Full tear-off and replacement
The whole covering is removed to the decking, and the roof is rebuilt with new underlayment, flashing and covering. Used where the covering is worn across most of the roof.
Serving Nassau County
Roof Replacement in Hempstead, NY
A full replacement of the roof covering, with the decking, underlayment and flashing checked first and a written scope agreed before any tear-off starts.
- Nor'easter and storm damage
- Nassau County roofs
- Roof repair and replacement
Get a fast quote
Fastest: call (833) 751-2102. Or send this and we call you back.
Replacement
Roof Replacement: what it covers
Quick answer
A roof replacement in Hempstead is planned from the decking up. The roofer checks the boards, the underlayment and the flashing before the new covering is chosen, and the scope is written down before the old roof is removed. Nassau County licenses the home-improvement business that does the work, and that licence is checked before the job begins.
A roof replacement is the decision that many homeowners in Nassau County face after a storm or after years of patching. The question is usually whether the whole covering needs to come off, and the answer depends on what is under it. A roof that looks worn may have sound decking, and a roof that looks sound may have soft boards that need replacing before any new covering can be fixed on top.
Hempstead Roofing takes replacement enquiries from Hempstead and the communities across Nassau County. The area's housing ranges from the post-war houses of Levittown, built from the late 1940s, to older village homes with different roof forms. Each roof has to be assessed on its own, and the replacement is planned around what the roofer finds.
A good replacement is a scoped job. The roofer states what will be removed, what decking will be replaced, what underlayment and flashing will be installed and what the cleanup involves. The homeowner receives that scope in writing before the work starts, so there are no surprises on the roof.
- Service area
- Hempstead & Nassau County
- Availability
- Phones answered 24/7
- Phone
- (833) 751-2102
Warning signs
Signs you need roof replacement
A tear-off is heavy, dangerous work. Keep children and pets clear of the work area, stay off the roof when the crew is working, and do not start a tear-off yourself. Make sure the crew has fall protection and a safe way to get on and off the roof.
- Shingles that are brittle, cracked or missing across most of a slope rather than in one spot
- Granules that have worn away, leaving the mat exposed in patches
- Repairs that have been made several times in the same area, with new patches beside old ones
- Daylight visible through the roof boards in the attic, or dark stained decking
- A roof that has lost its shape, with dips or ridges that were not there before
- Repeated leaks from different places after storms, which points to the covering reaching the end of its life
Our process
How our roof replacement visit works
Assess the roof and the decking
The roofer checks the covering, the flashing and the decking from the roof and the attic. Soft or dark boards are marked, and the extent of any decking damage is recorded before a scope is written.
Write the scope and agree it
The scope states what will be removed, what decking will be replaced, which underlayment and flashing will be installed, the ventilation to be checked and the cleanup. The homeowner signs the agreed scope before the work begins.
Remove, repair the deck and install
The old covering is removed, the soft decking is replaced, the underlayment and flashing are installed and the new covering is laid. Each stage is checked before the next starts.
Clean up and close out
Debris is removed from the property, the gutters and the landscaping are checked, and the homeowner receives a written note of the work, the materials in general terms and the next check due.
Why check the decking before deciding on a new covering?
Because a new covering laid over soft boards will not last, and the decking is the base the whole roof depends on. The decking decides whether a repair or a replacement is the right answer.
The decking is the layer of boards that the underlayment and the covering are fixed to. It carries the weight of the roof and holds the nails. Boards that have been wet for a long time soften, and a nail that is driven into them will not hold. A new covering on soft boards can fail early, and the failure often shows up as a leak in the first heavy storm.
The roofer checks the decking from the attic and from the roof, pressing on the boards and looking for dark stains, soft spots and gaps. The soft boards are marked and counted, and the replacement is included in the scope so the homeowner knows what the decking work costs in time and materials.
What does a tear-off involve for a Nassau house?
The old covering is stripped to the decking, the nails and the old flashing are removed, and the debris is taken away. The process takes time, and the house is protected while it is open.
A tear-off removes the existing shingles down to the boards. The roofer protects the landscaping and the walkways with tarps, removes the nails and the old flashing, and checks the decking as it is exposed. Debris is loaded into a container or a truck, and the area is cleaned at the end of each day.
Weather is the main factor in the timing. An open roof is at risk in rain, so the roofer covers the exposed decking at the end of each day and stops the work if the forecast turns. A homeowner should expect the schedule to move with the weather.
How is the new covering chosen?
By the house, the existing roof and the homeowner's budget and preference. The roofer explains the options, the expected life of each and the ventilation that goes with it.
The covering is chosen after the decking is checked. The roofer explains which covering suits the roof's pitch, the house style and the homeowner's preference. Asphalt shingles are one common covering, and the roofer explains what each grade offers in wind resistance and expected life.
The new roof should be installed with underlayment and flashing that match the covering. A cheap covering over poor underlayment can fail sooner than a better covering over good underlayment, so the scope should show both.
- The covering's wind rating and expected life
- The underlayment and its installation method
- The flashing at each penetration and valley
- The ventilation at the ridge and the eaves
What is the county licence for a roof replacement?
Nassau County's Office of Consumer Affairs licenses home-improvement businesses, roofing contractors included. The business must hold the licence before it operates or advertises the work.
Nassau County licenses home-improvement businesses through its Office of Consumer Affairs, and roofing is included. The county's licensing packet says that a business may not operate or advertise until its licence is in hand. A homeowner should ask the roofer for the licence number and check it with the county before the contract is signed.
The licence is a check on the business, not a guarantee of the work. A licensed business can still produce poor work, which is why the written scope, the inspection and the warranty terms matter. Those terms are agreed between the homeowner and the business.
What the homeowner should agree before the work starts
The scope, the decking allowance, the payment schedule, the start and finish dates and the cleanup. A clear written agreement prevents most disputes.
A homeowner should agree the scope in writing: what is removed, what is installed, what the decking allowance is and how extra decking is priced if it is found. The payment schedule, the start and finish dates and the cleanup should also be written down.
A roofer who will not put the scope in writing is a warning sign. A written scope also helps with any later insurance question, because it shows what was done and when.
Options
Types and options for roof replacement
Overlay replacement
A new layer is laid over an existing one where the code and the decking allow it. It is used less often than a tear-off, because the old layer can hide decking damage.
Decking-first replacement
The soft or rotten boards are replaced before the new covering goes on. Used when the inspection shows the decking has been wet for a long time.
Nassau County
Why roof replacement is different in Long Island
Replacements in Hempstead and across Nassau County are often planned around the storm record of the house, since a roof that has been through several nor'easters has more reasons to be checked.
The Levittown houses, built by Levitt and Sons from the late 1940s, have decking that is checked for age and moisture on each replacement.
Calls are answered 24/7. A replacement enquiry is booked for an inspection, and the scope is written after the decking has been checked.
One call and it gets handled.
Tell us when you need someone and we book the earliest visit a roof replacement technician has, and you approve the price before any work starts.
Where we work
Roof Replacement across Nassau County
- Replacement in Hempstead
- Replacement in Uniondale
- Replacement in Garden City
- Replacement in West Hempstead
- Replacement in Roosevelt
- Replacement in Franklin Square
- Replacement in Mineola
- Replacement in Carle Place
- Replacement in Rockville Centre
- Replacement in East Meadow
- Replacement in Baldwin
- Replacement in Malverne
- Replacement in New Hyde Park
- Replacement in Freeport
- Replacement in Lynbrook
- Replacement in Elmont
- Replacement in Floral Park
- Replacement in Bellmore
- Replacement in Oceanside
- Replacement in Levittown
- Replacement in Valley Stream
- Replacement in Wantagh
- Replacement in Hicksville
- Replacement in Seaford
- Replacement in Long Beach
- Replacement in Massapequa
- Replacement in Plainview
- Replacement in Farmingdale
Not sure if you're covered? Check your ZIP code.
Related
Related services
Roof Repair
Finding the source of the leak or the damaged section, repairing it properly and writing down what was done so the next storm can be checked against it.
Shingle Roof Replacement
A full shingle replacement, planned from the decking up, with the Nassau County licence confirmed and a written scope agreed before the old roof comes off.
Roof Repair
Finding the source of the leak or the damaged section, repairing it properly and writing down what was done so the next storm can be checked against it.
Written Roof Inspection Report
A dated record of the roof's condition, with photographs and a plain list of what needs doing now and what should be watched, for the homeowner to keep.
Attic Ventilation and Moisture Check
A check of the attic's air sealing, insulation and ventilation, which decides how warm the roof gets in winter and how much moisture reaches the decking.
Guides
Read before you book
What Moves the Cost of a Roof Replacement in Hempstead
No honest price list exists for a roof replacement in Hempstead, because two roofs of the same size can need very different work.
Does a Roofer in Hempstead Need a Licence?
Yes.
Cape and Ranch Roofs in Levittown: What the Age Means for the Repair
Levittown was built by Levitt and Sons as a post-war subdivision from the late 1940s, and many of its Cape Cod and ranch roofs date from that build-out.
Repair or Replace a Roof After a Storm in Hempstead
The answer depends on the decking, the covering and the age of the roof.
FAQ
Roof Replacement FAQs
Can a new roof go over the old one?
Sometimes, where the code and the decking allow it. The roofer checks the decking first, since an old layer can hide soft boards.
How long does a replacement take?
It depends on the size of the roof, the decking work and the weather. The roofer gives an estimated schedule in the written scope.
Do I need the county licence for the business?
Yes. Nassau County licenses home-improvement businesses, roofing included, and the business must hold the licence before it works or advertises.
Who checks the decking?
The roofer checks it before the scope is written, and any soft boards are included in the scope so the homeowner knows the cost in advance.
Is a replacement covered by insurance?
Your insurer and your policy decide what is covered. The roofer can document the damage and the work, and the insurer decides the claim.