During the life of your home, you can expect to replace your roof. When it comes time for that project, you will want to know the necessary steps for your home. By understanding this process, you can ensure that your roof replacement will be completed in a timely manner. From preparation to inspection, here are a few things you can expect for a residential roof replacement.
Your Roofing Company Will Look for Damage
During the initial planning stages of your job, the project manager will head to your home and estimate the project’s costs. At this time, there might be a full inspection of your structure. You will often receive a written estimate for the price. However, you should plan for additional charges. There is always a chance that the company will not know the full extent of damaged wood or other components until they pull off the shingles and other roofing materials.
If any of your roofing wood is starting to rot, it must be replaced. You never want to install new shingles on damaged wood. New shingles on wet wood can shift on the building. When this happens, you will have to pay for additional repairs to your roof.
Protecting Your Home
You want to have your home protected during a roofing project. For many roofers, they use plastic coverings and plywood to prepare your roof for the job. In some cases, the roofers need to enter your home to secure the protective tarps. You can expect to see the tarps around the sides of your home until the project is completed. These precautionary measures protect your windows, deck, and siding from falling shingles and other debris. If it rains, the tarps shield your roof from water damage during the installation.
This Is the Time for New Product Installations
If you have to replace your roof, this is the best time to have those necessary vents and pipes removed and replaced on your roof. You might even want to switch up your flashing with new aluminum or copper. New roofing caulk can be used to seal those trouble areas near skylights and chimneys.
At this stage, the drip edge should be installed on your roof. This product protects your new shingles from any water damage as it provides support for your shingles. If your home has a chimney, you might want to install a diverter. For some houses without gutters, they do not have a diverter. With this product, the water is directed off your roof. You will not have to worry about excess rainwater draining into unwanted areas around your home.
While you can install these products later, it is more convenient and cost-effective to have these items in place as you replace the roof.
Several Steps for the Roof Replacement Process
Whether you have a shingle, slate, or metal roof, the replacement steps are almost identical. First, your contractor will ensure that your property is protected from the tools and equipment used to remove the existing roofing materials. They will use tarps and plywood to prevent damage to your walls, siding, and plants.
The next step will be the removal of your old roof. The shingles are stripped from the surface as the roofers inspect your wood decking. At this point, a full inspection takes place. Wet, rotted, or softwood needs to be replaced. You want to make sure that the roofing structure is stable. With a little extra prep work, you can ensure that your new shingles and other roofing materials remain intact.
Some contractors will not look for any missing nails from the teardown stage. However, if your contractor does not make time for this task, you could see some bumps on your roof. You want to make sure that the wood decking and roof are fastened to your home. The surface of your roof will be prepared for installation. New components are installed at this stage.
Water can damage your roof. You need a water and ice shield for an underlayment. This component will prevent water leaks into your home as it sticks to the wood decking. You want to make sure this installation is completed at all roof penetration points, such as pipe flanges, roof connections, and chimneys. Once the shield is applied to your roof, the surface is covered with roofing felt. This material helps to prevent those new shingles from sticking to the roof’s wooden decking.
Once these preparation steps have taken place, your roof will be ready for new shingles. In most cases, the home roofing company will start from the bottom of the roof and work their way up to the top of your home.
After the installation is complete, the crew will clean up the job site. Your roofing team should remove all the old or unused materials from the project. After they have completed your roof replacement, a professional team leaves your home in great shape. All evidence of the project is moved or hauled away from the contractor.
Finally, the last step is the inspection. These inspections should be performed once the job is completed. The project manager wants to make sure the roof was installed correctly, and the replacement meets with your approval.
A roof replacement job can be a massive project, but it increases the value of your home. With the right preparation steps from your roofing team, the project will be completed without any headaches. In turn, you will be left with a beautiful roof. By understanding these steps, you can be sure that your roofing team has provided you with an installation that will last for years.
Let Us Help With Your Roofing Installation
At RGB Construction, we understand that the roofing replacement process can be stressful. Our licensed roofing company will walk you through the entire installation so that you can have some peace of mind with your home. If you are ready for a new roof or just need a few repairs, please give us a call at 856-264-9093.
