The Basics of Roofing Installation

Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. It protects you and your family from the elements and adds to your curb appeal.

Roofing

To keep it in good condition, you should inspect it regularly for any damage or signs of wear. If repairs are needed, you should consider having a professional roofing contractor install a new roof.

The first step in a successful roofing installation is to evaluate your roof and determine what type of material you want. Your friendly roofing contractor can help you select the best shingles for your home, whether you want dimensional shingles to add beauty and curb appeal, three-tab shingles to save money, wood shakes for a natural look or metal sheeting for durability. The next step is to install the underlayment and felt paper. This is important to keep water from seeping into your house. It will also help protect your new roof from the elements.

Once the underlayment and felt paper are in place, a roofer can start to put on the shingles. A professional will start at the bottom of your roof and work his way up to the ridge, making sure to cover the whole area. He will also waterproof the valleys, which are the areas where your roof slopes meet.

As he works, a roofer will remove any old shingles and debris from the roof. This is essential, because any debris left on the roof can interfere with your new roof’s installation and lead to leaks later. He will also clear any obstructions from the roof, such as satellite dishes or other objects.

The pounding of hammers on the roof can cause vibrations that may dislodge or damage items in your home. To avoid this, you should take down wall hangings and move delicate mementos and knickknacks to a safer location during the roof installation process. It’s a good idea to also backup any computer files, and cover any furniture that could be damaged by dust and dirt.

Finally, it’s a good idea to place tarps in the yard to protect landscape and garden areas from falling shingle debris. A tarp will also provide a barrier between your yard and the construction zone to prevent debris from getting into your neighbors’ yards and homes.

You should also make sure that your family members are aware of the noise and activity that will be taking place during the roofing installation process. If you have children or pets, be sure to keep them away from the construction site and find safe accommodations for them during this time.

Installation

The roof installation phase is the time when the actual shingles are laid. It can be a lengthy process, depending on the size of your home and type of roofing material. Once your roofing contractor has gathered all the necessary materials for your project, they will cover sensitive areas of your property with tarps and/or wooden boards to protect things like your driveway, pool, or landscaping. This will allow the debris from the roof to fall to the ground instead of damaging your possessions or landscaping.

The next step is to lay down the starter strip, which has a continuous adhesive on it that helps defend your roof against water intrusion. Then the first row of shingles are nailed down overlapping and offset from the previous row by 6 inches. This is to ensure that the tabs of adjacent shingles never line up. A pattern of overlapping and nailing is repeated until the ridge is reached. The roofer will also install vents, skylights, and chimney flashing, as well as ice and water shields in the valleys and along hip roofs.

After the roof is fully shingled, the contractor will apply a layer of roofing caulk around raw edges to make them waterproof. This will seal out the elements and prevent leaks in the future. They will also use roofing cement to seal the underlayment and shingle seams.

Cleanup

Depending on the scope of the roofing project, a roof replacement or significant repair can leave behind an unattractive mess of old shingles, scraps, nails and other debris. These materials can pose serious safety hazards to people or pets that come into contact with them, and can damage the surrounding property if not properly cleaned up.

A well-executed cleanup process is an important part of a successful roofing job and should be outlined in the roofing contractor’s contract. This ensures that the cleanup will be a priority and eliminates any surprises down the road for the homeowner.

When hiring a roofing contractor, make sure they include the cleanup process in their contract and read customer reviews to find out how well they performed. The better the cleanup process, the less of a mess and stress you will have to deal with after the job is done.

The first step in cleaning up a re-roofing project is to cover sensitive areas of the home and yard with tarps, such as air conditioning units, plants, patio furniture, lawn ornaments and driveways. This helps to prevent any debris and mud from getting on these items or being tracked inside the house. Having a roll-off dumpster onsite also helps during the roofing job, as all of the debris can be thrown away immediately instead of letting it pile up.

After the tarps are in place, it is time to start the actual work of removing and replacing shingles. For this, the crew will have to tear off the existing shingles and underlayment. This is where a lot of the debris will accumulate, including old shingle nails that can puncture and tear the new shingles. Having a nail sweeper on hand is a good idea, as it will help to remove most of the nails but may not catch every last one. A magnetic sweeper will also be helpful, as it can pick up any stray nails that may have missed the nail sweeper.

It is also a good idea to have a downspout bag installed in the gutter, as this will keep any small debris, such as nails, from washing into your yard and garden beds. This can be especially beneficial for homeowners with young children and pets that will be playing in the yard during the roofing project.

Warranty

Generally speaking, warranties combine the laws of strict liability and negligence with contract law to provide consumers with protection against defective products. Warranties can be express or implied, and can cover both parts of a product and the labor needed to make repairs. Always carefully read the fine print of a warranty to ensure that you know exactly what is and is not covered. You may also want to do a quick Internet search on the company offering the warranty to check its reputation.

Important Roofing Components

A roof is a critical component of any building. It protects the interior space from rain, snow, sunlight and extreme temperatures.

Roofing

Rafters or prefabricated trusses support sheathing of plywood or OSB. A sheathing board can be field-applied with aluminum-pigmented asphalt, asphalt emulsion, urethane or acrylic.

Regular inspections identify problems early, reducing the likelihood of costly repairs later on. Proper attic ventilation also extends the lifespan of shingles and reduces energy costs.

Shingles are designed to endure various weather conditions. They provide a sturdy shield against rain, snow, humidity, and other elements that can damage the roof structure or cause costly water leaks. However, shingles are not impervious to the silent menace of rot that can quietly wreak havoc on the entire home. Moisture seeps into the tiny crevices and gaps of deteriorating shingles, triggering a slow but steady deterioration process that may lead to permanent roof damage and expensive repairs.

The first signs of shingle deterioration are visible at the roof edges and along the hips, ridges, and eaves of the house. You might also notice shingle granules in the gutters or downspouts after a hailstorm. These granules, which resemble sandpaper, are an indication that the asphalt coating of your shingles has been compromised and exposed to the elements. A deteriorating shingle can lose its ability to protect the underlying layers of the roof and may become susceptible to rotting, which threatens the integrity of the entire roof system.

A damaged shingle can also reveal itself by producing blisters, which look similar to bruises and are often accompanied by a loss of granules in the affected area. If you notice a blistered shingle on your roof, it is time for a roof repair or replacement.

Cracking is another common sign of shingle damage. This can occur naturally due to natural aging, stress on the roof, thermal movement, and other factors. However, premature cracking on a newer shingle roof could indicate an installation problem, a manufacturer defect, or inadequate ventilation in the attic.

If you suspect your shingles are showing signs of damage, it’s best to consult an experienced roofing contractor for a thorough inspection and diagnosis. A skilled roofer will not only check the condition of the shingles, but they’ll consider surrounding indicators as well, such as a crease in the middle of a fully sealed shingle that wind damage does not exhibit.

A roofer should also be able to explain the differences between shingle color and its effect on energy efficiency. Some homeowners believe that darker shingles absorb more heat, but this is not necessarily the case. The actual factor that impacts insulation is the amount of light a shingle reflects or absorbs, not its color.

Underlayment

The underlayment is the first layer of your roof that protects against weather elements and other damage to your home. It is typically made of asphalt-saturated felt or modern synthetic materials, and it covers your entire roof deck before you install shingles or another roofing material. This underlayment creates a secondary moisture barrier that prevents wind-driven rain and water from seeping into the inner structure of your home.

When you see signs of a leaky roof, it is possible that the underlayment has been damaged. In this case, you may need to hire a professional roofing contractor for repair or replacement. Leaks can be disastrous, and they can cause significant water damage to the interior of your home. Leaks also affect the structural integrity of your home, which can be dangerous for occupants and pets.

Underlayment is a critical part of your roof, and it should be inspected regularly to ensure that it is functioning properly. Inspecting the underlayment will help you identify and address any problems before they become a major issue. The longevity of your underlayment depends on a number of factors, including its type and installation quality, weather conditions, maintenance practices, and local building codes.

The most common underlayment is a traditional piece of felt. It is less expensive than other options and has good waterproofing qualities. However, it can tear during the installation process and it can absorb moisture, reducing its effectiveness. Additionally, felt can dry out or lose its waterproof properties when exposed to UV rays.

Synthetic underlayment is a more durable option that can withstand the stresses of installation and weather extremes. It is also more effective than felt, as it is more resistant to water and can prevent leaks. Some synthetic underlayments are also breathable, which can help with condensation management in the attic space.

Some roofs require specialized underlayment, such as a fire-resistant product or a self-sealing membrane. These underlayments are designed to provide a high level of protection and safety for your home, and they can be installed in areas where other types of underlayment cannot be used.

Flashing

The flashing is a critical component of your roof and helps to keep water and moisture out of your home. It is a strip of metal that is installed in vulnerable areas on the roof, such as around chimneys, dormer walls and other protrusions. Without a flashing, these areas would leak and cause damage to the roofing structure and interior of your home. A professional roofer will install the flashing correctly to protect your home.

The type of flashing that you will need depends on the location where it is being installed. Generally, the flashing is fabricated from galvanized steel and will be bent to fit in the area that needs to be waterproofed. The flashing can also be fabricated from other materials, such as copper, but it will need to be replaced frequently because it is susceptible to corrosion.

There are several types of flashing, including step flashing, which wraps around the base of a chimney or wall and lapped under the shingles, counter flashing, which is used in valleys where two slopes meet, and roll valley, which runs along the roof’s valleys. The type of flashing you will need is dependent on the size and location of the penetration in your roof, as well as your climate.

A professional roofer will install the flashing properly to prevent water and moisture from seeping into your home, which can cause damage to the roofing structure, insulation and interior of your home. It is important to have your flashing inspected yearly to ensure that it is still in good condition and that no leaks are developing.

In addition to protecting your home from leaks, flashing can help to prevent snow and rain from building up in the gutters. The flashing will direct the water down and into the storm drains, rather than flowing into the gutters and over the fascia boards. There are a variety of flashing shapes, including L-shaped, T-shaped and F-shaped, that can be used to accommodate different sizes and configurations of gutter systems.

Because of the constant shrinking and expanding of flashing due to dramatic weather changes, it is vital that it be regularly inspected for signs of wear and tear. If left unchecked, the flashing will develop a wrinkled look, which can allow moisture to penetrate into your home.

Gutters

Gutters are an integral part of a roof and are responsible for water management. They protect the roof, walls, windows, and foundations of a building from excess moisture and other water-related problems by channeling rainwater away from the building. They are fixed along the edge of a roof and connected to downspouts that carry water towards ground level or an underground drainage system. Gutters need regular maintenance to remain functional and blockage free.

Clogged gutters cause a number of problems for your roof, the siding of your house, and the foundation. Water that is not able to flow freely through the gutter will overflow and back up onto your roof, causing shingles to sag or even lift from the roof surface. This will also lead to roof leaks which can cause water damage to the interior of your home and even structural damage to your home’s frame.

In addition, dripping water can cause wood siding to rot and paint to peel. It can also cause the foundation of your home to sink or shift, leading to a wide variety of costly issues that need to be addressed. Gutters provide a vital service to your roof and the overall health of your home and should be taken seriously when choosing contractors.

The type of gutter material you choose will depend on your budget and the look of your house. Aluminum is a popular choice for gutters because it doesn’t rust and can be painted to match the color of your house. Vinyl is another affordable option but can fade due to prolonged exposure to sunlight. Steel is a more durable gutter material but can rust over time. Copper is expensive but is long-lasting and adapts well to different roof configurations and architectural styles.