When to Replace Your Roof

BARBARA: Somebody told me that it was time for me to reshingle my entire house.

TOM: Was that somebody a roofing contractor?

BARBARA: No. (Tom chuckles)

LESLIE: OK.

BARBARA: One of my neighbors.

TOM: Alright, go ahead.

LESLIE: (chuckling) Oh, no.

BARBARA: And I’m wondering – somebody else told me – I got some roofers out here and I got some opinions but a non-roofer told me that I didn’t necessarily have to replace all of the old shingles; that I could do just the bad ones and it would still do a good job.

TOM: Barbara, how old is your house?

BARBARA: I think it was built in the 70s.

TOM: Alright, is it the original roof?

BARBARA: I think so.

TOM: Well, if it is the original roof and it was built in the 70s, it probably is at the end of a normal lifecycle. If it’s not leaking, you may be able to go a little longer on it. If you want to put a new roof on – which wouldn’t be a bad thing if it’s a 25 or 30-year-old roof –

BARBARA: Right.

TOM: – the best way to do that is to remove the old shingles and strip it down to the roof sheathing and then put only one layer on. However, you don’t have to do that. You can put a second layer over it and that will be less expensive.

BARBARA: Over the old ones.

TOM: Yep, and that would be your option. I would be very careful and get several estimates. Make sure you get references from the contractors.

BARBARA: Right.

TOM: You know, check with the Better Business Bureau and get a good guy to do this job for you if you’re ready for it.

BARBARA: Well, I was told to wait until the summer came.

TOM: Well, I mean right now – it’s OK to do it right now in the spring.

BARBARA: In the spring? OK.

TOM: Yeah. You don’t want to do it in the fall going into the winter because the shingles don’t always have a chance to seal, but the best time to do this is in the spring or the summer.

BARBARA: OK. Very good. Thank you very much for your help.

TOM: You’re welcome. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.