Redecking a Roof: A Guide to Replacing Damaged Roof Decking

A quality, sturdy roof is made up of several essential parts, ranging from shingles to gutters. But there’s another critical layer beneath the shingles that heavily affects your roof’s longevity: roof decking.

If you see telltale signs of roof leaks or other damage, there’s a good chance you’ll need to replace your damaged roof decking with the help of knowledgeable residential roofing contractors.

What exactly does that include, and is it safe to handle roof redecking yourself?

What is roof decking?

Roof decking is an initial layer of wood placed atop your roof’s framing boards and beams. Think of it as the first sheet of material that goes beneath the shingles or other roofing components. Without roof decking, your roof wouldn’t be nearly as protective or insulating.

Technically, there are two types of roof decking your home might be equipped with:

• Plank roof decking: This was the primary type of roof decking used for homes before plywood was invented. These days, it’s found on older homes that have been continually refurbished.
• Sheet roof decking: Much more commonly used, sheet roof decking, or roof sheathing, uses flat plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) sheets.

In any case, your roof needs durable, high-quality decking to protect the rest of your home and resist degradation, especially from water.

Signs damaged roof decking needs to be replaced

Roof decking damage can be a little harder to detect than surface-level roof damage. A visual inspection from the ground can sometimes alert you to shingle damage, but if you don’t know what to look for, roof decking problems can be tricky to spot.

In our experience, the most common signs of damaged roof decking include:

• Dark discoloration in the ceiling of your home, which could indicate a serious leak
• Spongy wood decking or ceiling spots
• Wood rot throughout your roofing system
• Crumbling wood on your roof
• A musty or damp smell near your roof or in a particular room of your home

If you’re ever unsure whether your roof decking needs to be repaired or replaced, hire an experienced contractor like Stonewater Roofing. They can perform a comprehensive roof damage assessment and find all the issues your roof decking may have.

Steps to redecking a roof

“Redecking” a roof – which can include replacing specific sections of roof decking or completely replacing all the decking – is accomplished through a series of technical steps that should only be tackled by experts.

Roof redecking includes:

• Removing the shingles and underlayment of the damaged roof. Pry bars and other tools may be used.
• Measuring the area of rotten or damaged roof decking. This tells roofing contractors how much new material they need to produce.
• Removing the damaged wood decking. Depending on the extent of the damage, contractors might need a saw or other tools to carefully remove the decking without cutting the rafters or other roofing components.
• Cutting new decking to fit the gaps or empty spaces. For example, plywood boards may be measured and cut to be inserted in the spots where the damaged decking was removed.
• Securing the new decking over the rafters. Contractors may make adjustments or minor trims if needed to ensure that the decking fits perfectly.

Like many roofing jobs, redecking a roof can take several hours or several days based on the extent of the damage, how much repair work is needed, and whether shingles or other roofing materials are required as well.

Should you replace rotted roof decking yourself?

No, it’s never a good idea to try to redeck a roof or replace rotten decking by yourself. Roof repairs can be risky, even if you have some DIY home maintenance experience. Climbing up a ladder to work on your roof can be hazardous, particularly if there are unstable roof sections that could break or crumble.

Instead, you should hire contractors to both inspect your roof and replace damaged decking. There are two reasons for this:

• Experienced roofing contractors know what to look for and how to efficiently replace damaged decking.
• Roofing contractors also know how to determine the extent of the damage and whether it has spread to other areas of your roof. In some instances, they can catch minor damage before it becomes major.

In the long run, you’ll appreciate the results from a professional roof decking repair job much more than if you try to fix damaged decking yourself.

Are roof decking repairs included in roof replacements?

In many cases, yes!

When contractors repair roof damage or replace roofs, they often include roof decking in their work. For example, a major leak that gets through your roof’s shingles has a high likelihood of also damaging the roof decking beneath. In this scenario, both the roof decking and the shingles will need to be replaced.

However, keep in mind that your roofing contractors may not know just how much decking they need to repair or replace until after construction begins and they have torn off any damaged surface-level materials, like shingles.

Good contractors will be completely transparent about the process and make sure you know what they need to do before they begin work. You’ll have peace of mind while being aware of the work schedule, costs, and other factors.

Contact our local roof repair contractors about damaged decking today

When your roof’s decking needs to be replaced, your best bet is to get an amazing team to install a roof you can depend on that will look great for decades. It could be time to reach out to the experts.

Stonewater Roofing in Texas is just who you should trust for any and all roof repairs, replacements, and installation projects. Our experienced professional roofers are GAF Master Elite Certified, an honor that fewer than 3% of roofing contractors nationwide can claim. More importantly, we’re 100% dedicated to doing an exceptional job on your home. Get in touch today to learn more about our services or schedule a roof inspection.