The first step in roofing installation is to remove the old roof. This involves tossing old shingles, flashing and membrane into a dumpster.
It’s a repetitive and physically demanding job. For example, it takes a lot of energy to carry bundles of shingles up and down a ladder. They also install flashing around chimneys, skylights and vents. Visit Website to learn more.
A roof protects the structure of a home or commercial building from wind, rain, snow and other elements. Depending on the age and condition of a roof, it may need to be replaced or repaired to keep the home or building protected and secure. A new roof also can improve the aesthetic of a property and increase its value.
A roofing job requires several types of materials to be completed properly. To start, a high-quality ladder is essential to safely access the roof and complete construction. Ladders with safety features and locking mechanisms help to prevent accidents during the roofing process.
The next roofing material needed is underlayment. This is an extra layer of protection that prevents moisture from penetrating the roofing deck and causing attic leaks. There are two different types of underlayment, felt paper and a synthetic membrane. Felt paper underlayment is the cheaper option, while synthetic underlayment is more expensive but provides greater durability and weather resistance.
Other important roofing materials include shingles, flashing, ice and water shield, roof vents, drip edge and gutters. Shingles are the most popular roofing material because they are durable and affordable. There are various types of shingle materials, including asphalt shingles, wood shakes and composite shingles. A roofing contractor can help homeowners choose the best shingles for their properties based on climate, budget and aesthetic preferences.
To install shingles, it is helpful to have a good caulking gun and quality nails. The type of nails will depend on the roofing material being used, but galvanized metal nails are usually recommended because they are resilient against rust and corrosion. A nail gun makes the installation of shingles much quicker and easier.
For the eaves and ridges of the roof, a contractor will need shingle trim pieces to create a clean, finished look. These can be bought at most hardware stores or big box home improvement centers. In addition, a good pair of tin snips is necessary to cut metal flashing and gutters. They are easy to use and offer more precision than cutting these materials by hand with a utility knife or razor blade.
Preparation
Whether you’re roofing your own house or hiring contractors to do the work, it is essential to prepare the area surrounding your home. This will minimize any disturbance or damage to your landscaping and possessions while the roofing process is underway. It also ensures that your preferred contractor will be able to work efficiently without any obstruction.
The first thing you need to do is clear any vehicles or other objects from the immediate vicinity of your home. This allows the roofing crew to move around them and not worry about tripping or damaging anything else in the vicinity. Also, if you have any gardening equipment or decorations in the yard, covering them with a tarp will protect them from falling debris.
You should also clear out your attic if you store items there. Even conscientious roofers kick up a lot of dust during the replacement process, and this can damage delicate or valuable belongings stored in the attic. This can include family heirlooms and other expensive items, so consider relocating them for the duration of the roofing project.
It is also a good idea to remove wall art or decorations, especially those that are precarious or susceptible to slipping off due to vibrations during the hammering and nailing process of your roof replacement. These vibrations can cause framed pictures and other wall hangings to fall off, so this precaution will help to prevent this from happening.
Lastly, you should mark or cover any plants and flower beds that are vulnerable to dropped shingles. This will give the roofers a heads up and allow you to relocate them to safety before the start of the job. It’s also a good idea to mark any koi ponds, natural pools tucked behind reeds, or other water features in your yard so that roofers know they need to take extra care not to disturb them.
Lastly, you should have some tools on hand to speed up the re-roofing process. A caulk gun and a hammer are a must, as well as gloves for working with the shingles. Other helpful items include a large magnet, which the roofers will use to sweep up any nails or other debris after each cleanup.
Installation
Before a roofer starts work, they should protect the surrounding areas of your home and yard with tarps. They will also take steps to cover your air conditioning unit, garden and other items with protective boards. Larger roofing projects may require construction equipment like forklifts and tractors.
Once your roofing contractor has protected the surrounding areas of your property, they will start removing your existing roof. Depending on the size and complexity of your roof, this process can take several hours. Your roofing contractor should carefully inspect the existing roof deck to make sure it is structurally sound and capable of supporting a new roof.
When the tear off is complete, your roofer will install underlayment and a layer of new shingles. They will use a nail gun to speed up the installation process and apply roofing caulk around raw edges.
You can choose from a variety of shingle types, colors and styles for your new roof. Your contractor can explain the strengths and limitations of each type to help you decide which is best for your home. You can also add ridge vents, soffit vents and other features to improve attic ventilation and save energy costs.
Inspection
A building inspector is the person responsible for making sure the roof installation process adheres to local construction rules. During this process, a thorough examination is made of the roofing materials used. This includes looking at the quality of the material, as well as whether or not it is appropriate for a particular type of roof. The inspection will also make a note of the safety requirements that have been met.
When an inspector examines a roof, they’ll typically walk the entire surface from one end to the other. They’ll look at the nailing pattern, validate that the underlayment is correctly installed and inspect the flashing in areas where it is needed to prevent leaks. If the inspector finds that additional work is required, they’ll conduct a mid-roof inspection or 2nd inspection. This will be more in-depth than the pre-inspection, as they’ll take the time to look at areas that were noted as “crucial” during the pre-inspection.
They’ll use a ladder to access the roof and check its structural integrity. This includes ensuring that the overall structure, including rafters and trusses, is strong enough to support the weight of the roof, as well as the potential load of equipment, people and vehicles. The inspection will also look at the condition of the shingles and tiles, checking for any signs of damage or wear.
The inspector will also check the seals around any roof penetrations, which are points where holes were cut into the roof to install equipment such as drains, exhaust vents, HVAC curbs, plumbing stack vents or skylights. These penetrations are at high risk of leaking or becoming infested with critters. The inspector will be looking for good penetration sealing practices, which include using plenty of flashing (the metal sheeting that is fitted around areas that are prone to leaks) and proper caulking to ensure the integrity of the seal.
The inspector will also evaluate the landscaping, outdoor furniture and decks that are being affected by the replacement of the roof. If they’re to be moved, the contractor will need to mark their position with a flag or another visible means. This is to protect the items from damage or being stolen during the course of the work.