Re-shingling a shed roof? (1 Viewer)

[NewlyRetired]

I have a shed roof that needs to be repaired.

There is one layer of shingles on the shed now.

Should I add a second layer of shingles on top of the old ones or should I remove the old ones first?

If it is ok to directly add a second layer, do I follow the same steps as I would putting down shingles on a new roof or is there a different order to follow?

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

I did this to my mom's shed a year ago. Took off the old material, started fresh. With the right tool, stripping the old shed shouldn't take long. A bigger version of this.

I know people put shingles on top of old ones, but not sure that's good practice vs. trying to save a few bucks.

Don't forget to put edging down to keep moisture from entering from the sides.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I did this to my mom's shed a year ago. Took off the old material, started fresh. With the right tool, stripping the old shed shouldn't take long. A bigger version of this.

I know people put shingles on top of old ones, but not sure that's good practice vs. trying to save a few bucks.

Don't forget to put edging down to keep moisture from entering from the sides.

I saw a video showing how to remove them and the guy (Tom Silva from This Old House) just used a simple pitch fork. The task of removing did not look too bad.

Did you remove the paper from underneath as well and start with new paper?

 

[Battles]

You can go over one layer, but it's always better to remove imo. Especially if it is leaking. You'll want to find if there is any damage to the substrate.

If you're tearing off, try not to damage any metal drip edges. Those can be left on. You'll want to remove the old felt and put down new felt.

 

[KCitons]

Just go over the top. I spent two years roofing houses to pay for college. Here in Nebraska, you could put two layers on a house before you had to tear off. They've since changed the rule, and everything needs to be a tear off.

I would have no problem putting a second layer of shingles on a shed. Assuming it's 3 tab style, cut the tabs off your shingles and turn the remaining portion upside down so the adhesive part is along the roof edge. From there the top of all your new rows will butt up against the bottom of your old shingles. (makes for quick work).

Most roofs leak due to poor flashing around edges/fireplaces/skylights/vents, or the roofer didn't nail the shingle properly and left nail heads exposed. Eliminate these problems and you will have a water tight roof, regardless of previous leak. If there is damage to sheathing, then you would be best served to remove and replace that before roofing.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Remove, don't layer.

Pitch fork or flat shovel and you'll have them off in no time.

 

[gmbacm]

Remove, don't layer.

Pitch fork or flat shovel and you'll have them off in no time.

i would say it depends if you plan to be there long term, say 15+ish years. If so remove, if not just go overtop and save yourself the time and expense of cleaning up and getting rid of shingles. You wont be around when they get replaced again and one layer underneath is fine.

 

[NCCommish]

I'd be worried about damage underneath if I had a leak. As grandpa used to say - If you have time to do it twice you have time to do it right.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

What's the slope? Pretty close to flat? If so, get that old #### off, patch up whatever is already damaged, and start over. I'd do this no matter the pitch/condition, but that's just me.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Remove, don't layer.

Pitch fork or flat shovel and you'll have them off in no time.

i would say it depends if you plan to be there long term, say 15+ish years. If so remove, if not just go overtop and save yourself the time and expense of cleaning up and getting rid of shingles. You wont be around when they get replaced again and one layer underneath is fine.

Why not just do it properly? It's a shed, it can't be that big so the time would be minimal and the expense would be one trip to the dump.

I'm shopping for a house now and when I see half-assed work like that it is a huge red flag.

 

[Mr. Retukes]

Just buy some FlexSeal and spray it on the entire roof. Problem solved.

 

[KCitons]

Remove, don't layer.

Pitch fork or flat shovel and you'll have them off in no time.

i would say it depends if you plan to be there long term, say 15+ish years. If so remove, if not just go overtop and save yourself the time and expense of cleaning up and getting rid of shingles. You wont be around when they get replaced again and one layer underneath is fine.

Why not just do it properly? It's a shed, it can't be that big so the time would be minimal and the expense would be one trip to the dump. I'm shopping for a house now and when I see half-assed work like that it is a huge red flag.

Who says shingling over one layer is doing it improperly?

Also, the OP didnt mention any damage.

 

[gmbacm]

Remove, don't layer.

Pitch fork or flat shovel and you'll have them off in no time.

i would say it depends if you plan to be there long term, say 15+ish years. If so remove, if not just go overtop and save yourself the time and expense of cleaning up and getting rid of shingles. You wont be around when they get replaced again and one layer underneath is fine.

Why not just do it properly? It's a shed, it can't be that big so the time would be minimal and the expense would be one trip to the dump.I'm shopping for a house now and when I see half-assed work like that it is a huge red flag.

Who says shingling over one layer is doing it improperly?

Also, the OP didnt mention any damage.

definately nothing wrong with taking it off, but if no damage to repair and its not against code just creating some extra work and expense by removing it. (Im guessing most jurisdictions are fine with two layers - but check for sure).

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Remove, don't layer.

Pitch fork or flat shovel and you'll have them off in no time.

i would say it depends if you plan to be there long term, say 15+ish years. If so remove, if not just go overtop and save yourself the time and expense of cleaning up and getting rid of shingles. You wont be around when they get replaced again and one layer underneath is fine.

Why not just do it properly? It's a shed, it can't be that big so the time would be minimal and the expense would be one trip to the dump. I'm shopping for a house now and when I see half-assed work like that it is a huge red flag.

Who says shingling over one layer is doing it improperly? Also, the OP didnt mention any damage.

Lots of building codes. The shingle manufacturer that I spent 5 years working for. Common sense.

There could very well be damage that you can't see underneath. If the shingles are old and dog eared, that may show through.

Shingles are meant to be laid on a flat surface. Putting them over top of old ones is just being lazy.

 

[KCitons]

You know building codes for all 50 states and each municipality?

it's a shed. Pretty sure he doesnt have a dry walled ceiling hiding water damage.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

You know building codes for all 50 states and each municipality?

Link to where I said I did?

 

[KCitons]

Two posts up. You cited building codes as a reason.

 

[SWC]

take off the old ones this is not a whole house you are talking about it will not taake long just get it done and then you will also know if you need to replace any decking just do it right like my main man holmes says take that to the bank bromigos

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Two posts up. You cited building codes as a reason.

And?

 

[KCitons]

And, you're wrong.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

And, you're wrong.

 

[NutterButter]

just tarp it

 

[comfortably numb]

You're retired.

What the hell else do you have to do?

Remove the shingles!

 

[KCitons]

Let's back up. A guy needs to re-roof a shed, so he goes to a message board to get help. Based on that info alone, I would recommend he go over the existing layer or pay someone else to do it. If he tears off the original roof, he will possibly need to know how to replace sheathing, put down felt, (and perhaps frost guard), and maybe make cutouts for vents (ridge or roof). Then he will need to make sure he lays out each row correctly, or the roof will look bad to anyone with more than one eye. But, by going over the existing, he has his rows laid out for him, and needs little more than a hammer, nails and a utility knife.

Remember this is a shed.

 

[SWC]

Let's back up. A guy needs to re-roof a shed, so he goes to a message board to get help. Based on that info alone, I would recommend he go over the existing layer or pay someone else to do it. If he tears off the original roof, he will possibly need to know how to replace sheathing, put down felt, (and perhaps frost guard), and maybe make cutouts for vents (ridge or roof). Then he will need to make sure he lays out each row correctly, or the roof will look bad to anyone with more than one eye. But, by going over the existing, he has his rows laid out for him, and needs little more than a hammer, nails and a utility knife.

Remember this is a shed.

i thinkg this guy came on here about his tractor to and got some good advice and got her going on his own he is handy and can make it happen all you are saying is if you post on the internet then do a halfased job well not in my book brohan go at it right and hey at the end of the day your shed will look great take that to the not mailing it in bank bromigo

 

[NutterButter]

how big is this shed?

 

[gmbacm]

how big is this shed?

Decent size

 

[KCitons]

Let's back up. A guy needs to re-roof a shed, so he goes to a message board to get help. Based on that info alone, I would recommend he go over the existing layer or pay someone else to do it. If he tears off the original roof, he will possibly need to know how to replace sheathing, put down felt, (and perhaps frost guard), and maybe make cutouts for vents (ridge or roof). Then he will need to make sure he lays out each row correctly, or the roof will look bad to anyone with more than one eye. But, by going over the existing, he has his rows laid out for him, and needs little more than a hammer, nails and a utility knife.

Remember this is a shed.

i thinkg this guy came on here about his tractor to and got some good advice and got her going on his own he is handy and can make it happen all you are saying is if you post on the internet then do a halfased job well not in my book brohan go at it right and hey at the end of the day your shed will look great take that to the not mailing it in bank bromigo

there is no right or wrong answer to going over the existing roof. I'm guessing the people that decided whether or not it's allowed by code, didn't do so on an internet message board.

There are roofs where you can't even distinguish that there are two layers until you count the edges. At my previous residence, I roofed over the original layer. It was fine for 15 years, until a hail storm forced a replacement.

 

[NewlyRetired]

No leaks in shed roof

Only in house for maybe 5 more years before downsizing but I will remove first layer as recommended just to make sure no damage.

The shed size is 8x12

The roof style is gambrel. It looks like this picture

http://greenacres.info/sheds-garages/painted-sheds/painted-dutch-barn-shed/

 

[NutterButter]

That's a big shed. You might want to sub that out.

 

[SWC]

you are right kcheapcoin if the code says it is ok then it is ok by the code congrats still does not mean it is the best way to do it code calls for only one inch over eight to move water but hell if i would want that next to my foundation you see what i am saying brohan the old code says it is ok argument is pretty thin take that to the bank bromigo

 

[KCitons]

you are right kcheapcoin if the code says it is ok then it is ok by the code congrats still does not mean it is the best way to do it code calls for only one inch over eight to move water but hell if i would want that next to my foundation you see what i am saying brohan the old code says it is ok argument is pretty thin take that to the bank bromigo

Your using one example to cover all applications. Cheap has nothing to do with it. Why spend more, or waste more time doing X, when why will do the same job just as effectively. Again, I doubt you could tell which roofs are one layer and which are two without getting on a ladder and lifting shingles. But, since you write the code, I will concede to the bromigo.

 

[SWC]

good then i think we are done here brohan and i accept your apology take that to the bank

 

[NewlyRetired]

I have purchased all the shingles, roofing paper and nails.

Today I removed the old shingles. Some were so bad they just crumbled in my hands. Others came up as full sheets.

I noticed that the roof did not have any paper on it and they used staples to install instead of roofing nails.

The shingles came up with not too much work but it did take a while to hand pry out all of the staples that were stuck.

The plywood looks decent in most places but there is one corner that looks soft via water damage, so I might just replace that.

I was hoping to remove the flashing/drip edge metal in a way that I could just reuse it, but I ended up mangling it in a few places so I will need to buy some of that.

I have no idea what to with the hundreds of pounds of shingles I pulled off. They are sitting on a tarp that I pulled behind the shed to get off the lawn before it killed it.

Hope tomorrow that I can start on the paper.

 

[rick6668]

I have purchased all the shingles, roofing paper and nails.

Today I removed the old shingles. Some were so bad they just crumbled in my hands. Others came up as full sheets.

I noticed that the roof did not have any paper on it and they used staples to install instead of roofing nails.

The shingles came up with not too much work but it did take a while to hand pry out all of the staples that were stuck.

The plywood looks decent in most places but there is one corner that looks soft via water damage, so I might just replace that.

I was hoping to remove the flashing/drip edge metal in a way that I could just reuse it, but I ended up mangling it in a few places so I will need to buy some of that.

I have no idea what to with the hundreds of pounds of shingles I pulled off. They are sitting on a tarp that I pulled behind the shed to get off the lawn before it killed it.

Hope tomorrow that I can start on the paper.

Nice job!

 

[SWC]

way to go brohan you got this made in the shade bromigo

 

[Black Box]

When I redid my shed's roof, I bought some heavy duty contractor bags. Put as many shingles as I could carry in each, and put out one or two a week with the trash. Don't want to upset the trash guy.

 

[Bull Dozier]

I have purchased all the shingles, roofing paper and nails.

Today I removed the old shingles. Some were so bad they just crumbled in my hands. Others came up as full sheets.

I noticed that the roof did not have any paper on it and they used staples to install instead of roofing nails.

The shingles came up with not too much work but it did take a while to hand pry out all of the staples that were stuck.

The plywood looks decent in most places but there is one corner that looks soft via water damage, so I might just replace that.

I was hoping to remove the flashing/drip edge metal in a way that I could just reuse it, but I ended up mangling it in a few places so I will need to buy some of that.

I have no idea what to with the hundreds of pounds of shingles I pulled off. They are sitting on a tarp that I pulled behind the shed to get off the lawn before it killed it.

Hope tomorrow that I can start on the paper.

Get one of those dumpster bags from Home Depot that Waste Management will come pick up?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Thanks for the advice on the bags, I will look into them.

I have a question about cutting both the paper and the shingles. Is it best to cut up on the roof itself or do I measure on the roof and then cut down on a surface and carry up to roof?

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Thanks for the advice on the bags, I will look into them.

I have a question about cutting both the paper and the shingles. Is it best to cut up on the roof itself or do I measure on the roof and then cut down on a surface and carry up to roof?

Take a cutting board up with you (plywood, chipboard, 2x10, etc).

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

Thanks for the advice on the bags, I will look into them.

I have a question about cutting both the paper and the shingles. Is it best to cut up on the roof itself or do I measure on the roof and then cut down on a surface and carry up to roof?

Our garbage company does a once/year bulky pickup. Perhaps yours does too?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Thanks for the advice on the bags, I will look into them.

I have a question about cutting both the paper and the shingles. Is it best to cut up on the roof itself or do I measure on the roof and then cut down on a surface and carry up to roof?

Our garbage company does a once/year bulky pickup. Perhaps yours does too?

I don't have a garbage company. I just use a transfer station in town. I will talk to them as well to see how they handle this stuff (if at all)

 

[NewlyRetired]

Thanks for the advice on the bags, I will look into them.

I have a question about cutting both the paper and the shingles. Is it best to cut up on the roof itself or do I measure on the roof and then cut down on a surface and carry up to roof?

Take a cutting board up with you (plywood, chipboard, 2x10, etc).

I am afraid I won't be that steady up there to cut. It is not a steep roof (roof looks like this http://shedimastersheds.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/12-foot-gambrel1.jpg)but my footing was poor today. When I had to pry out the staples I sat down and felt better that way..

 

[DocHolliday]

I worked for a roofing contractor one summer between semesters. I have not thought much about roofing for years. Now I remember why. Roofing is hard work. Good luck and stay safe OP.

 

[Mile High]

Normally you would cut in place since going up and down is a pain, but do what you are comfortable with.

 

[belljr]

You can use staples to put the paper down.

 

[NewlyRetired]

You can use staples to put the paper down.

I did not buy any staples (and I don't own a staple gun come to think of it).

Can I still use the roofing nails to keep the paper down?

 

[Mile High]

You can use staples to put the paper down.

I did not buy any staples (and I don't own a staple gun come to think of it).

Can I still use the roofing nails to keep the paper down?

Use a round plastic top nail. You can look them up.

 

[NewlyRetired]

You can use staples to put the paper down.

I did not buy any staples (and I don't own a staple gun come to think of it).

Can I still use the roofing nails to keep the paper down?

Use a round plastic top nail. You can look them up.

I already purchased the roofing nails. They have the big round head but are all metal.

 

[Mile High]

You can use staples to put the paper down.

I did not buy any staples (and I don't own a staple gun come to think of it).

Can I still use the roofing nails to keep the paper down?

Use a round plastic top nail. You can look them up.

I already purchased the roofing nails. They have the big round head but are all metal.

They should be OK as long as it's not windy. The paper could possibly tear away from those nails the plastic cap nails have a much larger head.