Full tear-off
The old roofing and underlayment are removed completely which lets the crew see the decking.
Roof Replacement
Roof Replacement Fairfield, NJ
A Fairfield roofing contractor can replace a roof that is too old or too damaged to patch, starting with a full tear-off and a check of the decking, and the inspection beforehand tells you whether replacement is really needed. One call to (973) 858-9960 reaches a nearby roofing contractor.
A roof usually needs replacing when the roofing itself is worn out, not when one spot leaks. Old shingles go bald, brittle and cupped, and once that happens across most of the roof, each repair just moves the next leak somewhere else. The type of shingle and the number of layers already on the roof both shape when, and how, a replacement happens.
A new roof is really a system, and the shingles are the last layer of it. Underneath are the deck boards or sheathing, the underlayment, ice and water shield at the eaves and valleys, metal drip edge, flashing at every wall and chimney, pipe boots and the vents that let the attic breathe. Skipping any of those parts is how a brand new roof ends up leaking in its first heavy rain.
Before you call, try to find out roughly how old the roof is, whether it has been overlaid before and where any leaks have shown up. If the attic is easy to reach, check for dark, damp boards or pinholes of daylight while standing only on framing.
Many roof replacement calls in Fairfield also turn up a need for roof installation or shingle roof replacement.
Dealing with this in Fairfield, NJ right now? Call (973) 858-9960 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a roof replacement
A full replacement follows a set order from the deck up.
Inspect the roof
The visit includes a look at the roof surface, the attic side of the deck and the flashing, plus measurements for materials. You should come away with a written scope that lists materials, layers to remove and who pulls the building permit most towns require.
Remove the old layers
Old shingles, felt and worn flashing are removed slope by slope so the deck is never left open for long. Good crews open only what they can cover again before they leave.
Repair the decking
Bare decking shows exactly where water got in, and damaged sections are swapped for new sheathing.
Install the new roof
Drip edge goes on at the eaves, ice and water shield in the valleys and along the eaves, then synthetic underlayment, starter strip, new flashing, pipe boots and finally the roofing. Nailing to the shingle maker's pattern and balancing ridge exhaust with soffit intake are what make the roof last.
Final cleanup
Old roofing is hauled away and the property is swept with magnets for stray nails. If a permit was pulled, the final inspection happens around this point.
What is included
What a roof replacement includes
Ventilation
Ridge vents, box vents or other exhaust are installed and matched to the soffit intake so the attic stays dry in winter and cooler in summer.
New flashing
Worn flashing and cracked pipe boots are replaced rather than reused at every place the roof meets something.
Deck repair
Soft or rotted plywood, OSB or plank boards are replaced before anything new is nailed down.
Ice barrier
New underlayment goes over the whole roof and self-sealing ice barrier goes where water collects as a second line of defense.
Related service
Reroofing Fairfield, 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. A tear-off costs more labor, but it is the only way to see and fix what is under the old roof.
A Fairfield reroofing quote should state plainly whether the plan is a tear-off or an overlay. Also ask whether the new roof will get ice and water shield, new drip edge and new pipe boots, since those are easy places to cut corners.
Related service
Roof Tear Off Fairfield, NJ
Tearing off a roof means scraping away the shingles, felt and nails until only the sheathing is left. Old material is dropped into a dumpster or trailer while tarps and plywood guard the yard, windows and air conditioning unit.
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 Fairfield, NJ
Under every roof is a deck of plywood, OSB or spaced boards that holds the nails and carries the load. 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. Because the extent of the damage is unknown before tear-off, the contract should explain how extra sheets are counted.
Local help
Roof Replacement Near Me
In Fairfield, replacement requests come from older homes and newer ones alike: worn three-tab roofs on older houses and architectural shingle roofs that took a beating from wind or hail. For homeowners in Fairfield and nearby places including Pine Brook, Lincoln Park, Caldwell and Towaco, getting the old roof off before leaks reach the wood saves the biggest headaches, so it pays to have an aging roof looked at before it starts leaking in several places.
Searching for roof replacement near me from Fairfield or Pine Brook, Lincoln Park, Caldwell and Towaco? Call (973) 858-9960 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
What the local climate does to a roof
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, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. Most homeowners in Fairfield, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why fix it now
Drier ceilings
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Fairfield and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Common questions about roof replacement
What time of year is best for roof replacement?
Spring through fall offers the easiest working conditions in most places. Cold weather makes shingles brittle and slows the sealing process. When leaks are already happening, plan the work as soon as a good weather window opens.
Should I stay home while my roof is being replaced?
You do not have to be there the whole time, but it helps to be reachable. The roofer may need to ask about decking repairs or an unexpected issue once the old roof is off.
How do I know if I need a new roof or just a repair?
It comes down to whether the problem is in one spot or across the whole roof. A few missing shingles, a cracked pipe boot or a flashing leak can be repaired. When shingles are brittle and bald everywhere, or leaks keep moving around, replacement is the better investment.
Is it okay to put new shingles over old shingles?
Building codes generally allow at most two layers of asphalt shingles, so an overlay is only possible on a roof with one layer and a sound deck. It also means reusing or working around the old flashing, which is where many leaks start.
How long does a roof replacement take?
A typical house takes one to three working days. Weather, the size of the crew and how much rot turns up all affect the schedule.
More questions? Call (973) 858-9960
Other services that may help
Roof Installation
New roof installation done in the right order with the right details, whether it is asphalt shingles, metal or another material.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Tearing off a worn shingle roof down to the decking and putting on a new one, with soft decking fixed before anything new goes on.
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
A roofer's inspection, notes and repair scope to support a roof insurance claim, while the adjuster and your policy decide what is covered.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesGet roof replacement help in Fairfield
Call (973) 858-9960 to talk to a roofer serving Fairfield, NJ.