If your Minneapolis area roofing contractor says he can save you money by putting your new roof over the old, it's time to take a step back and get a second opinion from a certified and experienced roofing company like Quarve Contracting, Inc.  For nearly thirty years, Quarve has been repairing and replacing roofs in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, and they've encountered just about every roof situation you can imagine.  And they also have the experience to know when--and when not to--avoid a roof tear-off.

While it's true that tear-offs can add substantial cost to a roof replacement, often a roof tear-off is the only way to avoid problems with your new roof.  For instance:

  • Depending on how many layers of roofing and underlayment are already on your roof, you may need a roof tear-off to avoid putting excessive weight on the roof structure.
  • Local and/or state building codes may require it.
  • If you're replacing your roof because the asphalt shingles are curling, the curling shingles may cause the new roof to buckle as well, especially if the underlying cause of the curling is not taken care of.
  • If a roof replacement is due to a leak, leaving the old damaged roofing in place may just temporarily cover the problem, but if sections of the roof underneath the roofing have become wet and moldy, roofing over those can result in rotting and deterioration of not only the roof but the underlying structure.
  • There may also be warranty issues as well.  You will want to carefully examine the warranty for the new roofing materials to make sure that a roof tear-off is not a condition of the warranty.  If so, leaving the old roof in place voids the warranty.
If you're replacing your roof and considering leaving the old roof in place, we'd be happy to give you a second opinion.  Our consultations are always free, and as licensed and experienced roofing professionals, we are well versed in applicable building codes as well as manufacturers' requirements.  We can also tell you when leaving your old roof in place can be just fine. If you have questions about roof replacements, tear-offs, or repairs, contact the Twin Cities' leading roofing company, Quarve Contracting, Inc.  Call us at (763) 785-1472, or fill out our online contact form.  We can help you find the right roofing solution that won't end up being more costly later on.