A common practice among many Charleston roofing companies is to forgo replacing tar paper when performing a roofing job. Some contractors claim tar paper isn’t necessary for a number of reasons. The truth is that any time all layers of shingles are removed, it is a good idea to completely tear off and replace the tar paper as well.
Once shingles are removed, the roofing felt underneath will contain nail holes that can let water seep underneath. As such, this layer of protection is no longer as effective as it once was. If water happens to get underneath the shingles, it can get into these nail holes and cause further damage.
Another reason for removing tar paper is because it allows contractors to inspect the roof’s decking. The decking normally consists of plywood and lies directly underneath the shingles. If the decking is damaged, it will need to be replaced at the same time the roof is installed. Without physically looking at this surface, it is impossible to tell if it is rotted or decayed. As a result, the new roof may leak only a short time after installation.