The IRC requires only one layer of asphalt shingles in areas subject to moderate or severe hail damage (over 1.5″.) I live in one such area although this requirement per the IRC is countywide and our city’s experience is quite a bit less than other areas in the county.
I am planning on having a discussion about this topic with our city building department but wondered if anyone else had successfully appealed this requirement.
Political and environmental concerns aside, there are Class-IV impact shingles that are not addressed in the IRC.
Thanks.
Replies
Am I reading this right - that you want to install a new layer of shingles over existing worn out shingles, and the inspectors won't allow it?
You are correct, sir. This is per the 2006 IRC. Thanks
"there are Class-IV impact shingles that are not addressed in the IRC."
That might be true, but I'm betting the install guide for them does not recommend applying over old shingles, but says must be installed over a smooth firm surface.
Reason being, that when you overlay a roof, it creates voids between the new and old, which do not support the new roof solidly, so a hail impact can drive thru the new at that point, fracturing it.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Yes, in some ways that makes sense. But...if the hail were to get a little bigger it might damage the sheathing as well and in that case I would rather have another layer of cushion to absorb the impact.
Actually the manufacturer doesn't specify the installation procedure, but I am sure if I filed a claim for a few shingles they would point it out somewhere in the fine print.
But for me the bottom line is that the IRC should not be prescribing a building technique which purpose is other than protecting "health, safety, or welfare" and to me this doesn't meet that standard.
Thanks
"Actually the manufacturer doesn't specify the installation procedure,"Baloney!
You just haven't found it yet, or haven't read very thoroughly. Name the product and we'll find it for you.If your main purpose is to pick on the IRC, you can have plenty of slaps on the back, and maybe around of drinks poured in your name, but meanwhile, it is what it is, and you are wasting time to fight city hall on that one.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Well, I will keep you posted on how I do.
If your gonna put a high quality shingle don't re-cover. The bottom layer will deterioate before the top and cause problems. All it does anyway is push labor costs down the road, and they will be higher later on.
If you want to do this use cheap shingles.
Right, why waste good shingles on a poor installation?I think he seems more interested in finding ammo to fight the powers that be than he is in getting good advice from experienced roofers tho.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
You are being a bit too opinionated.
This country was founded on freedom. Nobody should be telling anyone how many layers of shingles should be laid because hail might poke holes in it. If the city is going to use the argument that too much weight can collapse a roof structure, I'd somewhat agree.
I don't see where any authorities should have the right to tell a homeowner he can't lay two layers of shingles though. It is just overstepping their bounds. That seems to be the norm today with most govermental authorities.
I obviously completely agree with your views. And yes, it will "push off" the cost of the removal into the future, but at the moment that works for me.
My main "logical" argument with the authorities is that our city has only experienced the "required" hail storms 2 times in the last 60 years. I am therefore going to argue that the CBO can waive that requirement.
What is it I'm too opinionated about, Jim?
Whether the OP cares about this and/or that
or about something in the codes?I'm going to yank your chain right back again because you are expressing a strong opinion too and because you misunderstood mine and you misunderstand the reason why codes regulate how many layers of roofing can be applied.The reason for codes limiting number of plies is for safety and some for property values.
Over load a roof with too much weight and you can have failure.
When I lived in Texas, three plies was the max number allowed for that reason. Apparently trhey have found a reason to hange it.But between you and me, I think limiting it tighter is pretty rediculous.
My negative comments that you misconstrued were relative to the fact that I simpy think it is what it is and not worth wasting time and money to fight over. There are positive benefits to stripping and only having one layer, so why cry that you are being required to do it right. I'd sooner complain about the weather. I have as much change oif changing it as forcing a change at city hall. So with either, I live within what the facts is.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I allowed for the safety (no overloading) angle in my statement. After that, I don't see how any municipality should dare to try to tell someone that they can't put two layers of shingles on.
I wouldn't fight it at city hall. I'd just start laying them and then see how it all shakes out. I wouldn't mind my day in court on that issue.
Not that it's impossible, but I've never seen hail damage to roof sheeting and I've lived where big hail happens ( our town seems to lose its roofing about every 12-15 years due to large hail )