When you need to get a new roof installed, you will have plenty of questions for your roofing company. You will want to know the entire process from start to finish. By becoming informed about your roof installation, you can feel more relaxed during the project.
Typical Roof Timeline
From the time of your first consultation call to the time the roof is finished, the job will take between 2 to 14 days. However, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration, such as the size of the job and the materials used. The timeline can fluctuate depending on the time of the year and whether items need to be ordered.
Once the project begins, you can expect your new roof installed within two to four days. Like many construction projects, this timeline could change due to unforeseen circumstances, including needing additional work to the roof.
The Roofing Process
For most companies, the roof repair or installation will follow a particular process, such as:
Inspection and Planning: You can expect this process to take one to three weeks. During this time, the company will determine the scope of your project, and there will be an inspection of your current roof. After this step is completed, you will get the scope of work.
Permitting: This process can take up to an additional two to four weeks. In most areas, your roofing company will need to secure permits for the work. The contractor is responsible for all the project’s permits.
Installation: You can expect this phase to last between one to seven days. Once permits are approved, the contractor can begin work. The company will order the materials and finalize any plans. Depending on your roof size, you can expect work to take up to a week.
Tear Down Day
When the crew arrives at your home, they will begin to tear off parts of your roof. This work will include stripping your roof down to the deck. Your work team will start at the ridgeline and work their way down the roof. Many companies will not remove some shingles so that you aren’t left with an unprotected roof at the end of the day. A professional team will make this process as unobtrusive and clean as possible. They will even handle all the removal of the debris and dumpsters.
Some Problems May Be Found During Installation
For most projects, there are no unexpected problems during the job. However, there are times when issues are not discovered until the teardown stage. If your company finds an issue, they will discuss options for repairing the problem before starting any work.
Applying Underlayment
The next step is adding underlayment to the decking. This is a layer of felt paper, and it is used as a vapor barrier that can keep out moisture or condensation. It does help to stop some water from entering the surface, but it is not a waterproof barrier.
Special Care for Roof Breaks
If you have skylights, chimneys, stack lines, or other breaks, you have the potential for leaks. Your roofing company will treat those areas with felt paper, flashing, and caulking. For some areas, you might need to have an ice dam installed to prevent ice buildup on your roof. All these precautions will keep your roof protected over the years.
Checking on the Valleys
Your roof’s valleys are another area that can be a potential spot for leaks. In some cases, the water needs to be diverted on your roof. A metal diverter will be installed, and it can help with the dispersal of water on your roof.
Applying Shingles
At this stage, the tab shingles are applied. The team will start at the eaves and work towards the peak. Flashing will also be applied to any areas where leaks might come into your home.
Installing the Ridge Vent
The last step is installing the ridge vent. This part will help to exhaust hot air from the attic space and help to prevent ice dams. With some older homes, ridge vents are not necessary. However, you should consider them with any roof installation.
Final Inspection
The roofing company will conduct a final inspection. The team will clean up your property and remove all the debris. You will probably have to sign off on the project as well.
Roof installation can be complicated. You want to find a reputable company to finish your roofing project. RGB Construction can help you find the best solution for your next roof. If you want to learn more about our roofing services, make sure to fill out the contact form.
