If you know what to expect with your roof installation you can have a better understanding of what the process is. Here’s a breakdown of what will happen when your roofing contractor comes to install or replace your roof.
Step 1: Evaluate Current Roof
Before we even come out to your home, we take a satellite picture of your home from space and gather relevant information about your home’s roof, including size, type and slope.
One of our trained roofing consultants will visit you at your home to do a visual inspection and discuss different options for replacing your current roof. The layout of your home including roof structure will play a role in determining which type of roof material is best suited for your situation. We will also do a visual inspection of your current gutter system to determine if a replacement is needed.
Once the roof material is selected and your contract is signed, we will schedule our roof installation crew to begin work on your project.
Step 2: Remove Old Roof
The old roofing will most likely have to be removed before the new roofing material is put in place. In some cases, it is possible to install new roofing on top of the old roof, but adding too many layers (i.e., asphalt shingles) can lead to premature failure in the roof. During this stage, our installation crew will take care to remove all old debris from the premises.
Step 3: Evaluate Sheathing
After removing the old roof, our installation crew chief will evaluate the sheathing and look for any moist areas and areas of dry rot that will have to be replaced. Roof sheathing is made up of flat panels that provide structural support and a base on which roofing materials, like shingles, are attached.
Step 5: Install Underlayment
Roofing underlayment is what lies between the shingles and the roof sheathing, or roof deck, which is typically either plywood or OSB. It’s installed directly on the roof deck and provides a secondary layer of protection from the elements, including rain, snow, and wind.
There are two main types of underlayment used in the industry: felt and synthetic. Each type has its pros and cons. Our trained consultant can help guide you as to which type is best for your situation.
Step 5: Install New Roof
The type of roofing material used will determine how it is installed. Asphalt shingles are known for being one of the simplest types of roofing materials to install. First, a layer of starter shingles is installed along the bottom of the roof. A row of starter shingles is also installed down both sides of the roof as well and secured into place using roofing nails an inch or two away from the edge.
Step 6: Install Flashing
Roof flashing is a thin material, usually galvanized steel, that professional roofers use to direct water away from critical areas of the roof, wherever the roof plane meets a vertical surface like a wall or a dormer. Flashing is installed to surround roof features, such as vents, chimneys and skylights. Water should run down the side of the flashing and be directed to the shingles instead of finding its way into the roof deck.
The whole process of removing an old roof and installing a new one generally takes about 1 – 3 days. A roof that is cut up with a high number of facets at multiple angles, hips, valleys, and a steep pitch is more difficult and takes a lot longer to replace than a simple roof with only two or four roof facets. The higher off the ground the installers are, the more precautions they have to take. For their own safety, they have to move slower and more carefully which leads to your roof replacement taking longer. The time lapse video below shows a roof installment over existing roof.