Do you have 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.

Can you go over old shingles?

Roofing over an existing roof is also called reroofing or an overlay. It is the process where roofers install a new roof over your existing one, i.e. add a new layer of shingles, which means that the old roof will not be removed/teared off.

Are old shingles toxic?

Are Roof Shingles Toxic? Modern shingles can be toxic during installation, but they will usually not be harmful unless you're trying to collect potable rainwater from the roof; chemical constituents in the shingles can find their way into the run-off water.

How much does it cost to tear off old shingles?

On average, it costs from $1.20-$4 per square foot to tear off and replace a roof with asphalt shingles. For a 1,700-2,100 square foot ranch-style property, that costs about $1,700-$8,400. However, roof replacement costs increase when you use higher-end roofing materials.

Can you replace shingles without replacing the whole roof?

The Pros of Re-Roofing

Since re-roofing does not require extensive time, labor, or materials, it is a cheaper option to repair your roof. Re-roofing does not require replacing the entire roof; therefore, it is also the fastest way to restore your roof.

How To Remove Shingles

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.

How much does it cost to replace a roof on a 3000 square foot house?

The average cost to replace a 3000 square foot roof is around $6,000- $18,000. This price includes materials and labor. If you have to hire contractors to remove the old roof, then this will add another cost of about $4200 on top of the total.

Is it better to remove old roof?

The main advantage of leaving the old roof on is obvious—you can minimize the mess, removal costs, and disposal expense if you can leave the old shingles in place. Other advantages are that you end up with an extra barrier against leakage and a little extra insulation.

How often should you replace roof shingles?

In general, this is the recommended replacement schedule based on the material used: Composition Shingles: 12-20 years. Asphalt Shingles: 15-30 years. Wood Shingles: 20-25 years.

How much does it cost to remove 2 layers of shingles?

A single-story home that has a single layer of roofing can end up paying anywhere from $100 to $150 for every square of the roof removed. A double layer roof costs an average of $150, with triple-layer costing an average $170.

Are asbestos shingles still used?

Sturdy and fireproof, asbestos shingles soared in popularity beginning in the early 1900s until health risks associated with material became widely publicized, resulting in a nationwide ban of the product in 1989.

Are roof shingles cancerous?

No, modern day shingles are not toxic. However, if you roof was installed with shingles made before 1989 then it may contain asbestos which is classified as a carcinogen that must be handled as a hazardous material.

Do shingles have lead in them?

Using an X-ray Fluorescence machine (XRF) they found that the roofing material contained a significant amount of lead and other toxic heavy metals. Considering most homes use asphalt shingles, this is very concerning.

Is it OK to put two layers of shingles on a roof?

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 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 put a new roof on top of an old roof?

Roofing over an existing roof is also called reroofing or an overlay. It is the process where roofers install a new roof over your existing one, i.e. add a new layer of shingles, which means that there is no tearing off of the old roof.

How do you know when it's time to replace your roof?

Should I preemptively replace roof?

Preemptive repairs and awareness of the condition of your roof can save you time and money in the long run and protect you from further damage. Forward planning can keep you from needing to rush a repair when it's too hot, too cold, or too busy.

Does my roof need replacing?

Exterior warning signs include: Damaged tiles – if roof tiles are cracked, rotting, buckling, torn, missing, worn, curled, or loose, they will need replacing. Age – over time, weathering and the elements take their toll on your roof. If your roof is over 20 years old it will most likely need replacing.

Is it better to remove old shingles before installing metal?

Metal roofs can be installed over your existing roof without tearing off shingles, provided local building codes allow it. While shingle removal is the preferred route, tear-off is messy and raises the cost of the job.

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.

What time of year is best to replace a roof?

Fall is considered the best season to replace your roof!

Changing seasons can largely impact many factors of your roof replacement – rain, snow, heat, humidity. These weather conditions could also affect how quickly your job can be completed.

What is the most energy efficient roof color?

A roof that absorbs heat is typically black or falls along the darker side of the color spectrum. For a cool roof, one that deflects UV radiation and discourages heat retention, go in the opposite direction the spectrum—white. White is the best color for energy efficiency because of the albedo effect.

Why is roofing so expensive?

Tile and Asphalt are the most used materials for roofing, and they're manufactured with the usage of concrete, clay or oil. The rise of oil prices can directly impacted asphalt shingles to become more costly. Furthermore, the cost of disposing old and damaged materials has also increased in the recent years.

How hard is it to match shingles?

In some cases, especially with an older roof, matching shingles can be close to impossible. An uneven patch job can decrease resale value and start a negative cycle of repair and replacement with a hodgepodge of shingles of different ages.