When you are in the market for a new roof, one way to tell if your roofer sets a premium on quality roof installation is whether they recommend tearing off of the existing roof or doing a lay over. They may give you a quote using both techniques and have you make the decision. Professional roofing contractors rarely promote laying a new roof over the old. Reputable roofers will strongly urge you that a tear off is the best option. Industry standards suggest it is not a good idea to install a new roof over an existing one, particularly when there are already two or more roofing layers on the home. The chance that you will be covering an existing or potential leak is too large a gamble to take on the entire structure of your home. In most cases, you would not be having a new roof installed in the first place if the old one were not past its lifespan. Additionally, installing a new roof over an old one adds a layer of weight to the structure of the building that may surpass its ability to bear adequately over time. A heavy roof is a particular detriment in terms of weight in areas of the country with snow accumulation. Perhaps you are selling the home and want to get by on the least expensive option available. A new roof is a definite marketing plus. The roof inspection that goes along with a home purchase is likely to uncover the lay over and may concern the potential buyer. The addition of a new roofing layer is very tricky to do well. If a buyer perceives cut corners in something as important as a new roof, they may lose trust in other improvements made to the home as well. When it comes down to it, the slightly higher cost associated with tearing off an old roof pays off many times over with future benefits. For example: > Any leaks or other defects in the roofing deck will be exposed and repaired prior to installing a new roof. > Older homes may have asbestos shingles must be removed and discarded of properly to avoid health problems related to contamination. > If you want to add skylights or an attic ventilation system, your opportunity is present with a clean roofing deck. > A layer of waterproofing can be added before the new roof is applied to help protect against future ice and rain damage. > You will eliminate misalignments and bumps that occur with a second layer of roofing so your new roof will have a smoother, crisper appearance. > The flashing will most likely need replacement, which is easiest to do with a new re-roof rather than an installation over an existing roof. > One of the most important reasons to tear off an old roof is that leaving it in place may void or limit the warranty that comes with a new roof installation. Whatever your choice, make sure that you are informed of the pros and cons associated with a tear off and a lay over and enjoy your new roof for many years to come! This article is brought to you on behalf of http://www.knockoutroofing.com/ of Utah serves Salt Lake City and surrounding communities and counties with superior roofing products and craftsmanship.
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