Reroofing a home usually means adding a layer of new roofing material over the existing roof versus tearing off the current roof and installing new shingles or tiles. Reroofing is often much more affordable than an entirely new roof, and it may be a good option for your home. If you know you need some roofing work done, note a few questions you might discuss with a contractor to see if reroofing is the best choice for you.

Does a reroof mean no debris is created?

One advantage of a reroofing versus a tear-off job is that you have far less debris that needs to be disposed off; this can mean less cost and a much cleaner, neater job. However, reroofing doesn't mean that there is no debris created and collected; in some cases, a roofer may need to pull up shingles that are curled and severely damaged. There may also be shingles that have come loose and which wouldn't provide a firm base for the reroofing material. 

Your home's roof also needs to be swept and cleaned thoroughly before any roofing work is done, and this too means dirt and debris to be collected. Your contractor should inspect your roof and note how much debris might be created, so he or she can give you an quote for disposal fees along with your overall estimate.

Won't a reroof hide damage under the materials?

Reroofing doesn't mean that a contractor simply sprays a coating of roofing material over your current shingles or installs metal over your existing roof as the job also entails a thorough inspection of your roof. This is done to note the best reroofing option and ensure that the current roofing materials will securely hold the new materials. In turn, current leaks or other damage can be detected and addressed before the reroofing work is done. 

 How do I know the home will be able to hold up the reroofing material?

Your home's roof is meant to hold up quite a bit of weight from snow, ice and the like, and any added weight the roof holds is dispersed over its length. This makes most roofs very solid, strong and able to hold more weight than just its current shingles. Note, too, that a rubber sheath or polyethylene coating used for many reroofing jobs is very lightweight. Metal is also a popular option for reroofing, and the metal used for residential roofs is also very light while being very durable.