What's Under Your Roof Matters

When you’re getting estimates for a new roof, most of the conversation naturally revolves around the things you can see, including the shingles, color, style and, of course, the final price.

There is another part of your roof that deserves just as much attention, even though you will probably never see it once the job is finished: the plywood underneath.

The plywood, also called roof decking or sheathing, is essentially the foundation of your roofing system. The underlayment and shingles are installed over it, so the decking needs to be solid, dry and structurally sound enough to properly support the new roof. The tricky part is that we often do not know exactly what condition that plywood is in until the old roof comes off.

A roof can look relatively normal from the outside while hiding deteriorated plywood underneath. Years of small leaks, condensation, poor ventilation, or moisture intrusion can leave sections of the decking soft, rotten, moldy or otherwise compromised. Once the old shingles and underlayment are removed, the roofing crew finally gets a good look at what has been happening underneath.

Does that mean every roof replacement needs all-new plywood? Not necessarily. If the existing decking is dry, solid, properly installed, and in good condition, there may be no reason to replace it. However, if portions have deteriorated, replacing those sections is an important part of doing the roof correctly.

This is also one of the areas where homeowners can get caught off guard by cost. Plywood is expensive, and depending on how much needs to be replaced, it can add a noticeable amount to the final bill. When you are already making a major investment in a new roof, it is understandable to wonder whether the old plywood can simply stay in place.

Putting brand-new roofing materials over deteriorated decking is a little like installing beautiful new hardwood floors over a damaged subfloor. You may save money that day, but you have not solved the underlying problem.

Weak or damaged decking may not hold roofing fasteners as securely as sound material. It can also contribute to uneven or sagging areas and leave the roofing system more vulnerable to problems in the future. Most importantly, you are installing a product designed to last for decades over a foundation that may already be deteriorating.

There is also the issue of the manufacturer’s warranty. Roofing manufacturers generally require shingles to be installed according to their specifications and over an appropriate, sound roof deck. Installing shingles over compromised or improperly prepared decking can potentially affect warranty coverage. The exact requirements vary by manufacturer and product, which is another reason the condition of the decking should be addressed during installation rather than ignored.

I always encourage homeowners to look beyond the big number at the bottom of a roofing estimate and review what is actually included. Ask your contractor what the estimate says about plywood or roof decking, whether any replacement is included and what the additional cost will be if deteriorated sections are discovered after the old roof is removed.

This is especially important when comparing estimates from different contractors. One contractor may appear considerably less expensive than another, but the two estimates may not include the same scope of work. If one accounts for replacing damaged decking and another barely mentions it, the lower price may not tell the whole story.

Nobody likes unexpected costs during a home improvement project, and contractors do not particularly enjoy delivering that news either. However, when we uncover rotten or deteriorated plywood, replacing what needs to be replaced is usually money better spent than covering up the problem and hoping for the best.

A new roof is a significant investment in your home, and ideally, you should be able to install it and not worry about it again for a very long time. When the old shingles come off, homeowners should understand what is underneath, review the condition of the decking with their contractor and know how any necessary replacement will affect the project.

Saving money is always worthwhile, but cutting a corner that could compromise the life of your new roof rarely is.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Have a question? Email info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” For your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for general guidance only.

When you’re getting estimates for a new roof, most of the conversation naturally revolves around the things you can see, including the shingles, color, style and, of course, the final price.

There is another part of your roof that deserves just as much attention, even though you will probably never see it once the job is finished: the plywood underneath.

The plywood, also called roof decking or sheathing, is essentially the foundation of your roofing system. The underlayment and shingles are installed over it, so the decking needs to be solid, dry and structurally sound enough to properly support the new roof. The tricky part is that we often do not know exactly what condition that plywood is in until the old roof comes off.

A roof can look relatively normal from the outside while hiding deteriorated plywood underneath. Years of small leaks, condensation, poor ventilation, or moisture intrusion can leave sections of the decking soft, rotten, moldy or otherwise compromised. Once the old shingles and underlayment are removed, the roofing crew finally gets a good look at what has been happening underneath.

Does that mean every roof replacement needs all-new plywood? Not necessarily. If the existing decking is dry, solid, properly installed, and in good condition, there may be no reason to replace it. However, if portions have deteriorated, replacing those sections is an important part of doing the roof correctly.

This is also one of the areas where homeowners can get caught off guard by cost. Plywood is expensive, and depending on how much needs to be replaced, it can add a noticeable amount to the final bill. When you are already making a major investment in a new roof, it is understandable to wonder whether the old plywood can simply stay in place.

Putting brand-new roofing materials over deteriorated decking is a little like installing beautiful new hardwood floors over a damaged subfloor. You may save money that day, but you have not solved the underlying problem.

Weak or damaged decking may not hold roofing fasteners as securely as sound material. It can also contribute to uneven or sagging areas and leave the roofing system more vulnerable to problems in the future. Most importantly, you are installing a product designed to last for decades over a foundation that may already be deteriorating.

There is also the issue of the manufacturer’s warranty. Roofing manufacturers generally require shingles to be installed according to their specifications and over an appropriate, sound roof deck. Installing shingles over compromised or improperly prepared decking can potentially affect warranty coverage. The exact requirements vary by manufacturer and product, which is another reason the condition of the decking should be addressed during installation rather than ignored.

I always encourage homeowners to look beyond the big number at the bottom of a roofing estimate and review what is actually included. Ask your contractor what the estimate says about plywood or roof decking, whether any replacement is included and what the additional cost will be if deteriorated sections are discovered after the old roof is removed.

This is especially important when comparing estimates from different contractors. One contractor may appear considerably less expensive than another, but the two estimates may not include the same scope of work. If one accounts for replacing damaged decking and another barely mentions it, the lower price may not tell the whole story.

Nobody likes unexpected costs during a home improvement project, and contractors do not particularly enjoy delivering that news either. However, when we uncover rotten or deteriorated plywood, replacing what needs to be replaced is usually money better spent than covering up the problem and hoping for the best.

A new roof is a significant investment in your home, and ideally, you should be able to install it and not worry about it again for a very long time. When the old shingles come off, homeowners should understand what is underneath, review the condition of the decking with their contractor and know how any necessary replacement will affect the project.

Saving money is always worthwhile, but cutting a corner that could compromise the life of your new roof rarely is.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Have a question? Email info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” For your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for general guidance only.

Pest-Proofing the Attic Before Cooler Weather Comes

There are certain signs of fall we all look forward to: cooler nights, the first leaves changing, apple cider, and football on the weekends. And then there are the signs you’d rather not encounter, like scratching, scurrying or thumping coming from somewhere above your ceiling.

Once the weather starts getting colder, we’re not the only ones thinking about staying warm. Mice, squirrels, bats and other critters start looking for protected places to spend the colder months, and a warm, dry attic can be pretty appealing.

I’m certainly not an exterminator, but as a roofer, I spend a fair amount of time in attics. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the mess animals can make once they get inside. They can tear up and nest in insulation, chew on wood and wiring, leave behind droppings, and create some pretty unpleasant odors. Squirrels and other animals can also damage vents, soffits and other parts of the roof while getting in and out. A small entry point can eventually turn into a much bigger home repair. That’s why this is a good time of year to do a little prevention.

Start outside, but don’t expect to find every tiny opening an animal could squeeze through. From the ground, you’re really looking for the more obvious trouble spots: damaged or missing soffit, loose fascia, broken vent covers, damaged siding or anything along the roofline that looks like it has shifted or deteriorated.

Tree branches are worth a look, too. If they’re hanging directly over or touching your roof, they can give squirrels and other animals a pretty convenient route onto the house.

Then, if you can safely access your attic, take a look around inside. One of the easiest things to spot is daylight coming through somewhere it shouldn’t. You can also look for disturbed insulation, droppings, nesting materials, or evidence that something has been chewing. Pay attention to the areas around vents, pipes, wiring and other places where something passes through the roof or an exterior wall.

Your garage and basement deserve a look as well. Check weatherstripping around doors and look around pipes, cables and utility lines for gaps.

The important thing to remember is that animals don’t need a wide-open door. Some can get through surprisingly small spaces. So you’re probably not going to walk around your yard and identify every possible mouse-sized opening in your house. The goal is to find damaged or vulnerable areas and take care of them before something else takes advantage.

Some fixes are simple DIY projects. Replace worn weatherstripping. Secure a loose vent cover. Keep garage doors closed when you aren’t using them. Store firewood away from the house, clean up spilled birdseed, and avoid leaving pet food outside overnight.

Other repairs, particularly anything involving the roof, high soffits or fascia,  are better left to someone who can safely reach them and knows what they’re looking at.

If you already suspect you have an animal living in the attic, that’s when I’d call a wildlife or pest professional rather than simply plugging the hole. You don’t want to trap an animal inside, and you definitely don’t want to seal young animals inside while their mother is outside.

Remember, once we get our first stretch of genuinely cold weather, animal professionals get a whole lot busier. If you’ve been hearing noises or seeing signs that something has moved in, or you’ve had problems in the past, don’t wait until November to deal with it.

Fall home maintenance is mostly about staying one step ahead of winter. Clean the gutters. Check the roof. Put away the hoses. And while you’re at it, make sure you’re not unknowingly offering free winter accommodations to the neighborhood wildlife.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Have a question? Email info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” For your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for general guidance only.

Storm Damage? Do Your Homework Before You Hire a Roofer

I was driving through town the other day behind a roofing truck with a company name I had never heard of before. Then I noticed the license plate and the phone number, both from nearly a thousand miles away in the Midwest. That’s a pretty long commute to Connecticut, and it’s not the first one I’ve seen this summer.

After a stretch of severe weather, it’s common to see an influx of contractors from outside the area. In the roofing business, they’re often called “storm chasers.” They follow damaging storms from one area to the next, looking for neighborhoods where homeowners may need roof repairs or replacements.

And to be fair, being from out of state doesn’t automatically make someone a bad contractor. There are good contractors and bad contractors everywhere. But when someone knocks on your door after a storm offering to inspect your roof, especially if they’re promising a very low price or telling you that you need to act immediately, it’s worth slowing down and doing a little homework.

Your roof is too important, and too expensive, to make a decision based solely on who can get there first or give you the lowest estimate.

Why does hiring local matter?

One of the biggest reasons is simple: we’re still here when the job is over and for years after that.

A roof is designed to last for decades, and even a properly installed roof can occasionally have an issue. Maybe you notice a leak during the next big rainstorm. Maybe flashing needs to be adjusted. Maybe you have a question about your warranty a year from now. You want to know who you’re calling and that you can get in touch with them.

A reputable local contractor has a business and a reputation in the community to protect. We run into our customers at the grocery store, at restaurants, and at our kids’ and grandkids' swim meets and music concerts. If something goes wrong, we can’t just pack up and head to the next storm. That kind of accountability matters, especially when you’re in business in the same town for decades.

Is the lowest roofing estimate a good deal?

If I were a homeowner, I’d want to understand why an estimate is much lower. Roofing estimates can vary because contractors are using different materials, installation methods, warranties or even different interpretations of what needs to be replaced. A substantially lower price doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting the same roof for less money.

Ask what’s included. What shingles are being installed? What about underlayment, flashing, ventilation and cleanup? Who is actually doing the work? Is the contractor licensed and properly insured? What warranties come with the job, and who handles a warranty issue later?

You don’t need to become a roofing expert. You just need to ask enough questions to understand what you’re buying.

How can I check a contractor’s reputation?

This is one area where the internet has made life considerably easier.

Look at reviews, but don’t stop at the star rating. See how long the company has been receiving reviews in your area. Look at their website and physical address. Ask your neighbors, the local chamber of commerce, even your town Facebook group. Check whether they’ve been doing business locally for years or whether their presence appeared shortly after the last hailstorm.

And ask for references. A reputable contractor should be able to point you toward plenty of local homes where they’ve done similar work recently and for some time.

I’d also be cautious about anyone using high-pressure tactics. Storm damage can feel urgent, but unless your home is actively taking on water or there’s an immediate safety issue, you generally have time to get another opinion and compare estimates.

We’ve had plenty of wild weather in Connecticut this summer, and unfortunately, that means there are plenty of roofs that legitimately need repairs. Just remember that you’re not only choosing a roof. You’re choosing the company standing behind it.

A good price matters, but good workmanship matters more, and knowing who will answer the phone if you need help later is worth quite a bit, too.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Have a question? Email info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” For your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for general guidance only.