5 Reasons to Tear Off Old Roof Before a Replacement
At Freedom Roofing, Windows & Siding LLC, we believe in doing the job right—every time.
When it’s time for a new roof, one of the most popular questions homeowners ask us is: “Can we just install the new shingles over the old ones?” And short answer, yes, but that’s not what’s best for the homeowner, their home, or a long-term solution! At Freedom Roofing, Windows & Siding LLC, we never recommend it. We always fully remove the existing roof before installing a new one. Here’s why:
- Manufacturer Warranties Often Require a Full Tear-Off
- Hidden Damages that Need to Be Fixed
- Excessive Weight on Your Home
- Roof-Over is Just a Temporary Fix
- We’re Fast—and We Plan Around the Weather
One of the most important reasons we always remove the existing roof is to ensure that your new roofing system qualifies for full manufacturer warranty protection. Many top roofing manufacturers won’t honor their warranties if the shingles were installed over old ones. After all, why take a risk on the protection you’re paying for?
An old roof can hide a lot of issues—rot, moisture damage, mold, or soft decking—that you simply can’t see without tearing off the shingles. During our 21-point roof inspection, we can sometimes find these issues on the roof while we are walking around, but there’s no guarantee. That’s also a big reason why we get into your attic for the inspection; we want to see if there are apparent damages to the roof decking. Installing a new roof on top of these issues is like putting a fresh coat of paint on a crumbling wall. When we remove everything down to the deck, we can inspect and address any underlying damage that can only be found by removing everything. That gives us (and you) peace of mind that your new roof isn’t just a cover-up—it’s a complete roofing solution.
Your roof is a structural system, and every layer adds weight. We’ve seen homes with two, even three layers of shingles—each one adding hundreds of pounds to the structure. This excess weight can stress your home’s framing and can even reduce the life of your new roof. Removing the old roof lets your home breathe easier and ensures a longer-lasting installation. Don’t even get us started on the ventilation problems it can cause.
Let’s be honest: installing a new roof over an old one is a shortcut. And shortcuts in roofing don’t last. As we mentioned earlier, it’s just like putting fresh paint on a crumbling wall. We’ve seen homes with three layers of shingles trying to hold things together—but the reality is, it’s just kicking the can down the road. Sooner or later, it’ll cost more in the long run.
Another question we often hear from homeowners is, “Won’t my roof just be wide open? What about rain?” Freedom Roofing, Windows & Siding LLC’s roof replacement crews are highly trained and, depending on the size of the roof, can do 1 or 2 roof replacements in a day. We also don’t replace every piece of decking, only the pieces that are fully damaged. Some homes don’t need any new roof decking, but to get the warranties from the manufacturers, we need to get down to the roof decking. We come prepared, we stay efficient, and we treat your home like it’s our own.
What’s more unpredictable than the weather? We don’t want to put your home at risk, and so if the weather doesn’t cooperate? We don’t take chances. If rain or storms are in the forecast, we’ll push your installation to the next available dry day. Our priority is always to protect your home and give you the best possible outcome.
We Tear Off Because Freedom Roofing, Windows & Siding LLC Cares
At Freedom Roofing, Windows & Siding LLC, we take pride in our work. We’re not just here to slap on new shingles—we’re here to make sure your roof is solid, secure, and built to last. Tearing off the old roof is the only true way to ensure that happens.
If you’re ready to invest in a roofing system that will protect your home for decades—not just years—we’re ready to help. We have been an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor for over 5 years, and that permits us to offer the best manufacturer’s warranties in the industry. We offer some of the best workmanship warranties, too.
Call Freedom Roofing, Windows & Siding LLC today to schedule your free estimate at (419) 820-2189 or fill out the form here, and we will reach out to you!
