Full tear-off
The old roofing and underlayment are removed completely so the new roof starts on clean wood.
Roof Replacement
Roof Replacement Kenilworth, NJ
A roofer in Kenilworth can replace a worn-out roof by tearing it down to the deck, repairing any soft decking and installing new underlayment, flashing, vents and roofing, usually in one to a few days for a typical house. Call (908) 613-5001 to reach a local roofer.
Most roofs reach the point of replacement through age rather than one dramatic event. As shingles age they shed granules, turn brittle and curl at the edges, so leaks begin turning up in more than one spot at a time. The type of shingle and the number of layers already on the roof both shape when, and how, a replacement happens.
What sits under the shingles matters as much as the shingles themselves. A complete replacement covers the decking, underlayment, ice barrier, drip edge, every piece of flashing, the pipe boots and the ventilation, not just the outer roofing. Skipping any of those parts is how a brand new roof ends up leaking in its first heavy rain.
It helps to write down when the roof went on, where stains have appeared and whether anyone has added a second layer. If the attic is easy to reach, check for dark, damp boards or pinholes of daylight while standing only on framing.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Kenilworth roofer may also recommend roof installation or shingle roof replacement.
Looking for Kenilworth roof replacement? Call (908) 613-5001 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Kenilworth.
Call nowThe process
How roof replacement works
A full replacement follows a set order from the deck up.
Start with an assessment
An assessment covers the shingles, flashing, vents and the decking seen from the attic, along with measurements of each roof plane. A written scope spells out the roofing, underlayment, flashing and vents, and the contractor usually files the reroof permit.
Strip to the deck
The crew protects landscaping and siding, then strips every layer of shingles, underlayment and old flashing down to the wood. Only as much is torn off in a day as can be dried in by evening.
Check the sheathing
Any soft, cracked or water-stained sheathing is cut out and replaced, and loose boards are renailed.
Lay the new roofing
The new layers go on in order: drip edge, ice barrier, underlayment, starter course, step and counter flashing, vents and then the shingles or panels. Nailing to the shingle maker's pattern and balancing ridge exhaust with soffit intake are what make the roof last.
Walk the finished job
Old roofing is hauled away and the property is swept with magnets for stray nails. Walk the job with the crew lead before they leave.
What is included
What gets replaced
Underlayment
Synthetic underlayment covers the deck, with ice and water shield at the eaves and valleys if wind ever lifts a shingle.
Sheathing replacement
Damaged sheathing is cut out and new panels go in before anything new is nailed down.
Ventilation
Attic vents are replaced and sized for the attic so the attic stays dry in winter and cooler in summer.
New flashing
Flashing at walls, chimneys, skylights and vents is replaced with new metal instead of being caulked and reused.
Related service
Reroofing Kenilworth, NJ
Reroofing is the general term for putting a new roof on an existing house, whether that means a full tear-off or, in limited cases, a single overlay. Building codes generally allow at most two layers of asphalt shingles, and an overlay is only an option when the existing roof is flat, dry and has a sound deck. For most homes, a full tear-off is the better reroof because it exposes the deck and lets every piece of flashing be replaced.
When you talk with a Kenilworth roofer about reroofing, ask how many layers are on the house now and how they will confirm it. Make sure the scope lists the underlayment, the ice barrier, the drip edge and the vent work, not just the shingles.
Related service
Roof Tear Off Kenilworth, NJ
A roof tear-off removes every layer of old roofing, underlayment and flashing down to the decking. The debris goes straight into a dumpster or dump trailer parked close to the house, with tarps protecting plants, decks and siding below.
The real value of a tear-off is what it reveals. Old leaks show up as dark, soft or delaminated sheathing that gets replaced before anything new goes down.
Related service
Roof Decking Replacement Kenilworth, NJ
Roof decking, also called sheathing, is the layer of plywood, OSB or plank boards that everything else is nailed to. Years of small leaks or a damp attic can rot sheathing or make OSB swell and lose strength.
Damaged sheets are cut out between rafters and replaced with new panels of the same thickness, and older plank decks with wide gaps are sometimes covered with new sheathing. Since nobody knows exactly how much bad wood is under a roof until it is torn off, ask how deck replacement will be priced in the contract.
Local help
Roof Replacement Near Me
In Kenilworth, replacement requests come from older homes and newer ones alike: older homes that may still carry two layers of shingles or plank decking, and newer ones whose first roof is simply reaching the end of its life. From Kenilworth out to nearby towns like Roselle Park, Union, Cranford and Roselle, roofers see the same pattern: replacing a roof before the deck rots keeps the job simpler, and a roofer can tell you whether you have a few years left or should plan the work now.
Searching for roof replacement near me from Kenilworth or Roselle Park, Union, Cranford and Roselle? Call (908) 613-5001 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
Roofs in this climate
Cold winters bring snow, ice and a long stretch of freezing nights. Heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the water refreezes at the colder eaves, building ice dams that push water up under the shingles. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. Most homeowners in Kenilworth, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why not wait
Drier ceilings
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Roofers in Kenilworth know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Know what happens next
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Roof Replacement questions
What time of year is best for roof replacement?
Spring through fall offers the easiest working conditions in most places. Shingle sealant strips bond best in warm sun, so very cold days call for extra steps. A roof that is actively leaking should not wait for perfect weather, since temporary repairs or a tarp can hold until the job starts.
Is it okay to put new shingles over old shingles?
Code usually limits shingle roofs to two layers total. The trade-off is that nobody can inspect or repair the decking under the old roof.
Should I stay home while my roof is being replaced?
Being home is optional, though you should be available by phone. Questions sometimes come up mid-job, such as how to handle rotted wood or a hidden vent.
Should I repair my roof or replace it?
That depends on whether the damage is isolated or the roofing is worn out everywhere. A few missing shingles, a cracked pipe boot or a flashing leak can be repaired. Curling, granule loss on most slopes, repeated leaks or two existing layers usually point to replacement.
How many days does it take to replace a roof?
For most single-family homes, the crew is on site for one to three days. Larger roofs, steep pitches and extensive deck repair add time.
More questions? Call (908) 613-5001
Other services that may help
Roof Installation
Installing a new roof layer by layer, from drip edge and underlayment to flashing, vents and the finished roofing, so it sheds water at every edge and seam.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Tearing off a worn shingle roof down to the decking and putting on a new one, so the new roof starts on a sound, dry deck.
Learn moreMetal Roof Replacement
Full metal roof replacement, panel replacement and metal re-covers over existing roofs, chosen to fit the building and the old roof underneath.
Learn moreRoof Insurance Claims
Help documenting hail and wind damage and meeting the insurance adjuster on the roof, from the first inspection to the repair.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesNeed roof replacement in Kenilworth, NJ?
Call (908) 613-5001 to talk to a roofer serving Kenilworth, NJ.