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Roof and Decking Repair on Roof With…

| Posted in General Discussion on February 12, 2000 06:59am

*
The roof on my house is 9 years old, it is the second layer of shingles. Due to a very poor design and bad venting, an area of decking equal to about one square is rotted and needs replacing. The venting problem has been resolved but, the question is: How or do you even recommend that I replace just the one square of roof and decking as oppose to re-roofing the entire section which is twenty square? Can a roof section with two layers of shingles be repaired? I am a remodeling contrctor and this is my home I have owned for four years. I would like to get a little more of my investment back out of this present roof before replacing it in its’ entirety. Note(5/12 pitch)

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  1. Guest_ | Feb 08, 2000 07:23am | #1

    *
    Rick,

    Yes, you can just repair and replace the one square area. Tear it out, replace the bad sheathing with new sheathing of the same thickness, add another layer of plywood on top of that which should equal the thickness of the first roof, probably about 3/8", and put on the new shingles. There is nothing wrong about this. The only problem will be that you'll be able to tell there is a patch there. It will probably look smoother than the rest of the area and the shingle color will be different. Depending on where this area is on your house, it might not bother you. With two layers and a nine year old roof, the whole thing will probably need replacing in a few years anyway.

    Good luck,

    Red dog

    1. Guest_ | Feb 08, 2000 08:17am | #2

      *Rick, if the weather's good enough where you are... go for it, and do the whole thing. You'll see where and if there's other problems to tackle before they grow to major proportions.Do it up right: Inspect and replace sheathing as needed, new flashing, new felt, bituthane, and 30yr. Architecturals. Should be bulletproof for decades.Just my opinion...

  2. Stephen_E.Hazlett | Feb 08, 2000 07:11pm | #3

    *
    Rick,You can most definitely make the repair.I do quite a few of these each year.

    1)Carefully remove the top layer from the affected area.Make sure you remove a extra tab or so in each dimension. Instead of 10x10 remove maybe 12x12.

    2)Just as carefully remove the bottom layer.By carefully I mean pay attention to the perimeter shingles(these will affect your tie- in later)You can be as rough as you want with the field shingles in the midddle of the area----they won't affect anything.

    3) Cut out the bad wood.Match the original decking thickness as close as possibble.

    4)If you want to felt or icegaurd,do so.

    5)Snap calklines on the deck showing the ORIGINAL first layer course positions.Install your new FIRST layer of shingles along these lines.You can fearlessly short nail,high nail---whateverr on this FIRST layer because it is really only a set of shims.

    6)Install your new SECOND layer using the same pattern as the rest of the roof. This layer must be nailed properly.

    7) clean up your mess,admire your work,and enjoy a beer.This entire process will be an easy half day(3-4 hours)Including cleanup.If you have done this type of thing before maybe much less.

    If you take care during the tearoff to simplify your tie-ins,and install a new FIRST LAYER as a shim layer you will have a good looking repair.The shim layer will help you match the texture of the rest of the roof and there will be no ripple or pucker at the eddge of the repair area .There DEFINITELY will be a color difference.You will have to decide how much that would bother you.

    Lets look at the finances involved.Approx. $150 in materials and dumping and a half day spent on an easily walkable roof VS. About 20 sq. Tear-off and re-roof at $4000-5000 plus(retail)

    If I was doing the job for a customer I would charge about $550-600.I would look at the whole roof and discuss with them the remaining lifespan of the roof.A well done ,good looking repair like this is an almost sure -fire source of referalls.It also puts you at the top of the list of contractors to do the entire roof down the road.
    From the customers viewpoint the payback period on this repair is about 2-3 years.If the entire roof lasts longer than 2-3 years (which it should) your customer will actually be making money every year untill its replacement. The $4000-5000 cost of a new roof may not be an option for a customer at this time,but $600 should be within easy reach of every homeowner(or in your case $150). If the color differential of the repair is not a problem for you I would definitely proceed with the repair.

    Good Luck,Stephen

  3. Rick_Marcella | Feb 12, 2000 06:59am | #4

    *
    The roof on my house is 9 years old, it is the second layer of shingles. Due to a very poor design and bad venting, an area of decking equal to about one square is rotted and needs replacing. The venting problem has been resolved but, the question is: How or do you even recommend that I replace just the one square of roof and decking as oppose to re-roofing the entire section which is twenty square? Can a roof section with two layers of shingles be repaired? I am a remodeling contrctor and this is my home I have owned for four years. I would like to get a little more of my investment back out of this present roof before replacing it in its' entirety. Note(5/12 pitch)

  4. Guest_ | Feb 12, 2000 06:59am | #5

    *
    Do the job right, I agree with George. If one problem exists more than likely there is another. I seldom see a 2nd roof last more than 15yrs. Besides that your a contractor right, your reputation right, don't patch your own house! Just an opinion!

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