Roof replacement should not be taken lightly. Although it is not difficult to replace or repair one shingle you should have your roof inspected to ensure its integrity. Here are the roof replacement basics that you need to know.
A permit may be required in your area or state to repair a roof. This depends on the extent of the repairs and the size of the area. If you are re-roofing, you may need a permit. These are some tips to help you recognize when your roof is reaching the end of its useful lifespan before you start looking for roofing contractors.
The Basic Roofing Materials
These are the most popular choices for residential roofing:
- Asphalt composition roofing shingles: They are affordable and easy to find, but their flat appearance makes them less appealing than other options. Considered the most widely used type of roofing material.
- Wood shakes or shingles: These shingles are expensive but very attractive. They are durable but not recommended for areas with high fire danger.
- Metal roofing: Metal roofing made from steel or aluminum has become more popular in recent years because of its fireproof durability and durability. Although these roofs are expensive and require specialist contractors to install, they can be very cost-effective in the long term due to their long lifespan. There are many types of metal roofing products, including panels with raised seams and products that look like composite shingles.
- Slate roofing: A highly preferred, expensive, and heavy roofing option. Slate roofs can be slippery and are difficult to fix if damaged.
- Composition slate: Synthetic tiles made of 95% recycled materials (including rubber) and are rapidly gaining in popularity. These tiles are lighter than other types of stone tile and more resistant to damage, but they look very similar to slate.
- Clay or ceramic tile: Although the Spanish-style red tile roof was the dominant image in the United States, metal and composite materials are slowly replacing it. There are many other roofing materials that meet ceramic tile’s fire retardant capability but with a lower weight.
Learn About the Roofing Process
- Take away all shingles and place them in a dumpster. Any valley flashing or drip edging that is damaged or worn out should also be removed.
- If the roof is in good shape, make minor repairs. If not, replace damaged wood with plywood sheathing or 1×6 sheathing boards. Whichever applies to your roof type.
- Apply asphalt roofing paper to the roof sheathing. This layer creates an internal barrier against water entering the house. As they reach the peak, rows of roofing paper are overlapping and stapled or tacked in place.
- Use metal drip edging to trim the roof’s edge, on both the eave and gable sides. You should nail the metal edge over the roofing paper/ice guard.
- Apply a new valley flashing to areas where two roofs meet. You should attach the valley flashing to the roofing deck, and sealed with roofing caulk.
- Install the tab shingles starting at the roof vents and moving up to the peak. Tab shingles are used for roof vents.
- Flashing should be applied around any areas where water may leak into your house, such as around the chimney, skylights, stack vents, and so on.
- Install the ridge vent: This continuous vent at the roof’s peak will improve air circulation and help prevent winter ice dams. To provide air circulation, alternative roofs or gable vents can be used if ridge vents are not feasible.
- Clean up the area and take away all debris. Have the installation inspected by a certified building inspector.
We hope you learned more about roof replacement basics. If you are looking for a roofer to replace your worn-out roof, then HD Roofers should be your first and only choice. The company has been around for many years and has a good reputation in the market. Contact us today!
