roof covering.

How long does a reroof last?

The life of a roof is how many years you get out of it. For a standard 3-tab asphalt shingle roof, that's 25-years. As long as your roof has been properly ventilated and installed you should get pretty close to that 25 years of roof life.

Can you have just a few shingles?

Some rashes merge and produce an area that looks like a severe burn. Other patients may have just a few scattered lesions that don't cause severe symptoms. Mild cases of shingles with only a few lesions are common. For most healthy people, the blisters start to scab over after 3-5 days.

Is it OK to have two layers of shingles?

In most states, you're only allowed to have 2 layers of shingles on a roof for fire safety reasons. However, you'll still see roofs that have 3 or 4 layers today. If you already have 2 or more layers, a contractor will recommend a full replacement.

How do you blend old shingles on new roof?

The easiest way to tie in the new shingles with the old is with a cut valley (see Four Ways to Shingle a Valley). After the addition roof is framed and sheathed, snap a line on the existing roof shingles 2 in. up from the valley center, and cut through the shingles and underlayment.

Is it OK to put a second layer of shingles on a roof?

A second layer of shingles will decrease the integrity of your new roof and lower its lifespan. That's because shingles aren't designed to have a second layer of shingles on top of them! Plus, all that extra moisture and heat being applied to the first layer of shingles will make that first layer age faster.

Is 3 layers of shingles too much?

House roofs should never exceed three layers of shingles. Adding additional layers without excavation can save homeowners up to $1,000 in labor. Therefore, layering has advantages. Building and city codes require roofers to limit shingle layers to two.

Is re roofing a good idea?

If you are a homeowner with minor issues or leaks, which typically occur as the roof reaches the end of its lifespan, but the roof is in overall good shape, re-roofing may be for you. If you only have one layer of asphalt shingles on your roof, you may also be a good candidate for re-roofing.

How often should you reshingle your roof?

Under normal circumstances, 3-tab asphalt shingle roofs should last 15-20 years before needing replacement. However, architectural asphalt shingle roofs are a bit more resilient to the elements due to their design. These may last up to 10 years longer than 3-tab asphalt shingle roofs.

What color roof lasts the longest?

Both light-colored and dark-colored shingles can last longer if given the necessary maintenance. The only thing tested and proven about light-colored shingles is that they help us keep the indoor temperature cooler in the hot summer season.

How long do 30 year architectural shingles really last?

The truth is, a 30-year shingle will not really last 30 years. The expected service life of a 30-year product, if properly cared for, is approximately 25 years. If it's not cared for properly, that 30 year shingle will only last 12 to 15 years.

How many times can you reroof a roof?

As mentioned above, homeowners are legally limited to two layer of roof shingles. Therefore, if you already have two layers, you'll need a full tear-off. Additionally, if your roof is severely damaged, it likely won't be able to support the weight of a reroof and will need to be torn off.

How long does a shingle roof last?

Homeowners with wood shake roofs should expect them to last about 30 years, while fiber cement shingles last about 25 years and asphalt shingle/composition roofs last about 20 years, the NAHB found.

How much does it cost to roof a house?

The national average cost to replace a roof is around $8,000, with most people spending in the range of $5,500 to $11,000. The two largest variables you'll deal with on a job like this are the square footage of your home (and thus, your roof), and the type of roofing material you choose.

How do you replace a shingle patch?

How long will a 2nd layer of shingles last?

Shorter lifespan – As you might expect, new shingles laid over damaged shingles and rotting decking won't last as long as they could. To make matters worse, a roof with two layers of shingles holds in more heat, which speeds up deterioration. On average, an overlay lasts around 16 years.