The type of roofing materials you choose will significantly impact the installation timeline. Asphalt shingles are much faster to install than slate or tile.
The contractor will start by laying an ice and water barrier (if there isn’t one already), and then underlayment. Visit https://www.corpuschristiroofingco.com/ to learn more.
The roofers will also cover any areas that aren’t a part of the re-roofing project to prevent damage. They’ll then walk around the property with a magnet and sweep up any nails.
Before the roofers start working on your new roof, they should prepare your house and yard. This includes covering plants and landscaping with tarps, setting up dumpsters for waste disposal, and using wooden boards to protect things like your air conditioning unit.
The preparation process also involves clearing the roof and surrounding areas of debris, ensuring that it is safe for work to begin. The tearing off of the old roof can be very messy, and the debris is likely to fall on landscaping or other outdoor structures. Make sure that the area is free of any valuables or other items you don’t want to lose. It is also a good idea to cover driveways and other areas of the property with plastic sheets in case debris lands on them.
Once the roofers are ready to start work, they should give you a call to let you know when they’ll be arriving. This lets you plan accordingly and gives the crew time to arrive, unload equipment, and set up a work zone. If you’re in a densely populated neighborhood, it’s important to coordinate with your neighbors to ensure that they are aware of the roofing project and have a clear understanding of how it will impact their homes and yards.
While the roofers are on your property, it is best to keep children and pets away from the construction area. This is both to protect them from the noise and because it can be dangerous for them to walk through debris. In some cases, this may mean arranging for alternate accommodations for them while the roof is being installed.
A few other things to consider include preparing the interior of your home by covering furniture with plastic sheets or moving it to a safe place that isn’t affected by vibrations from the hammers and nail guns. You should also remove wall-hung pictures, delicate mementos, and knickknacks to prevent damage. You should also cover your attic with plastic tarps to protect it from dust and fine particles that will be kicked up during the work.
Materials
The materials you use for a roof can make or break the job. Whether you are laying asphalt shingles or more exotic roofing materials, you need the right supplies for the job. Having the right tools will help you complete the project faster and more efficiently. It will also save you from having to waste time running back and forth to the hardware store to get the materials you forgot to bring along.
There are many different roofing materials to choose from, and each one offers its own unique advantages. Some of the most popular options include course asphalt shingles, wood shakes and slate shingles. Metal roofing is another option that can offer durability and longevity.
Before laying the shingles, you will need to have the proper roof decking and sheathing material in place. This can be plywood or oriented strand board, and it will serve as the foundation for the rest of the roof. In addition, you will need underlayment, which is a protective layer installed directly over the roof decking. This can be an asphalt saturated felt paper or, more commonly, a synthetic underlayment that is made from a mixture of fiberglass and asphalt. The underlayment will protect the decking from water damage that can occur from leaks, minor scrapes and other issues.
Other roofing materials that you will need to have on hand are a caulking gun and high-quality nails. The caulking gun makes it much easier to apply the cement and ensure that you have an even coat throughout the entire area. You will also need a roof rake to remove any debris from the site, as well as tarps to cover any landscaping or other features of the house. You will also need tin snips if you are doing any work with metal flashing or gutters. These will allow you to trim the materials and make precise cuts. You should also consider getting curved tin snips if you plan on doing any work that requires them.
There are also various accessories that can be added to a roof, such as roof vents and gutters. The vents can promote airflow and prevent moisture buildup in the attic, while gutters will catch the rainwater to avoid water damage to the fascia boards. Finally, there are specialty shingle caps for the hip and ridge areas of the roof that add protection and a finished look to the home.
Installation
Roofing is a physically demanding project. It requires a strong back, an ability to climb and walk around on the roof without feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and the courage to do it yourself if you don’t have the money to hire a contractor. If you have those qualities, and aren’t afraid of heights, then you’re probably up for the challenge. Before you begin, though, make sure you have a good ladder with a high weight rating, and cover any sensitive areas of your property with tarps and wooden boards to protect them from roof debris.
The first step of the roofing process is to remove the old roof covering. This is messy work, and it can create a lot of trash. To minimize the mess, your roofer will take multiple precautions. These include covering shrubbery and landscaping with tarps, having a dumpster delivered to haul away the waste, and using wooden boards to cover any open drains to prevent small pieces of debris from blocking them.
After the tarps and old shingles have been removed, the new underlayment will be installed. The contractor will then apply roofing cement to the raw edges of the underlayment and install a row of shingle caps. A pattern of overlapping and nailing will be used to install the shingles, with close nails near the edge and nails spread out more towards the middle. Finally, the roofer will install drip edge flashing, valley flashing, and ice and water sheathing in leak-prone areas of the roof.