Your roof matters, especially when you’re sprucing up your house. It shields your home from the weather, helps keep it cozy, and boosts curb appeal. But, slapping a new layer of roof over an old one might backfire. Let’s dig into how and why it’s a smarter move to pull off that old roof before adding a new one.
Experienced roofing contractors at Excel Home Improvement can help you with a new roof installation.
What Could Go Wrong?
Here’s why just adding a new roof on top of an old one might be a bad call. Roofs have a weight limit. Adding another layer might push it over the limit, especially if you use hefty materials like asphalt shingles. That extra load could mess with your roof’s structure. It might sag, break, or in the worst cases, cave in.
Problems in Disguise
Covering an old roof might hide bigger problems, like leaks or rot. A new layer could also trap moisture, worsening these issues. The damage could keep eating away at your roof—and your wallet—leading to pricier fixes down the line. That moisture could also breed mold and mildew, messing with your home’s air and even making you sick.
Shorter Life for the New Roof
Placing a new roof on top of an old one is risky. It could disrupt how well the new one lays and sticks. This might lead to issues like bubbling, warping, and too-early wear. Such issues could shorten the life of your new roof, erasing any savings you may have had by not removing the old roof first.
Problems with Warranty and Following the Law
A lot of times, the company that made your roofing material asks for a full removal of the old roof for the warranty to count. Covering an old roof could accidentally make your new roof’s warranty invalid, leaving you unprotected if problems crop up. Plus, in many places, laws limit how many layers a roof can have. Ignoring these laws by adding a layer could lead to serious trouble, like fines and the charge to make your roof legal again.
Higher Costs Down the Road
Covering an old roof might seem cheaper now, but it could cost you later. When you need to replace the roof again, you’ll have to take off two layers, doubling the removal and tossing out costs. It’s not only a harder job, but it could also damage your home’s structure during the removal.
Overall
If you remove the old roof before adding a new one, you can address any problems, keep your home in good shape, comply with warranty needs and laws, and get a better deal by lengthening the life of the new roof. While pricier and more time-consuming at first, the long-term gains and peace of mind make it a smart move for homeowners who want to protect or increase their property’s worth and safety.
Roofing Services and More for your Michigan Home
If you are due for a new roof or are experiencing problems with your current roof don’t wait, call Excel Home Improvement in Romulus to schedule a roof inspection. After assessing your roof and home’s exterior, we’ll help you decide what the best way to address what’s going on so that your home is safe, secure, and efficient.
Our trusted home improvement services include new roof installation, roof repair and replacement, siding installation, gutter systems and more. Executing accurate home improvement services that you can depend on is what makes us a go-to home improvement contractor throughout Southeastern Michigan. Contact us on our website to get a Free Estimate!