Do You Really Need to Replace Bad Wood During a Roof Replacement?

Hidden Damage: What You Don’t See Can Hurt Your Roof

One of the most common questions we get during a re-roof is:
“Do I really need to replace the wood under my shingles or tile?”

The short answer: Yes — if it’s rotted, water-damaged, or not to current code, it needs to go. Here’s why it matters.

🧱 1. Your Roof Is Only as Strong as What’s Beneath It

Shingles, tile, or metal may keep out rain — but they depend on a solid, code-compliant deck underneath to hold them in place.

Rotted or soft plywood weakens the entire roofing system. Over time, that can lead to:

• Leaks

• Sagging rooflines

• Premature failure of your new roof

We inspect every square foot as we tear off and photograph any wood we recommend replacing.

🔍 2. We Don’t Guess — We Show You

At Roofing Exterior Innovations, we don’t believe in upselling. If we find bad decking or fascia, we’ll send you photos and explain your options. You’ll never be pressured — and we won’t move forward without approval.

✅ We typically include 2 sheets of plywood in every proposal to account for common wood damage. On larger or more complex jobs, we may include a custom wood allowance to help keep the project within budget.

🧰 3. We Replace to Code — Not Just What Looks Bad

Florida code requires a solid nailable surface — no soft spots, gaps, or structural concerns. If we see wood that’s borderline, we don’t leave it to chance. We replace it so your roof passes inspection the first time.

And because we’ve trained our crew ourselves, we trust them to spot problems early and fix them the right way.

💵 4. How Much Does It Cost to Replace Bad Wood?

The cost of replacing wood depends on the extent of the damage, the type of material, and how much labor is involved. We’ll always walk you through the findings, provide photo documentation, and explain the options before moving forward.

✅ Our goal is to keep repairs fair, necessary, and fully transparent — no surprises, no pressure.

✅ A Solid Roof Starts with a Solid Foundation

If your roofer doesn’t inspect or replace bad wood — they’re cutting corners. We believe in doing it right the first time, with full transparency, so your investment lasts.

📞 Schedule your roof inspection today — and get a clear plan with no surprises.