Can You Repair a Roof With Two Layers of Shingles?

If you want to upgrade your home's curb appeal, roof layers seem a practical idea. However, these layers can cause complications in the long run.

Damaged shingles are more common than you might think; bad weather, poor-quality roof materials or poor workmanship, and lack of maintenance contribute to shingle damage.

If you've noticed that your shingles are damaged, and you're afraid it might affect the entire roof, you might be wondering about a quick-fix solution that will save you both time and money.

Can you repair your damaged roof with two layers of shingles?

If you're looking to minimize repairs and maintain a high-quality roof over your head, you may want to skip this cheap-fix option,

At NOVA Home Improvements, customer satisfaction is our top priority. Read on to learn more about why fixing your roof with two layers of shingles shouldn't be your first option.

Two Layers of Shingles: Helping or Destroying Roof Replacement?

Will adding a second layer of shingles solve my roofing problems? The short answer to this is no, it won't.

Resorting to double layer roof might help with missing shingles, but it won't help with the key problems you're having: roof leaks, water damage, flashing, etc.

This is just camouflaging the problem. Adding multiple layers to cover leaks isn't as effective in most cases as you might think. As a homeowner, this might not be obvious at first glance, but most roofing companies will directly draw you attention to the omission you're making.

When existing shingles are torn for repairs, they can't be built back to multiple layers again. What does this mean for your current roof? Well, it means that you might see a steep in the first layer of shingles.

Pressing Issues With Two Layers of Shingles

Installing two layers of shingles is generally viewed as a poor roofing solution for your house, and here are the most concerning issues that you can expect:

Repair Difficulty

As we've already hinted, the installation of two layers of shingles makes it harder to make the necessary repairs happen. Any roof contractor will not recommend resorting to this fix, because not only does it damage the roofing materials, it makes the process more compex and expensive.

Additional Weight

Roofs are supposed to be firm and protect the people inside, but adding extra weight will do more harm than good. For instance, two layers of asphalt shingles will put unnecessary stress on the structure of your roof.

Too much weight may lead to your roof collapsing - so, be aware!

Reduced Home Appraisal Value

Last but not least, adding a new layer on top of old shingles will only decrease the appraisal value of your house. This goes out to homeowners that are in the selling process.

If we're talking numbers, two layers of shingles can reduce the value of your home by 15%.

Once they notice that there's a second layer of shingles, they'll suspect that there are potential problems (mold growth, water damage, negligence, etc.)

Ventilation Issues

Another problem with adding a roof overlay is ventilation. Adding more shingles on your roof may create ventilation problems in the attic. Eventually, this will turn into mold growth, more moisture, and deck damage.

Reduced Lifespan

Adding a second layer will not only damage the roofing material, but it will significantly reduce the life span of your roof. You might think you're trying to preserve your old roof, but you're actually accelerating the process of a complete replacement.

Minimizing Damage If You Have Multiple Layers

For instance, if you have multiple layers of asphalt shingles, here are some possible solutions that can help you minimize the damage and spare you the trouble of additional costs.

Patch Your Roof With Cement

Cement is a strong and durable material made from ground asphalt. It's commonly used to fix holes and leaks, but it can also serve as an effective patch in times of need.

The process is simple also. Locate the problem, and use cement to patch up the area.

Cover Your Roof With Tarps

Another effective way of minimizing roof damage is using some type of barrier. For example, using tarps as a roof barrier can help you prevent further water damage and potential roof leaks. To secure tarps, add some heavy weight materials like sandbags.

Avoid using staples or nails. This will only create more space for water and wind damage.

Re-Caulk Around The Base

You want to avoid making any more holes in your roof. So, if you suspect a potential leak around your ventilation and chimney, you can just re-caulk the area. It's a simple way that saves money and prevents water coming in.

Call Your Roofing Contractor

If you're not an expert at repairing roofs, you might want to choose the safe route and contact your roofing contractor. He'll help you replace, fix, and install new shingles - whatever eneds to be done.

Shingle Maintenance 101

If you want to preserve the quality of your roof for years to come, avoid any unnecessary repairs, and protect yourself from high winds and water damage, here are some shingle maintenance tips that'll help you achieve this:

Inspect your shingles regularly
Check for algae or moss growth
Ensure that there's proper attic ventilation
Trim the trees around your roof (if you have any)
Clean your roof thoroughly (remove debris, branches, leaves, dirt, etc.)
Call for a professional and repair the damage in time!

By tending to your roof's needs in time, you'll contribute to saving money and time.

And if you need any additional help? We're here to jump in.

NOVA Home Improvements At Your Service

If you've noticed that there's a problem with your roof, don't wait another minute to pass. Our well-organized team of expert roofing contractors is ready to solve your roofing needs: emergency roof repairs, installing a new roof, full roof replacement - we can do it all!

NOVA Home Improvements is #1 in the business. We work together with our customers to reach an affordable cost, help them save time, and ensure that the shield of their home is secured.

We're here to tend to your roofing needs with 100% professionalism.

Reach out to us now for a free estimate and let the process begin!

You can email us at novahome2021@gmail.com, or give us a call at (413) 455-8218.