Roof stripping, that is. This is the process of getting rid of the old roof covering material, down to the deck. In the process, if done correctly, you’ll learn a lot of things about what worked on your roof and what didn’t. As all things that are good for you, there are costs and inconveniences involved, aspects which are exploited by those contractors who don’t have your best interests at heart.
What are some of the typical reasons you’re given why leaving your old roof on and going over is/are acceptable? They include:
- You’re saving money.
- It’s more ecological (no landfill waste!).
- It’s more secure.
- It provides another layer of protection to your roof.
- It’s recommended by the manufacturer.
- There’s much less residual mess to clean up.
So many great reasons why you should just leave the old roof on, and go over! And yet, pretty much all of these are false, based on the homeowner’s lack of knowledge of how the roof system is supposed to work, and compounded by the contractor’s desire to get the job done as fast as possible, get paid, and move on. If you are presented with the suggestion that leaving your old roof on is an acceptable strategy, there are a number of things you should be aware of before you agree to this.
Consulting PG 