Is it okay to build a roof right over the existing one?
HGTV normally gives out some pretty good advice for homeowners on their blog. However, when a reader asked about building a second roof on top of an existing one, we believe their expert is just plain wrong.
Here’s the original question from HGTV’s web site:
Q: We recently had a roof put on our house. When the contractors got started, one of them fell through the roof and into our kitchen. The contractor said our roof was too far gone to save, so he suggested the best way to fix the problem was to build another roof right over the top of the existing one. Is it OK to do that? We wanted him to just tear the whole thing off and put in new trusses, but he said this way would do the same thing and it would be cheaper.
The HGTV author, listed as a certified home inspector, answered:
A: As long as there is room for ventilation between the old and new roofs, the reroof should be OK….
It’s not OK to do this! More than likely the reason someone fell through was from rot and decay. All of the rot and decay should be removed and a new structure built in its place, not over it or around it. If the trusses are rotten they should be replaced. They are a structural part of the building and cannot be ignored. When in doubt, get a second opinion from someone who actually examines the roof on site.
If you find yourself in a similar situation (anywhere near Portland, Oregon), contact us for a free inspection!
What is the Nailing Zone? – Part 2
Daniel White – Roof Replacement Production Manager – talks with us about what the nailing zone is on your roof. Composition roofs need to be installed correctly to avoid early failure!
We want you to know what is going on up there! Call us for a Free Inspection!
What is the Nailing Zone? – Part 1
Daniel White – Roof Replacement Production Manager – talks with us about what the nailing zone is on your roof. Composition roofs need to be installed correctly to avoid early failure!
If you have a roof that hasn’t been looked at lately, call us for a Free Inspection!
Would you Believe your Roof Moves?
Have you ever looked up at your roof or your neighbor’s roof and noticed strange looking bumps or see 4 x 8 sections that look as if they are rising from below? Have you asked yourself “How can it look like that?” Your roof may only be 5 to 7 years old. Unfortunately, time and time again in the Portland metro area, we see this sort of thing. Would you believe your roof moves? This movement is called expansion and contraction. As the temperature heats up and cools down from day to night and from summer to winter, so does your roof. As your roof heats up, it expands. As your roof cools down, it contracts, and so does the plywood under the roofing. If the plywood and rafters were put on with NO space between the sheets then what will happen to the plywood when it needs to expand? This is a picture of what happens to your plywood when it can’t move.
The roof in this picture is only 6 years old, and the contractor pushed the plywood together with no space. This is the kind of work done by a roofing contractor that puts on roofs as fast as they can, for as cheap as they can, and who knows as little as they can. Oh yes, it happens, more than what is talked about. Why isn’t it talked about? You now know the down side of cheap!
At Roof Life of Oregon, we take the time to put your roof on correctly. Sure, it may take us a fraction longer to finish your roof than most contractors, but wouldn’t you want us to take the time to put on your roof correctly the first time? We think so also. That is why we offer Portland’s only Lifetime Workmanship Warranty; to give you peace of mind that your roof will last and work as it should.
Roof Life owner Patrick D. Morin to be featured on….
Be sure to tune to KPAM 860 AM tomorrow from 9am to 11am to hear Handy Randy interview me about the unique challenges of keeping your roof in good shape here in Portland!
If you want to stream it live at home or at work click on the Listen Live link at the top right of the page – http://www.kpam.com/programming/handy_randy_home_crew.shtml
Tree Debris on Roofs in Portland, Oregon
Patrick talks about the importance of keeping your Cedar, Composition, and Tile roofs clear of excess tree debris.
He tells us about Compressor Blowing your roof. Why we do this and how we do it! He also tells us the different levels of tree debris and how they need to be maintained.
He talks about Heavy debris on Portland Roofs and the difference between a backpack blow and a compressor blow. Shake, Composition, and Tile roofs require blowing for health and longevity.
He talks about composition shingle and what happens when tree debris is left on them. He also talks about why it is important to monitor the tree debris level on your roof.
If it has been a while since you have looked at your roof, let Roof Life come and check it out for you.
Call us for a Free Inspection!
Looking to buy a home in the Portland Area?
Home inspectors check all aspects of your home, while they are useful, you are not always guaranteed an expert in all aspects of the home. A large percentage of home inspectors will never walk your roof.
We offer REAL ESTATE inspections for pending home or property sales. This is a very thorough and professional statement of the condition of a roof. Since the inspection is made with no expectation of future maintenance business, we cannot offer them free of charge. Please contact us for pricing information.
If your roof needs a check up or you have questions, call us.
503-925-0125
Do you want the company working on your roof to be environmentally conscious?
Green is a trendy color these days and Roof Life of Oregon is part of the style. We want to help Oregonians feel like they are giving back when it comes to their roof, just one step in helping the earth stay young and beautiful. Sometimes not thought of, but your roof can be a big energy waster! Especially, if your home is not properly ventilated or insulated, you could be wasting as much as 34% of the energy your home uses. Every roof that we are asked to inspect, we make suggestions in writing to correct not only the air flow, but debris and moss problems, and help with the UV exposure.
Roof Life of Oregon is Green many ways. We use only environmentally safe products on and around your home. Our proprietary roof treatment will keep the moss off your roof and lower the UV exposure while being 100% safe for your home, family, yard, and pets; our goal is to leave as small of an environmental foot print behind as possible.
We also recycle. When you choose to use any of our services, remember that all of the roofing materials that we remove from your home are recycled. Wood shakes are ground up to be used as ground cover. Asphalt Shingles are ground up and re-used in paving our roads. Any and all metal scraps are separated, recycled, and the proceeds are donated to the Shriners Children Hospital in Portland, OR.
When we repair or install your roof, we follow a procedure that ensures all components are installed correctly and that your roof and attic are properly ventilated. This procedure is tightly managed and audited. It is all part of our warranty; this ensures your home will perform at its best for the years to come. You will receive a Transferrable Lifetime Workmanship Warranty with your new roof ; we know by history that two-thirds of all roofing problems are traced to improper installation. Many times, improper workmanship happens because of improper or poorly managed procedures. When this happens, manufacturer warranties are voided, leaving the homeowner hung out to dry.
We want to bring you peace of mind that y
our home will work right, look good, and last longer. In Portland, a transferrable lifetime workmanship warranty on a roof is worth its weight in gold.
When you choose Roof Life of Oregon to serve you, whether it be maintenance or replacement, we make it a priority to give you the best service and benefit possible.