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Sheathing is an important element in supporting your home’s roof structure and subsequently, the building’s walls as well. With the old shingles removed, a contractor can inspect sheathing for damage, rot, or failing fasteners. If any of these are present, it’s best to replace the sheathing.
How do I know if my roof sheathing is bad?
If the roofline is in any way wavy, then it means your sheathing is damaged and needs to be replaced. You can also check for sagging from the inside. Go into your attic with a flashlight, and look up. If any areas of the roof appear closer to you than others, your roof is sagging, and it is time to call a professional.
How long does roof sheathing last?
You can expect the wood roof sheathing of a home to last 100+ years. Although it should last for the life of the home, roof sheathing lifespan can be shortened by moisture penetrating it from both above and below.
How do I know if my plywood is bad on my roof?
Bowing or bulging: Moisture and wood rot may cause your decking to sink in or swell up. From the outside, this looks like you have a bulging or bowing spot on your roof. The shingles above this spot may not function properly. Further, the decking can eventually fall in.
Do I need to replace the plywood on my roof?
If you are getting a new roof, while you may not necessarily need to have the plywood decking replaced, you should have it carefully inspected by a qualified roofing contractor. When considering a contractor for your project, be sure to address the subject of plywood replacement, and what the cost per plank will be.
Can you put new roof sheathing over old?
Although I don’t think installing new plywood roof sheathing over the old would be a grave mistake, I would not recommend doing it, for several reasons. The new plywood will have to be nailed to the rafters or roof trusses. The result could be a poorly attached roof surface, more vulnerable to wind damage.
What are some common problems with roof sheathing?
Wood sheathing will eventually rot as excess moisture continually collects on it and the material is unable to properly dry out. Some signs that roof sheathing is damaged or rotted include a sagging ceiling, noticeable roof leaks and missing patches of roof shingles or tiles.
Is roof sheathing necessary?
Roof sheathing is important as it is a layer of wood and as mentioned above, it attaches to the trusses and joists on the roof. Then the shingles attach to the planks of wood. This keeps the water out of the home so it is a necessary part of the home.
When should I Redeck my roof?
If you are having your roof changed from wooden shakes or shingles to asphalt shingles, you will need to redeck over the old decking to bring your home up to code.
Can plywood last forever?
Plywood products are all engineered wood products. For instance, pressure treated plywood has a life expectancy of about 20 years; but this is with constant exposure to water, such as being left out in the rain. On the other hand, MRF and OSB have an expected life of around ranging from under 30 up to 60 years.
How much does it cost to replace plywood on a roof?
The thicker the plywood your roofer uses, the more expensive the job will be. Your price could vary depending on how much the roofing company charges for labor, but generally, you can expect to spend between $70 to $100 for each sheet of plywood.
What is the best sheathing for a roof?
OSB is now the most-used sheathing and subflooring material for new roofs and roof replacements.
When did they start using plywood on roofs?
And as the courts decide who is responsible, developers have spent millions replacing defective roofs and homeowners have begun organizing to demand reimbursement. The plywood was introduced after fire codes were changed in the early 1980’s, just in time for the long nationwide building boom.
How long do a roof last on a house?
Your asphalt roof is about 20 years old For a standard 3-tab asphalt shingle roof, that’s 25-years. As long as your roof has been properly ventilated and installed you should get pretty close to that 25 years of roof life.
What is the minimum thickness of roof sheathing?
Sheathing must be a minimum of 19/32-inch thick. Never affix roof sheathing with staples; 8d ring-shank nails need to be used instead. The normal thickness range for sheathing is 3/8 to 3/4 inch.
Why is my roof sheathing wet?
When it hits cold surfaces like roof nails, it condenses. As the attic gets colder, frost will accumulate on other materials, such as the roof sheathing and even the roof vents themselves. Frost itself doesn’t do any damage, but once it melts, things get wet, and then damage occurs.
Can you put sheathing over shingles?
Your new roof is going to be composition shingles that need solid sheathing. Yes, it is quite common to add solid sheathing over the top of the spaced sheathing. The added weight will be off-set by removing the heavier existing tile roofing and the heavier wood shingles and shakes (when they are soaked with water).
