The roof of your home is probably one of the most critical, and overlooked features. Ensuring that your roof is in good condition to withstand all types of bad weather, is crucial to keeping your family safe and secure. If you’re at all concerned about the quality of your roof, there’s no time like the present to get a new roof installation. Installing a new roof on your home is not a simple process and ensuring that you get a high-quality roof installation should be a top priority for homeowners.
There are many do’s and don’ts of roof installation, and having a good understanding of the process will give you a better idea of what to expect from your roofing contractor. Here we give you a breakdown of what goes into a roof installation or replacement:
1. Removing Your Old Roof
If you are replacing your old roof with a new one, then the first step will be to remove the old roof. When installing a new roof, it is not recommended to simply add new layers on top of the old ones, as this could damage the structural integrity of the roof. It is best to remove all of the old layers and completely rebuild them. Removing the old roof is a dangerous and intricate job that should always be left to a professional roofing contractor. As the homeowner, if you want to be around for the job then you should always have on the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and watch out for any falling debris.
2. Conduct A Roof Evaluation
Once the old roof has been removed, the next step is to conduct an evaluation of what’s left behind. Roof sheathing is what is left behind and what provides support for the new materials to be added when installing your new roof. The roof sheathing should be inspected, and any trouble areas must be repaired or replaced before going ahead with the new build.
3. Protect Against Rainfall
We experience heavy rains during the summer months in South Florida – especially during hurricane season. So, it’s important to make sure your new roof is built to prevent any damage that can come along with heavy rainfall. Your roofing contractor will likely install a water barrier around the edges of your roof that is nailed down for added stability against strong winds. This water barrier gives your new roof extra protection to prevent leaks and further damage.
4. Adding The Drip Edge
Once the water barrier has been installed, the next step is to add another layer of protection from leaks and water damage. Your roofing contractor will do this by adding the drip edge to the bottom layer of the roof. The drip edge goes on top of the water barrier and prevents water from running over the inside of the roof siding and risking any leaks.
5. Install The Roofing Underlayment
The next step is to choose and install the roofing underlayment. Roofing underlayment is made from water-resistant materials and can come in two degrees of thickness to choose from – #15 and #30. You’ll need to decide on which thickness you’d prefer, with the #30 being twice as thick and durable than the #15. You’ll then need to decide between a felt paper underlayment or synthetic, where the synthetic products are more durable.
The roofing underlayment then gets rolled along the edge of the roof and should be secured in place with cap roof nails, being careful not to have them go through the drip edge. It is important the roofing underlayment is installed correctly to protect your roof from heavy windblown rain – which is especially prevalent during hurricane season in South Florida.
6. Install Roofing Shingles
Once the roofing underlayment is secured and dry, it is time to install the roofing shingles. An important step after the shingles have been installed is to paint all of the roofing pipes and vents so that they match the color of your newly installed shingles and everything blends into one.
7. The Final Cleanup
The final step to expect from your roof installation is the final cleanup. Once your roofing contractor has finished the job, they should do one last inspection to make sure everything is in order and to clean up any fallen debris around your yard. This is an important step in finishing the job, as any stray nails or sharp objects could be harmful to your family.
Choosing A Roofing Contractor For Your Roof Installation
Your roof is an important part of making sure you have a safe and secure home, and every homeowner deserves to have a roofing contractor they can trust to do a good job. Our Roofing experts at ABC Roofing Corp. have years of experience and are here to attend to all of your roofing needs. Give ABC Roofing a call for your roof installation at 954-344-4622 or subscribe to our roofing videos to find out more.
