Re roofing is the process of adding another layer of roof shingles over the existing roof. This is very different from going back to square one and overhauling the roof that is already in place. Since it is the roof that protects the house from getting damaged due to storms and other conditions, the importance of this process cannot be emphasized enough. Another very good reason to get a re roofing done is to improve the look of the house by hiding the damage on your old roof.
There are number of ways to determine if your roof needs re roofing. While the right way would be to let a professional inspect your roof, there are some cues which tell you the condition of it. The most common cues are sagging roof decks and discoloration, since they are clear indicators of leakage. Another common indication is the presence of mold and moisture. Identifying the problem early can make a huge difference in the long run, since it leads to significant cost savings later. However, if the damage is too severe, getting a new roof installed would be the more pragmatic course.
The most common reason why roofs get damaged is due to bad design and below-par workmanship. This reason accounts for more than 90 percent of roof damage. Usual errors which contractors make are laying over wet roofs, non-replacement of perimeter sheet metal and not ensuring proper drainage.
Here Are Some Benefits of Re Roofing:
- Faster Process: Conventionally, the process of lifting the old shingles from the roof requires an entire day. Re roofing by layering shingles is the fastest way to protect a roof from further damage. This becomes even more significant when the roof needs to repair and restored on an urgent basis. This also translates to lower costs of restoration.
- Lower Costs: The most commonly used roofing materials are asphalt shingles. They make for a good roofing material due to their durability and affordability. However, a lot of effort (and money) goes into pulling the old shingles off. The most obvious benefit of re roofing here is that the process only involves layering the new shingles over the older ones. This leads to significant cost savings in addition to saving time and effort. Re roofing also reduces costs by eliminating the disposal charges required for dumping the used materials.
- Avoiding Moisture: Moisture is one of the biggest enemies of any building structure. Roof shingles and underlayment materials are the biggest defenses against it. The addition of another layer of shingles only ensures greater protection from moisture.
- Cosmetic Improvement: Most shingle-based roofs get dirty or get discolored over the years due to moisture and leakages. Since re roofing is essentially about adding an extra layer of shingles, it enhances the look of the roof and the house.
- Environment Friendly: With “go green” becoming the mantra, environmentally conscious people are beginning to prefer re roofing as an alternative, since it reduces waste from the old shingles and the used materials. The environment savings is even more with large rooftops.
However, re roofing would not be an appropriate option for severely damaged roofs. If your roof has already undergone severe damage, then laying a new roof over it would only be a cosmetic change and a temporary cover up. In future, it can actually lead to greater damage, not to mention the additional cost of getting a new roof made and removing the old one. Thus, re roofing has emerged as a viable option for roof restorations. The associated benefits make for a strong reason to opt for it, save money, time and effort.