The first step of a roofing project is getting the roof ready. Your crew will cover landscaping, move cars away from the house, park a dumpster in your driveway and set up their safety harnesses.
Next, they will lay the first row of underlayment, overlapping it with the previous row and nailing close together at the edges and further apart at the center. They will repeat this process until they reach the ridge. Visit https://www.bostonroofingco.com/ to learn more.
Before the shingles are installed, there is a lot of preparation that needs to be done. The roof needs to be free of dirt, oil, grease, tools and other contaminants that may interfere with the coating system’s adhesion. This will ensure a successful restoration project and the longevity of your new roof.
The roofing crew will need to access the entire roof and will need to remove anything on it that is not part of the structure of your home, such as satellite dishes or solar panels. They will also need to clear the ground of any obstructions that could get in their way or cause a safety hazard for them as they work.
This will include tarping the ground around your home and moving any landscaping items that are close to the area being worked on. This will help protect them from falling debris and will allow the roofing crew to easily move around them without worrying about damaging them.
You can prepare inside your home by removing wall decor that could be knocked off by vibrations from the hammering, and by covering any items that are fragile such as china plates. You will also want to make arrangements for children and pets. The noise from hammers and nail guns can be very disturbing for small animals, and children will need to have their nap times and outdoor playtime rescheduled. If possible, have them stay with a family member or friend for the duration of the roofing project.
You can also let your neighbors know about the project to prevent them from being disturbed by the noise and dust as well. It is a good idea to start early in the day as well, so the roofing crew can finish up before it gets too hot outside and avoid potential injuries due to overexposure.
Laying Down the Underlayment
This is the part of the project where roofing contractors actually work on the roof. It’s very dangerous if you aren’t skilled at it, so it is always recommended that you hire a professional. It’s important to note that you will need a ladder to get up onto the roof for this step. You’ll also need to make sure that you have the proper tools to do the job. A good ladder is essential and a pair of work gloves to protect your hands. You should also have a small pry bar or screwdriver to help with any removing of old shingles or flashing. A nail gun and roofing caulk will also be necessary to speed up the process and help with any water leaks or other issues.
Once you have all of your tools in place, you’ll be ready to start laying down the underlayment. The underlayment is the layer that goes between the roof deck and your new roofing material. It is critical that it’s properly laid to reduce the risk of water leaks. A high quality underlayment, like Epilay’s synthetic roofing underlayments, is designed to be easier to install than traditional felt. This is because it has a printed pattern that allows you to easily see the direction of the shingle tabs and where the overlaps should be. It’s also lightweight and features a GripWalk surface, which is a high-traction coating to help with safety on the roof.
Roofers will start by running the underlayment along the edge of the roof over the ice and water barrier and drip edge. The contractor will then nail it down firmly with cap nails at four to six inches apart around the edge and spread out more towards the middle of the underlayment. This pattern of overlapping and nailing will be continued until just below the roof’s ridge.
Drip Edge
While it may seem like a small detail, the drip edge is a vital part of any roof. It protects the fascia and the underlying wood from water damage. Without a drip edge, rainwater will seep under the shingles and into the fascia boards, which can cause rotting and even structural damage to the home. Drip edges prevent this by directing rainwater into the gutters.
Drip edges are usually made of aluminum, galvanized steel, or copper and come in different shapes to suit different roof types. They are usually installed along the eaves and rakes of the roof. They should be a minimum of 2 inches wide and should extend down and away from the shingle edge to ensure that there are no leaks. They should also be a minimum of 1/4 inch below the roof decking and be overlapping the underlayment on both eaves and gables.
Drip edge is usually installed during the installation of the shingles, although it can be done later as well. It is important to use a ladder and to wear safety equipment such as a harness, helmet, and gloves. In addition to a ladder, roofing contractors will also need tools such as a hammer, flat pry bar, tin snips, and galvanized roofing nails.
A well-installed drip edge will not only protect the underlying wood from water infiltration, but it will also help to prevent ice dams during winter. This is another reason why it is so important to choose a roofing contractor with experience and knowledge of proper roofing installation techniques. This way, you can be sure that your roof is up to code and will not need costly repairs down the road.
Shingles
Once the prep work is complete it’s time to start attaching shingles. The first thing to do is select the type of shingle you want. Most homeowners choose three-tab asphalt shingles for their durability and ease of installation, but architectural shingles are also available. They are thicker and more durable than the standard shingles and provide a layered, dimensional look that’s popular with homeowners.
If you’re installing a new roof, it’s worth upgrading to these more expensive shingles. They’ll last longer and will give your home an aesthetic upgrade that you can enjoy for years to come.
The next step is to lay down the underlayment. Most roofing professionals agree that this is the most important step of any shingle installation, and it’s especially crucial for people with little experience. It is installed in a layer over the entire roof, and it should be half-overlapping. The underlayment will provide the first line of defense against water penetration between the sky and the roof deck, so it’s important to get this part right.
You should use a ladder to install the underlayment, and it’s also important to clean up the work area before starting on the actual shingle installation. You should remove any plants, lawn games and other obstacles from around the house. This will prevent you from accidentally stepping on them as you’re working on the roof and it’ll help to protect your plants and yard equipment from damage in the process of shingle installation.
You’ll also need to remove any metal flashing that is around chimneys, vents or valleys in the roof. This is usually trashed after the shingles are installed, but it’s best to be safe than sorry.
Flashing
Flashing is a thin strip of metal – usually aluminum or galvanized steel – that lies between different parts of a roof. It is often installed in areas where roof leaks are prone to occur, such as the low points where two roof slopes meet (called valleys) and the areas around any roof penetrations (chimneys, vents, skylights).
A skilled roofing professional can install flashing effectively without having to break through any shingle courses. The flashing is then coated with caulking or another waterproof sealant to prevent any water infiltration. Because flashing is located in some of the most vulnerable areas of a roof, it can be susceptible to problems such as rust or cracks. This is why it is essential to hire a roofing professional who can install this critical element correctly.
When you’re looking for a roofing professional to perform your next roof installation, make sure you ask about their experience with flashing. This is one of the more complicated elements of a roof and should only be handled by a trusted, reliable roofing contractor.
There are various types of flashing, including continuous flashing – a single piece of metal that runs the length of the joint being waterproofed – and step flashing, which is made of rectangles of sheet metal bent into an L-shape. This type of flashing is often used above windows and doors. Kickout flashing – also known as diverter flashing – is used to direct rainwater away from the cladding of a building and into the gutter system. If this flashing is missing or faulty, it can lead to severe water intrusion that may not be easily spotted on a visual inspection.