When you rely on your home to provide you with comfort and shelter, you can't take any risks with its ability to keep water outdoors where it belongs. Great roofing is instrumental in the fight against the elements, because it helps to create the kind of environment you need to keep your home and family safe. Unfortunately, there are many homes that don't have strong, reliable roofs, which can cause problems in the long run. On this website, check out excellent ways to spot roofing problems and resolve them quickly. After all, your home is your most valuable asset, so protect it now.
If the asphalt shingle roof on your home needs to be replaced, you might be a little concerned about the process if you've never had to replace a roof before. When the contractor visits to give an estimate and write up the contract, they'll answer your questions and tell you what to expect. Here's a look at a few things involved with a roofing replacement.
The Old Shingles And Underlayment Are Torn Off
The roofing contractor will arrange for a dumpster to be dropped off before work begins on your roof. The dumpster is for all the old roofing materials the crew removes, and it needs to be parked close to your house.
While the roofer has a good idea of the condition of your roof from the inspection, the only way to know for sure if the deck is sound is to uncover it. Once the old shingles and underlayment are gone, the roof deck is exposed so it can be examined for holes and water damage. The roofer can decide then if parts of the deck need to be replaced.
Repair Damaged Deck Areas
Roof decks are often made of plywood, so damaged areas can be removed and replaced with dry plywood when needed. It's important to repair all the damaged areas on the deck so they don't get covered up by new roofing, or rot and mold might spread. If your roof never developed a leak, the deck may still be in good shape and not need any repairs.
Put On New Underlayment
Underlayment goes on top of the deck as protection against rain. Once the underlayment is down, you don't have to worry about damage to your roof if a sudden shower pops up. The roofer will allow the underlayment to dry and then continue putting on shingles.
The underlayment might not last as long as the shingles, and it can also get worn down and water damaged if a shingle leaks, so it usually has to be torn off and replaced when you have a roof replacement done.
Apply The Shingles And Flashing
When it's time to put on the shingles, the roofers usually attach them using roofing nails and a nail gun so the work goes fast. The crew starts at the bottom and installs shingles in rows so the top row covers the shingles below.
Your roofer might use some or all of the same flashing from your old roof. Flashing is made of metal, so it lasts a long time. However, if the flashing is rusty or damaged, the roofer will put on new flashing and new rubber boots. These roof parts go around the chimney and vent pipes to prevent leaking.
When the roofing replacement is complete, the roofer checks your property for debris and cleans up. This might include using a magnet wand to pick up loose nails that fell to the ground. The dumpster with the old roofing is hauled off and your property is back to normal, and your home has a new roof that should last for many years.