A storm damage restoration, a roof replacement project, or any other job relating to your roofing system, for that matter, is a big investment for many homeowners. These types of home improvement require a lot of time, effort, and money to finish so it makes sense that you would want to get the most value out of them.
Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous roofing contractors who might take shortcuts and cut corners when it comes to their services. This not only minimizes the value you’re getting from their work but could also jeopardize your roof and cause problems in the future. One such practice has to do with underlayment. Here are what some of our experts at Genesis Roofing recommend about underlayment installation in roof replacement projects.
Reroofing Versus Roof Replacement
In a residential roof replacement, you are basically getting a brand-new roof. This means you’re getting a new roof deck with a new layer of felt and underlayment to help keep it waterproof. On the other hand, reroofing is done when a contractor nails new shingles right on top of the old ones. In some areas, this is permitted and its benefit is a lower cost for homeowners. However, this essentially doubles the weight of your roof and can be dangerous in some situations.
What Happens When the Underlayment Is Not Replaced?
The underlayment is a layer of roofing felt that seals the rest of the roof deck against water penetration. It can deteriorate over time just like your shingles. An aging underlayment does not perform as well as a new one and can lead to leaks and other problems down the road.
Warranty Restrictions
The warranties for roof leak repair or roof replacement due to roofing failure are often predicated on the assumption that you are installing a new layer of felt underneath the new shingles. Keeping the old underlayment may void the warranty. Talk to your roofer about this possibility if you’re getting a roof replacement.
From roof repairs to a full roof replacement, you can count on our team of professionals at Genesis Roofing. Give us a call at (515) 202-1667 or fill out our contact form and request a free estimate today. We serve homeowners in Clive, IA, as well as other neighboring communities in Iowa.