Raleigh Roofing: Article About Laying New Roof Shingles Over Old
The shingles that lay over the top of the edge of the roof where the two sloping sides come together and form a straight line. Ridge caps are made from the same material as the shingles and gently fold over the edge.
FAQ of the day from our Raleigh roofing company: How many layers of shingles can be put on a roof?If the rafters and other wooden structures are strong, an asphalt roof can generally hold up to a maximum of three layers of shingles, but building codes often only allow for two. When the weight of the roof grows too heavy for the structure, the roof will sag or even collapse. While the structure can be reinforced, if needed, it's not a good idea to put more than two layers of shingles on the roof.
With all of the expenses involved in replacing the roof, many homeowners are on the lookout for new ways to cut costs. One of the more popular options to reduce the price of a roof is to have new shingles laid over the top of the existing roof. This is a viable option for those who have asphalt or composition shingles, but it won't work for slate, wood or clay. In addition, the existing roof and structure must be in fair condition for it to work well.
Placing composition shingles over the top of asphalt shingles is the most common type of reroofing performed by Raleigh roofing companies, but a metal roof can also be laid over the top of asphalt or composition shingles. The important thing to remember is that the extra layer won't improve its waterproofing characteristics. However, reroofing is more convenient and eliminates the necessity of stripping the old shingles and paying someone to haul them away. That makes the idea more economically friendly since the old shingles aren't being put into landfills, and it ensures that labor costs will go down.
Installing a new roof over the top of the old one isn't as simple as it sounds, however. There is still a lot of preparation for the new layer that has to be done.
The roofing company experts at Otto's Exteriors of Raleigh can assist you with any questions regarding shingle roofing or decks.
Vents and ridge caps need to be removed. Deformed shingles must be either repaired or replaced so the roof lays flat. New flashing has to be installed as well. Using the old flashing can be problematic further down the road, as the roof's under layer has to be perfectly sealed and watertight before the new shingles go on. New flashing is less likely to leak.
If the insulation is moldy, the structure has rot or the rafters are beginning to wear, all of that needs to be fixed before the new shingles are installed. It's also a good idea to make sure the gutter is in good shape as well. If the gutter is clogged with leaves and debris and water starts backing up onto the new roof during a rain, a leak is more difficult to pinpoint and fix when there is more than one layer of shingles on the house.
Shingles are designed for installation on a flat surface, so homeowners also need to make sure that the roofing company they choose is well experienced in laying new materials over old. It often takes a few tricks to get the roof to come out looking nice.
