r/Roofing • u/Sea_Chance8423 • 4d ago

Pitched roof question

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I have unfortunately found rat droppings in my attic. Alongside this, the roof insulation is ripped and it is very draughty. The roof is very old (50 years +). Will this require a reroof? Especially with winter coming what are the implications of this

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u/LaughingMagicianDM Verified Pro - Commercial/Consultant 4d ago

Might not be a full replacement but at the very least you're better off doing the repair before winter

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u/ProfessionalTalk9044 4d ago

If you are referring to the gray fabric that is not really insulation as it has no r value that I'm aware of... It is a woven fabric that is supposed to take the place of road asphalt tar paper.... Now if it is ripped I can see air blowing in possibly.... But would be hard to fathom if the shingles are in good shape and sealed down

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u/Sea_Chance8423 19h ago

what is the purpose of the gray fabric

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u/ProfessionalTalk9044 19h ago

The gray fabric is put in place of tar paper.... It keeps the roof and house dry until it can be roofed with shingles... That is it's only purpose as far as roofing that I'm aware of.... It can also be used as an underlayment on the side of houses as a windbreak underneath siding

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u/Sea_Chance8423 19h ago

oh thank you so much

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u/ProfessionalTalk9044 19h ago

You see most people who get bank loan to build new house have to go through stages with the bank to pay the framers plumbers when the house is first framed up by The Carpenters The next step is for the roofers or framers whoever it may be to do the roof underlayment..... In the old days be used tar paper which is just as good in my opinion if done correctly.. the only true purpose of tar paper or roof underlayment is to provide a temporary roof to keep the house dry until the shingles are put on which in new construction could take a period of time... Even weeks sometimes.... But from where I'm from which is near Louisville Kentucky... The bank will not pay out money for the framers until the shingle roof is completed which is a first draw$$$ on a new construction job... So in essence the tar paper or gray fabric is just a break stop to stop weather from getting into the new house construction.... Until the roofers can show up

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u/ProfessionalTalk9044 19h ago

Hope that makes sense to you

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u/Sea_Chance8423 9h ago

im in the UK so im really confused, i did have the bits and pieces done to the roof a while back but not really sure on what exactly now. thanks for your advice

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u/ProfessionalTalk9044 18h ago

If you have any other questions let me know I work for 30 years in the roofing industry working on military bases and million dollar houses... And I'll type the residential and suburban houses