Below is every roofing problem we cover that concentrates in this era of construction. Age does not mean worse. It means a different set of failures. Pre-war construction also tends to come with galvanized supply, cast iron drains, cloth-wrapped wiring and ungrounded circuits, so it is worth knowing what else the house may need.
1Problems common at this age
2What to check before you get quotes
- Count the layers at the rakeLook at the edge of the roof on a gable end. A thick stack of shingle edges means more than one layer, and a wood edge under the asphalt means cedar underneath.
- Look at the deck from the atticBoards with gaps between them, rather than sheets of plywood, mean plank decking. Note any dark, stained or soft areas.
- Sight down the ridgeFrom the ground, a straight ridge is good. A dip means a framing assessment comes before a roofing quote.
- Look at the chimney and valleysRust streaks below the chimney and dark or patched valleys are the usual leak points on old roofs.
- Check for ventilationLook for vents in the soffit and at the ridge. Many older roofs have neither.
3What belongs in the quote
| Item | Why it matters on an old roof | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Full tear-off | Layers hide the deck and most manufacturers won’t warrant over them | Number of layers priced, including any wood shingle |
| New sheathing | Plank deck doesn’t give modern shingles continuous support | Sheathing over the planks, priced up front |
| New flashing | Original galvanized step and counter flashing corrodes through | Replacement, not reuse, at the chimney and walls |
| Valley metal | Often missing entirely on old roofs | New valley lining as a line item |
| Ventilation | Without intake and exhaust the attic cooks the new shingles | Soffit intake and ridge exhaust added during the reroof |
Talk to a roofing contractor who will check the deck, flashing and ventilation before pricing the shingles.
877-360-46574Questions
Is an old roof always worse?
No. Age does not mean worse. It means a different set of failures, and most of them are predictable if you know where to look.
Why does the quote keep growing once the old roof is off?
Because layers, plank decking and old flashing weren’t priced at the start. Ask for them to be checked and written into the quote before work begins.
Should the chimney be repaired at the same time?
Usually, yes. Masonry work is easier while the crew is already on the roof, and doing it later means disturbing new flashing.
Written by Jaylan Jones. I Like To Exterior Services earns a referral fee when a call connects to a contractor. See our business-model disclosure.
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