Determine whether a residential reroof qualifies for recover (layover) or requires full tear-off per the IRC roof-recover provisions.
domain: iccsafe.org · 5 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
Sampled — shipped under file-level sampling, not individually fact-checkedcommunity attestations: 0✓ / 0✗
Steps
Confirm the applicable IRC edition adopted by the AHJ and cite the correct current section — 'Roof recover not allowed' is at R908.3.1.1 in the 2021 IRC; verify section numbering against the edition actually in force, since it can shift between editions.
Rule out recover if the existing roof/covering is water-soaked or deteriorated such that it can't serve as an adequate base for additional roofing.
Rule out recover if the existing covering is slate, clay, cement, or asbestos-cement tile.
Rule out recover if the existing roof already has two or more layers of any roof covering — full tear-off is then required.
Confirm any manufacturer or insurer requirement for tear-off that is stricter than the code minimum, since many shingle manufacturers require tear-off for warranty eligibility regardless of code allowance.
Known gotchas
Section numbering for reroofing/recover provisions has changed between IRC editions — confirm against the actual adopted edition rather than assuming 2021 numbering applies everywhere.
Meeting the bare code minimum for recover eligibility does not guarantee manufacturer warranty eligibility; check the shingle warranty terms separately.
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