A good roof is crucial to your home. It protects your house from moisture and keeps out the cold and heat. Without it, your house could experience water leaks and other structural problems.
Before your roofing crew starts, they’ll tarp your yard to keep debris clean. They’ll also remove any existing shingles or tiles and inspect the substrate and flashing (metal sheeting along the roof valleys, chimneys, and vents) for damage. Visit https://www.sacramentoroofco.com/ to learn more.
Getting a new roof is a serious project and it’s important that you prepare your home for the process. This includes clearing the area around your house for safer movement of the crew, and moving any vehicles or trash bins from the area. It also means removing furniture or decorations from your outdoor spaces, as well as any items on or near walls and shelves that could be damaged by vibrations during the roofing process.
A top-tier roofer will take the time to inspect your current roof and the structure beneath it. This is the time to spot any problems and address them as needed. This step is important because any existing problems can impact the quality of your new roof.
Next, the roofer will remove any existing shingles or tiles and install new flashing and underlayment. This is a major part of the roof rinstallation process, as it protects against moisture and other elements. The old shingles may contain thousands of nails, so it’s important that they are removed or pounded flat to prevent protrusions that could damage the new roofing materials. This is also the time to install insulation, which will help regulate indoor temperature and minimize energy loss and gain.
Removal of Existing Roofing
Your roof protects you and your family from the elements. It has seen your children grow up, held your annual Thanksgiving celebrations, and done a stellar job of keeping you and your loved ones safe and comfortable. But as time passes, your home’s roofing materials will wear out over the years. This is why many homeowners and businesses choose to have their roofs reinstalled, instead of completely removed. Also known as re-roofing, this process allows you to add a new layer of shingles on top of your old one. Depending on the condition of your old roof, it may be able to last as long as a new roof with proper care and maintenance.
Before adding a new roof, the contractor will remove the existing shingles. Using a shovel and pry bar, they will carefully peel up the old shingles, taking care not to gouge or damage the underlayment. They will also remove the metal eave drip and the flashing around chimneys, vents, and the roof edges. Finally, they will inspect the sheathing or roof decking and look for moist areas or other trouble spots that may need attention.
The tearing off of the existing roof can take anywhere from one to seven days to complete, depending on weather conditions and the size of your house. It is also important that you have a dumpster and tarps placed near the house to keep debris from falling into your landscaping or driveway and causing damage. Also, you should cover any plants or other items near the house with tarps and board them up to prevent damage from nails that are falling from your roof.
During the tear off, your roofing contractors will also pull or pound any nails that are sticking up through the decking. This is an important step because protruding nails will tear holes in the new shingle layer, which can lead to premature roof failure. Also, this ensures that the sheathing and underlayment are completely free of shingle nails.
Underlayment Installation
Underlayment acts as a barrier to keep rain or snow from seeping beneath the new roof materials. It’s typically installed directly on top of the wooden boards that make up your home’s skeleton, such as plywood or OSB. This sheathing material might also be called the roof deck or roof sheathing. The underlayment helps prevent moisture damage and provides a layer of protection between the sheathing and the asphalt shingles.
The type of underlayment you need depends on your climate and the roofing materials you select. Some types of underlayment are made from felt, others from a synthetic material. A professional will help you choose the best underlayment for your home.
Felt underlayment is one of the oldest types of underlayment and a good choice for many roofs. It’s composed of an organic mat or paper saturated with asphalt to help resist water penetration. Felt underlayment can tear easily, though, so you should be prepared for a messy project. It’s also not as durable as the other types of underlayment.
Other types of underlayment include self-adhered or non-woven. The self-adhered underlayments have a sticky back that helps them stick to the roof deck. They’re often used in leak-prone areas such as the eaves, valleys, and around vents, chimneys, and skylights. Non-woven underlayments offer a lightweight solution that can cut down on labor costs. They’re also more durable and environmentally friendly than felt underlayments.
As you install the underlayment, be sure to leave a little space allowance between it and the walls of your home. Doing so protects the walls from moisture damage, which can lead to squishy spots and musty odors. Some underlayment products have pre-attached adhesives that make installation easier. If yours doesn’t, you can use duct tape to bind the rows together.
Once the underlayment is in place, you can start installing your shingle materials. Be sure to wear a harness and a safety rope if you’re working on a steep or high roof. A fall from the roof can result in serious injuries or death.
Roofing Materials Installation
If you’re planning on installing a new roof, you will need to have some basic tools and supplies. This includes underlayment, roofing materials, and some safety gear. Ideally, you should hire a professional contractor for the job to ensure that all the steps are done correctly and in accordance with building codes. The contractor will also take care of any necessary paperwork and permits that are required by your local government.
First, the roofing contractor will inspect the existing roof to see what condition it is in and identify any potential issues. They will then lay tarps to cover any plants or other landscaping features on your property to protect them from water damage. Then, they will remove the old shingles and any other debris from the roof. They will then install the underlayment and flashing to prepare it for a new layer of roofing material.
Next, the roofers will begin the installation of the actual roofing materials. This process will depend on the type of roof you choose. For example, asphalt shingles are one of the most common types of roofs. These are the least expensive and are easy to replace if they get damaged. They are not the best choice for high-wind areas, though. You might want to consider alternatives such as tile or metal if you live in an area with frequent storms.
Once the underlayment is in place, the roofers will start to put down the new shingles. They will start at the eave and work their way up, overlapping each row. They will then trim off any excess shingle material with a utility knife or other tool. After that, they will apply roofing caulk around any raw edges to prevent leaks.
The last step in the re-roofing process is to install the ridge caps. This will cover the top of your roof and keep it protected from rain, snow, and other weather conditions.
After the ridge caps are in place, the roofers will install any necessary vents and chimney flashing. This will include any vents for your ductwork, a vent for the bathroom or kitchen exhaust fan, and any other needed vents.