The Process of Installing a Roof

Installing a roof is no easy process. Many variables need to be considered, like the type of roofing material, the weather in the area you live in, how long you want your roof to last and other factors like this. If you don't know about roofing, these can be challenging questions to answer, so hire a professional! A professional roofer will be able to advise you on the best type of roof for your home and the area you live in. Hiring a professional roofer is also the best way to ensure the installation is done correctly. This blog will go over the process of installing a roof and why you should hire a professional roofing contractor to install your roof.

Preparing the roof deck is an essential first step to installing a new roof. The first thing we do is get up on the roof and look for damage. There may be mould, rotting wood, and other problems that need to be dealt with before installing a new roof. If we find any damaged wood, we will remove it from your roof, replace it, and replace any loose nails. We then make sure any new wood we use to fasten your roof down is correctly attached to the underlying structure of your home. 

The drip edge is a metal strip that protects the roof's edge. The drip edge should be applied over the roof deck. We start by applying the drip edge along the eaves. Once that is complete, we install the drip edge along the rakes, sloped edges and gables of your roof. We use nails to attach the drip edge strips and attach them to every rafter or truss at six-inch intervals.

The ice and water shield is the waterproof membrane protecting your roof from ice and water damage. It also protects your roof decking if water gets underneath your roofing material. First, we install the ice and water shield along the eaves and edges of your roof to protect against leaks. We then make sure it covers the entire deck and extends up into any valleys. Lastly, we install the ice and water shield around chimneys, vents, and other penetrations.

The felt underlayment is another layer of protection from the elements. Other names for roofing felt include tar paper, builder's paper, roll roofing and roofing paper. We will install this on the ice and water shield we laid out earlier. We begin at the bottom edge of your roof, laying the first piece horizontally overhanging the edge by two inches and nail it down along the edges. We install each subsequent row overlapping the previous one by about three inches so that water can run off your roof efficiently.

Roof flashings are thin metal strips we install to direct water away from leak-prone areas of your roof. It's an essential roofing material that every roof needs. We will install the flashings anywhere your shingles butt up against something like a wall, chimney, or open roof valleys. We ensure your flashing is installed correctly so these problem areas will stay leak-free for the life of the flashing material.

The first step in installing your shingles is to nail down a row of starter shingles along all eaves and rakes. We start at one end of the eaves and remove two nails from the first three-tab shingle in each bundle. We bend back the tabs on that shingle until they snap off or cut through them with a utility knife. This gives us an uncut edge for nailing into an overhang or rake board. We will repeat this process for all remaining courses along that eave or rake until we reach at least 2 feet beyond where the roof changes slope.

Now that we have the starter shingles in place, it's time to start putting down the rest of them. We install the shingles on top of one another in a staggered pattern. We start by installing an entire shingle to the left and right of the starter course, using six nails in each shingle. We cut a shingle to fit the space at the end, leaving 1/4 inch between it and the last whole shingle at either end to give rainwater somewhere to drain off. We can then install more shingles by overlapping their tabs as we go up the roof. There are many different types of shingles, so the method will vary by type, but the general approach is the same. After each shingle is secured with roof cement and nails, the process is complete, and you can enjoy your new roof!

It's essential to know what you can and cannot do regarding roofing. You may not need to be a professional roofing contractor to make simple repairs or perform maintenance on your roof, but reroofing is a big job. Trying to install a new roof by yourself can lead to severe problems with your roof and your home. This is why we recommend calling a roofing contractor for help. So if you need a new roof, call United Roofing & Exteriors! We will send out an expert who can inspect your roof and advise whether it needs to be replaced or needs some minor repairs. We have years of experience when it comes to installing roofs. We will make sure the job is done right and on time! Contact us today!