Your home’s roof is the barrier between the interior and the exterior. If your roof is in excellent condition, it protects you from snow, hail, rain, ice, trees, and debris. If your roof is in poor condition, your home may develop leaks, mold and mildew, and other problems. Even a little roof leak can cause extensive water damage to vital residential systems.

In this article, we’ll explore the residential roofing replacement process.

The Process

The installation of a new roof is the most important of all significant home repairs. You will understand the value of a new roof if an old roof fails and causes water damage to the interior of your home, from the attic insulation to the meticulously reconstructed kitchen to the basement family room with the large-screen television. Fewer home problems are as catastrophic as a leaking roof.

The following are the steps involved in the roof replacement process:

Initial Roof Inspection

You contact a local roofing contractor when you’ve seen the damage to your roof, its general deterioration, and age, or when its warranty and estimated lifespan have expired. The first thing he will need to do is examine the state of your roof, its size and layout, and the cost of re-roofing your home.

Choose the Materials

Before you can replace your roof, you must make several choices. In addition to selecting the roofing contractor, you must also select the appropriate materials. Several fundamental roofing materials are available for selection.

There are several factors to consider while deciding on a roofing material. For example, different materials are more suitable for specific places than others. Choosing a material that will operate well in your environment and complement your home’s aesthetic is crucial. Low-pitched roofs may limit your options for roofing materials. For instance, wood shake shingles perform poorly on low slopes.

Tear off or Second Layer

Once upon a time, it was usual practice to install a new shingle roof over the previous one at least once and sometimes twice. In some countries, where complete removal of the prior roof is now necessary, this is no longer permitted. Even if layering is permitted, the pros and downsides of laying a fresh layer of shingles over an existing one must be carefully examined.

The primary argument against spreading extra layers of asphalt shingles is that the roofing materials can become too heavy for the roof structure. Structure plays a role here, especially in older dwellings. It is commonly believed that three layers of asphalt shingles are equivalent to one layer of slate shingles, which is an extremely heavy material.

When you install shingles over old shingles, you are effectively duplicating some of the surface irregularities that may already be present. You should expect to run into some bubbles, bumps, and waves when putting in a new roof. Adding new shingles on top of existing problems can result in an unappealing new roof. Before re-roofing, one strategy to mitigate this issue is to inspect the old roof and fix as many issues as possible. To repair dents, gaps, and protruding nails, you need little more than a hammer, some roofing nails, and a handful of shingles.

Work and waste reduction: The fundamental benefit of layering is the reduction of labor required.

Certain types of roofs and manufacturers demand that roofs covered by a warranty be totally stripped in order to comply with the warranty’s requirements and limits. If a warranty currently covers the roof, verify the warranty’s requirements.

Remove Old Roofing System

Typically, the old shingles must be removed prior to the installation of new roofing materials. In other instances, though, a new roofing material must be installed over the old one.

This is often viable only when placing metal roofing over asphalt shingles and only if one layer of asphalt shingles has been installed. In addition to making room for the new roof, removing the old roof allows the roofing contractor to inspect the wood decking beneath the roof.

Although removing the old roof may seem like a simple chore, it is not as straightforward as you may believe. It requires the appropriate tools and personnel. For example, the crew may require a substantial dumpster. Without one, it may be challenging to dispose of the old materials.

They may also consider covering your vegetation with tarps. Some materials will fall to the ground as the old roof is removed. By covering them, they can preserve your plants and make cleanup easier. Additionally, they may install plywood against your windows and doors to avoid damage.

Timing is also essential to consider. You shouldn’t remove the old roof and leave it off for several weeks. In reality, the old roof should not be removed until the new materials are prepared for installation. This can prevent unwanted structural damage to your home.

Any job performed on a roof might be hazardous. Therefore, it is essential that the removal team be safety-minded. The use of safety belts and ropes helps avoid dangerous falls. In addition, the proper footwear can prevent slipping and falling.

Checking the Flashing

After removing the top layer, workers inspect the flashing, the aluminum or galvanized steel that stops water from penetrating joints. It covers the roof’s chimney, valleys, and vents using various types of flashing in various locations. For example, chimneys require step and counter flashing.

The inspection will likely discover that portions of the flashing are corroded and fractured due to extensive use. However, if the flashing is in good condition, it might remain. If not, the workers will replace it with contemporary flashing and seal their work.

A layer of roofing cement on the flashing’s edges helps to repel water.

It is very vital to have quality flashing beneath the roofing, covering any valleys on your roof. It would be best if you had it to direct water away from the roof and into the gutter system.

Install Underlayment

Even a properly installed roof allows some water to leak through its surface layer. In order to stop this water from getting any further, the underlayment has been put in place. It collects and sheds water to prevent the sheathing and to frame beneath from deteriorating.

Before installing the actual underlayment, roofers install an ice and water barrier. They tuck it underneath the drip edge and then securely nail it down—the rows of the underlayment overlap to maximize protection.

Cleanup and Final Inspection

Before inspecting and cleaning up the roof, driveway, and yard, it’s time to inspect and clean the roofing system. Cleaning around the roof will be done with heavy-duty magnets from a competent company. Finally, a project manager will meet with the customer to conclude the project after a comprehensive inspection of the roof and materials.

Check Warranty

Ensure that a solid guarantee covers your new roof. Your supplies should be covered by a warranty from the manufacturer, who is typically a third party. The roofing contractor who executed the job will provide a labor warranty. It is vital to understand that any warranties will be paid for, processed, and maintained on file by the contractor. When you have questions about your roof replacement warranty, they will be your primary point of contact.

Decide What to Leave up to the Roofing Contractors

Although you can likely execute all of these processes on your own, some are simpler than others. For example, almost any handyman with time and determination is capable of removing an old roof. If you are searching for a way to save money on your next roofing project but don’t want to tackle the more challenging tasks, you can consider managing the tear-off and leaving the installation to a roofer.

Get in Touch with Paragon Remodeling to learn more about the roof replacement process

Replacing a roof is a big job, but it doesn’t have to be daunting. By following the proper steps and preparations, you can make sure your replacement goes as smoothly as possible. If you’re in need of a new roof or are just curious about the process, get in touch with  reliable roofing contractors like Paragon Remodeling. Our team will be more than happy to walk you through everything you need to know about replacing your roof—from start to finish.