The Benefits of a Complete Roof Tear-Off

When it comes to excellent roofing replacement and stucco remediation, you can be sure that Precision #1 Contractors Inc. gets the job done always. We fully understand that you want your roofing system to be sturdy and well-built to keep your home protected from the weather elements, but if you’re planning a roof replacement and you’re thinking that a roof overlay will be cheaper to do, it isn’t really recommended. 

You have to understand that overlaying your roof will not guarantee its effectiveness because you won’t be able to determine whether the underlying layers of your roof have been damaged or deteriorated over the years. You’d much rather invest in full tear-off and have a complete replacement instead.

As roofing and stucco specialists, let Precision #1 Contractors Inc. explain the benefits of having a complete roof tear-off. But first, let’s understand how a roof overlay can affect your home:

Why a Simple Roof Overlay Isn’t Worth It

You’re probably thinking that the overall costs will be less since you’re simply adding another layer of shingles on top of the old roof. It isn’t uncommon that some homeowners opt for the overlay method if possible since it’s much cheaper. And since there’s less labor involved, the overall construction time is shortened. While this may be great if you need a new roof immediately, the reason why this isn’t recommended is because of its several drawbacks, which far outweigh the benefits:

• It Adds Weight – Basically, you’re adding another roof to the top of your home. Professional roofing contractors don’t recommend this since it can be dangerous especially if your home is older or isn’t structurally sound. Having another roofing layer adds weight to the top of your home, which can compromise its overall structural integrity.

• Your Roof Won’t Really Look Good – This is due to your old roof’s wear and tear over the years, with your shingles already curling or lifting due to exposure and deterioration from the natural elements. It’s being put on top of another roof, which is why it doesn’t look as good as a brand new roof would.

• The Leaks Won’t Be Addressed – A roof overlay won’t get rid of the leaks. In fact, you won’t be able to figure out where it’s coming from because of the multiple roofing layers. Water can also travel between the layers and then poke through somewhere else, which makes patching really difficult to do.

• You Won’t Know Your Deck’s Condition – With a roofing overlay, you’ll have no idea what condition the decking of your roof is in unless the hired roofing and stucco repair contractor notices something when they do an initial inspection or when they’re walking on the roof. When something is rotted or leaking, you won’t know about it until later on, which can become costly to repair.

• No More Ice and Water-Leak Barrier – A roof overlay also prevents you from installing an ice and water-leak barrier since it has to adhere directly to the wood decking. So, if you have an ice dam during winter, it could easily travel under the overlay and leak under the old roof.

• Lower Resale Value – A roofing overlay might not be the best decision for your resale value. If you plan on selling your home anytime soon, an overlaid roof will likely decrease the overall value of your home.

• You’ll Replace It Again Sooner than Anticipated – This means you’ll eventually have to think about replacing your roof again soon because an overlaid roof isn’t meant to last as long as a typical roof replacement. It will also be more expensive; you’ll not only have one layer of the roof to replace, but you’ll also have two, which means double the labor and debris just when you’re taking the roof off!

Why It’s Better to Invest in a Complete Tear Off

While it may be more expensive upfront and disrupt your daily routine at home, a full tear-off and roof replacement job will be more beneficial in the long run. In fact, when you opt for a full tear-off, you’ll have a completely new roof. Each material installed will be brand-new, which has a lot of benefits.

If you had any rotted decking or leaks in your roof, they’ll be gone with a full tear-off. Since the roofing contractors will take off all of the shingles, they get a clear look into what’s going on with your roof and ensure that the finished product will be perfect.

Since the entire roof is being replaced, even the high-risk areas will be repaired and new flashings can be installed, which ensures the water-tightness of your home for years to come. A brand new tear-off roof can add to your home’s resale value, which makes it a major selling point. Choose a full tear-off if you’re thinking of selling your home a few years down the road.

You’ll also have the option to change or upgrade to a better roofing material with a full tear-off. Before work starts, your roofer can even help you choose the best materials for your project. For instance, you might want to switch from OSB (oriented strand board) to CDX plywood decking or use a synthetic roof underlayment instead of felt, but this all depends on which is most ideal for your roof’s structure as well as climate conditions.

A full tear-off roofing job will last you much longer than an overlay will, and this is mostly because a brand-new roof traps much less heat than a roof with multiple layers. Extra heat causes shingles to curl and break down faster.

Having a professional repair your roof is much more cost-effective in the long run than a DIY re-roof since you’ll be able to spot the issues while they’re still minor and save more money. And as the best roofing repair and stucco remediation experts in the area, you can be confident with what we offer at Precision #1 Contractors Inc. Reach us by calling (215) 364-5115 or through our convenient contact form online.