When it's time for a new roof installation, your roofer will check the deck to see if it needs to be replaced too. When you think about getting a new roof, you might just think about getting new shingles, but your roof could need new underlayment, new flashing, and a new deck too. Here's why it's important to check the deck for water damage, how your roofer inspects the deck, and how a roof deck is replaced or repaired when you have new shingles installed.

Why Checking The Deck Is Important

If the deck has water damage, mold might become an issue in the future. Plus, if the wood rots, the rot might spread to the rafters and other parts of your home. Mold and rot can cause a lot of damage to a roof and your attic.

If you just put on new shingles, as might happen when you put new shingles over old ones, you might cover up deck damage, and then your new roof may not last as long as it should.

How A Roofer Checks The Deckz

The roofer will probably look in your attic to check the underside of the deck and look for water damage. If your roof is leaking, the deck is probably damaged in at least one area. The roofer looks for things like fungal growth, wet wood, rot, and discolored plywood as these are signs of water damage.

When your roofer is inspecting the roof from the top of your home, they may press on the deck to see if it's soft or spongy, as those are signs of rot and weakness. The roofer might notice the roof sagging when there's water damage to the roof.

One way to assess the condition of the deck is to remove the old shingles, underlayment, and flashing so the entire deck can be examined visually and by touch. If the deck is dry and has no damage, then the roof installation can proceed without having to do anything to the deck other than cover it with underlayment and shingles.

How A Roof Deck Is Repaired

If your roof is in fairly good shape, the entire deck probably isn't damaged, but if it is, the roofer will take off the old plywood and put on new plywood that has the thickness required by code. If the deck is just water damaged in a few places, then the damaged areas are cut out. Then new plywood is nailed to the structure of your roof and your roof is ready for the installation of the underlayment, shingles, and flashing.

When your roofer begins the roof installation, they may not know for sure how much of the deck will need to be replaced until all of the shingles are off. Decks don't always have damage, but if yours does, it's important that the roofer repair the damage so your new shingles go on a dry and solid deck.