How To Repair A 4 Layer Shingle Roof

A roof replacement is a big investment. Because it's such a large investment, some homeowners effort to relieve money where they tin can.

One of the ways they do this is past nailing over their current asphalt shingle roof. But sometimes, at that place are already two layers of shingles on their current roof.

That's when we're asked, "Tin can't you just put a third layer of shingles on my roof?" The answer to this question is actually quite simple.

For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners understand all aspects of the covering industry and the "why" behind sure rules and laws. Fifty-fifty when it's something as simple every bit the number of shingle layers y'all're allowed to have on a roof.

To start this article, we'll become right to the bespeak of if it's possible to put three layers of asphalt shingles on your roof. After getting that answer, we give you the 4 warnings y'all and other homeowners need to know about nailing over your old roof. s

Can you put three layers of asphalt shingles on a roof?

No, y'all can't put three layers of asphalt shingles on a roof. In nearly states, yous're only allowed to have two layers of asphalt shingles on a roof for burn condom reasons.

can you put three layers of asphalt shingles on a roof

But that doesn't hateful you won't still see roofs with 3 or iv layers today. And some roofing contractors volition all the same install more than 2 layers.

All the same, a reputable roofing contractor will recommend a full replacement if you already have two or more layers. Now, if your current roof just has one layer of shingles, it is possible to do a nail-over reroof if the situation is correct.

Just exist aware, well-nigh roofs won't be a good candidate for a boom-over. If your cobblestone shingle roof is most the end of its lifespan and the shingles are flat (no lifted or croaky shingles, blisters, or bumps), your roof might be a skillful candidate for a nail-over.

The roof likewise must accept merely a few penetrations, a small amount of flashing, and no walls that barrel upward confronting the shingles. However, it'south ultimately up to what your contractor finds during your roof inspection that determines if a nail-over is an option.

four warnings about nailing over your quondam cobblestone shingles

At present you know your roof is only allowed to accept 2 layers of asphalt shingles. Remember, if you take more than two, you'll have to replace your roof.

But if you only have one layer and want to try to save money, a nail-over might be a possibility. Before you try that though, there are some things you need to know about nailing over your old shingles.

1. Your roof decking can't be inspected

Roof decking (also known every bit roof sheathing) is the foundation of your unabridged asphalt shingle roof system. Unfortunately, there's no opportunity to inspect the decking when nailing over your one-time shingles.

rotten roof decking (Rotten decking)

If there is a problem with the decking and 1 of the boards breaks during installation, the contractor will take off the former shingles, supercede the decking, put the erstwhile shingles back on, and start installing over again. This adds to the time it takes to supercede your roof and fifty-fifty adds to the last cost of the job.

Unlike nailing over, your roof is taken downwards to a clean decking when getting a full roof replacement. This means your contractor has a chance to audit the decking's integrity to see if it can handle your new roof.

And if they do find problems with your roof decking, the boards volition be replaced before installing your new roofing components.

ii. Your electric current roof flashing has to be used

Roof flashing is metal cloth placed anywhere the shingles butt up confronting something, such as a wall, chimney, or in open valleys. It's 1 of the nearly crucial roofing components that every roof needs to have.

roof flashing around chimney (Flashing on chimney)

If y'all get a smash-over, your current contractor must rely on the flashing already on your roof from the terminal time it was replaced. If the metal's integrity is compromised or the flashing job was done poorly, you should not become a blast-over.

If they use the compromised flashing during your nail-over, information technology'south guaranteed yous'll have leaks. If you lot're seriously because a nail-over, ask your covering contractor near the condition of your roof flashing before like-minded to whatsoever piece of work.

3. Your new cobblestone shingle roof won't qualify for the best warranties

All asphalt shingles come out of the packet with a material warranty from the manufacturer. For example, 3-tab cobblestone shingles come out of the package with a 25-twelvemonth warranty.

On the other paw, architectural cobblestone shingles have a thirty-year warranty that's prorated after 10 years (coverage diminishes over time). Just when you use all the roofing components from 1 manufacturer for your roof replacement, you tin can get the fifty-year not-prorated enhanced warranty.

Considering a boom-over doesn't replace certain crucial covering components, you won't qualify for the enhanced warranty. Fifty-fifty if you become architectural shingles for your nail-over, it won't be possible to get the enhanced warranty.

Your contractor'due south workmanship warranty will still be the same, but y'all'll just have the out-of-the-packet material warranty on your cobblestone shingles.

4. Upgrading a three-tab shingle to an architectural shingles creates an aesthetic issue

Before a roof replacement, y'all'll need to consider if you lot want to go along your electric current asphalt shingle or if you want to upgrade. About homeowners who have a 3-tab asphalt shingle roof want to upgrade to architectural shingles.

But when you upgrade and nail over a 3-tab shingle with an architectural shingle, it causes an aesthetic issue. This is because three-tab cobblestone shingles run on a 5-inch exposure (you come across 5 inches of the shingle out of the full 12 inches) while architectural shingles run on 5 ⅝ inch exposure.

This difference in size creates a hump on your roof every 8 shingles. That's why I recommend nailing over with the aforementioned asphalt shingle y'all already have on your current roof.

Is it worth information technology to nail-over instead of replacing your old roof?

Now y'all know the iv warnings of nailing over your one-time asphalt shingle roof. But recollect, information technology's upwards to what your roofing contractor finds during their inspection if your roof isn't a expert candidate for a blast-over.

Only what if nailing over is an option for yous? Is it really worth it to relieve money instead of but replacing it altogether?

To answer this question, you need to know how a boom-over and roof replacement truly lucifer up. That's why nosotros wrote another commodity comparison a blast-over to a total roof replacement on key factors like lifespan, cost, and more.

The squad at Beak Ragan Roofing has provided homeowners in Nashville and surrounding areas with high-quality roofing services since 1990. Nosotros piece of work with you lot and your budget to ensure you go a roof that lasts for decades.

Cheque out Nail-Over vs. Roof Replacement to assist you decide which one is right for you and your upcoming covering project.

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