Your Local Roofing Experts Since 1997! FREE INSPECTIONS!
Your Local Roofing Experts Since 1997! FREE INSPECTIONS!
Sometimes, a roof collapse can happen during severe snowstorms. This can be caused by the excess weight of the snow on your roof. Also, if snow melts too quickly, it can cause even more damage to your home’s interiors. The melted snow can also cause flooding in your basement and compromise your septic system. All this can happen consecutively, but will your insurance cover all of it?
What It Usually Cover
Most homeowners insurance covers direct roofing damage from severe winter weather, but you’ll need to contain the damage as soon as your roof collapses. You’ll also need to move your exposed furniture and other stuff away from the exposed area or cover them with a tarp to mitigate damage. The exact details of what the insurance covers will vary for each homeowner, but yours should also cover wind damage during a blizzard or displacement due to a major power outage. To prevent possible disputes when filing for storm damage repair, it’s important to present records proving that you’ve maintained your roof regularly as well as take pictures and videos of the damage as part of the claim.
What It Won’t Cover
Your insurance agent won’t take roof collapses at face value depending on its condition prior to the collapse. The company will more likely pay a depreciated amount of the damage or deny your claim completely if your roof was already old to begin with and needed replacement before it collapsed. Your standard homeowners insurance policy also won’t cover consecutive damages done by the snow when it melts quickly and floods your home.
As one of the most reputable roofing companies in the area, Rapid Roofing & Restoration always gets the job done! Call us today at (812) 837-9654, or fill out our convenient contact form.
When it comes to protecting your home, your roof does more heavy lifting than almost any other part of your property. So when signs of wear and tear show up, homeowners often look for budget-friendly solutions. One of the most common shortcuts is adding a second (or even third) layer of shingles instead of fully removing the old roof. While it may seem cheaper or quicker in the moment, multiple layers of shingles can create long-term problems that cost more in the end. At Rapid Roofing & Restoration, we always want our customers to understand why we recommend a full tear-off. Here’s what you need to know.
Shingles are heavy—very heavy. One layer of asphalt shingles already puts thousands of pounds of weight on your roof. Add another layer and the load can exceed what your roof structure was designed to handle. Over time, this added weight can:
Even small areas of sagging can reduce roof life and become a hazard.
Hidden Problems Stay Hidden
When you place new shingles over old ones, you’re essentially covering up whatever issues already exist beneath the surface.
A tear-off lets us find and repair:
When the old roof stays in place, these problems continue to spread, and you won’t see them until they become much more serious (and expensive).
Poor Surface = Poor Installation
Shingles are designed to lie flat. When installers put shingles over a roof that’s already layered, the surface is uneven and lumpy. That can create:
This means your “new roof” won’t perform like a truly new one at all.
Many manufacturers prefer or even require installation on a clean deck to ensure their warranty stays valid. Layering over old shingles can:
A tear-off ensures you get the full lifespan and protection your investment deserves.
Extra shingle layers make it harder for heat to escape your attic. This can lead to:
In many areas—including much of Indiana—building codes limit the number of shingle layers to two maximum, and some local codes or insurance requirements no longer allow layering at all. During inspections and home sales, multiple layers can become a red flag. The Bottom Line: Tear-Off Is the Better, Safer Investment Although adding another layer can save money upfront, it often leads to:
A full tear-off allows Rapid Roofing & Restoration to replace damaged decking, install proper underlayments, and give you a roof that performs the way it should—strong, protective, and built to last. If you aren’t sure how many layers your home currently has, or you’re considering a roof replacement, we’re happy to take a look and give you an honest recommendation.