Living in South Florida, roofs can take a beating from the elements: particularly during hurricane season. If you notice missing shingles on your roof, or roof leaks through the ceiling, it could be signs that your roof needs to be replaced. This process involves removing the current roof first, which can be a lengthy process depending on the size and condition of the original roof, the materials used, and more.
The experienced roofing contractors at ABC Roofing explain what you can expect during a roof removal in South Florida.
How Long Can A Roof Removal Take?
The exact amount of time a roof removal takes can’t be guaranteed, as there are several factors involved:
Size Of Your Home
Not surprisingly, the roof of a smaller home will take less time to remove than the roof of a larger home. A standard-sized, one-story house, for example, will take most of the day depending on the time of year, whereas a larger home may take all day, and at times an additional day.
Materials Being Removed
Some materials have a more complex removal process than others, the amount of removal time could depend on whether your roof is composed of shingles, metal, tile, etc.
Amount Of Cleanup And Debris
The roof removal process is one thing; cleanup at the end is another. Responsible roofing contractors won’t leave a mess behind for the homeowners to deal with. Some materials, such as clay or slate shingles, are heavy and will require more time to remove.
Condition Of The Existing Roof
A roof in better condition will be a much faster job than one that isn’t; the latter requires more preparation and possibly more workers. It also means that more materials will need to be replaced: the decking, underlayment, flashing, and more. This is all to maintain the structural integrity of the roof, keeping your home and everything in it safe and protected from the elements.
What To Expect During A Roof Removal
Here is what you can expect on that big day:
Preparing And Protecting Your Property
Roof removal can be messy and precautions should be taken to protect your property by covering walls, plants, decor, patio furniture, etc with a tarp, keeping your yard safe from damage. Homeowners should also take care to keep children and pets inside, out of the way of workers. This keeps everyone safe and will help the removal process go more efficiently. Also be aware that young children, older folks, and pets may be affected by the noise that is generated by the roof removal and nailing of the materials
Carefully Removing The Existing Roof
Once the surrounding property is protected, your roofing contractor will begin the removal process. This allows a contractor to inspect the decking and flashing underneath before proceeding with the replacement.
Conducting A Thorough Inspection
Every job begins and ends with an inspection. Damaged materials are removed and replaced to maintain the integrity of the structure underneath
Preparing The Roof Surface
Once the initial inspection is complete, and the roof is deemed in good enough condition to safely work on, the contractors will clean the surface and replace any damaged wood, install a drip edge around the perimeter, and prepare the deck for the new underlayment.
Installing The New Roof
Once the roof underlayment is complete, an inspection of some kind will be obtained (depending on the local code body), once that is secured, the shingles, tile, and metal will be installed.
Cleaning Up And Final Inspection
Your roofing contractors should leave the property just as they found it and a final inspection of the roof conducted. This ensures nothing was left undone, and no damages were overlooked or incurred during the process.
Roof Removal In South Florida
To keep your roof in good condition, and to get an idea of when to start budgeting for a new one, we recommend having regular roof inspections. Maintaining the condition of your roof can help prevent small damages from becoming bigger, and often more expensive ones.
ABC Roofing has proudly served the residents of South Florida for over thirty years. For roofing repairs big and small, we are a trusted name in the business for residential and commercial roofs.
For questions or concerns about the condition of your roof, or to get a quote, call today at 954-344-4622.
