If you’re looking to get a new roof, the roofing installation process is an important one. Getting the roof right the first time will help ensure your home is protected from the elements for years to come.
To start, a professional roofer will install underlayment. Then, they’ll install the first course of shingles. These shingles overlap and are nailed in with cap nails that are close together at the edge.
Roofing installation is a meticulous process that requires careful planning and attention to detail. While most roof issues can be addressed by a reputable professional, homeowners should understand the steps involved in order to anticipate any potential challenges and make their home as ready as possible for the work to begin.
Before the roofing crew arrives, it’s important to clear any obstacles from around the house and yard. This includes toys, patio furniture and potted plants. Having a 15-foot radius of clearance makes it easier for the roofers to access the roof from all sides without worrying about getting tripped up on anything or damaging outdoor items by accident.
The same applies inside the home. The vibrations of hammers and nail guns can knock pictures off the wall, so it’s a good idea to take these down ahead of time and pack them away for the duration of the project. This also goes for shelves and other decorations that could be susceptible to damage from hammering and vibrations.
Pets and children should also be kept away from the work area. Not only is the noise of hammers and nail guns stressful for animals, but it can also disrupt their normal routines, such as naps or outside playtime. It may be best to arrange for them to stay with friends or family during the roofing process, if at all possible.
Likewise, it’s important to mark or protect any particularly delicate or expensive trees or plants. The drop of a single shingle can easily cause serious and costly damage to these objects, so it’s best to place netting or tarp over them and make sure the roofers are aware of their location.
Underlayment
The next step of the process is installing the underlayment, which is a barrier material that goes between your roof deck and the roofing materials. This helps prevent water and ice from damaging your roof. It also provides an extra layer of protection for the underlying sheathing material, which is usually plywood or OSB.
The type of underlayment your contractor uses depends on your roof and your local building codes. You can choose from a variety of materials, including felt, self-adhered, and synthetic underlayment. Felt underlayment is one of the oldest options and still offers basic moisture resistance and sound absorption. It’s a good choice for most projects, though higher-density felt will offer better sound absorption and insulation.
Another popular option is self-adhered underlayment, which has a sticky back and adheres to the roof deck. This is a great option in leak-prone areas such as eaves, valleys, vents, chimneys, and skylights. It’s also easy to install and has a non-skid surface, which can make it safer for roofers to walk on when the weather is wet.
Synthetic underlayment is made from layers of polymers woven together and offers several benefits. It’s typically more durable than other types of underlayment and is available in a variety of thicknesses. You can even find underlayment with an R rating, which is a measure of its thermal insulation properties. While R-value isn’t an important factor when choosing a roofing material, it can help you save on your energy bill by keeping heat in during cold months and out during hot ones. It’s a good idea to check with your roofing manufacturer for the recommended thickness for your project.
Shingles
Roof work can be messy, and it’s best to lay down tarps where you’ll toss debris. This will save a lot of cleanup when you’re done.
You’ll also want to lay down tarps where you plan on walking during the roofing process. You’ll be climbing up and down on your roof a lot, so it’s important to have safe areas where you can stand. If you’re worried about falling, hire a professional.
The next step is to install the shingle course. Start with the first row, which is called a starter course or strip. This is the first full course of shingles and is installed by nailing each shingle into place. The first course should peek over the eaves and have the ends overlap the shingle beneath it by about half an inch. This is to provide an effective seal and prevent moisture from getting under the shingles.
Nail each shingle to the roof using roofing nails that follow the directions on the shingle package. You can use as many as six nails on each shingle, which provides extra wind resistance. Some cities require 6 nails on all sides of the roof, including the prevailing wind side.
There are some special areas on the roof that require flashing – places where the shingle layer is penetrated, interrupted or meets a wall. It’s important to complete these steps before you begin laying the shingles, because leaks will occur where they’re not.
Flashing
Once the underlayment is completely in place, it’s time to install flashing. This is a metal sheet that prevents water from seeping in around penetrations like chimneys, vent pipes, skylights and the edges of the roof.
Various shapes of flashing are used for different jobs. The most basic is an L-shaped piece of bent metal that covers the corner where a wall meets a roof. It is also used at the bottom of a roof/wall intersection, above a window or door and where a pipe enters the roof. There is also step flashing, which consists of multiple rectangles of flashing material that overlap each other in “steps.” This type is commonly used where chimneys and dormers penetrate the roof. Another form of flashing is continuous flashing, which is long pieces of metal that waterproof the areas where the roof meets a vertical wall. These types of flashings are usually installed in high wind areas, where the metal can resist uplift.
To create these flashings, a tool called a brake is fed an aluminum sheet from a coil and then bent into the desired shape. The fabricated flashing is then nailed to the roof and a caulking or roofing sealant is applied to ensure a secure, waterproof bond.
Other important details of the flashing process include ensuring it’s able to move with the building as it expands and contracts over time. This is especially important in high-wind areas, where uplift forces can cause the flashing to pull away from the walls or roof. Stabilit America offers a wide range of flashings that are suitable for these conditions, including high-performance FRP options. After the flashing is in place, a final inspection is conducted to make sure it meets all quality and safety standards. Then, a thorough cleanup is performed to remove all debris and leftover materials from the installation site.
Ridge Cap
A ridge is the peak of your roof, where two roof slopes meet. This area is vulnerable to harsh weather elements, such as wind and rain, which can cause leaks. Proper ridge capping can reduce these risks and protect the rest of your home’s structure.
For most roofing systems, a ridge cap is made of the same material as the shingles that cover the roof panels. However, it is thicker and pre-bent to easily fit along the ridge line of your roof. In addition, ridge caps have more adhesive surface areas to better shield your roof from water and snow.
Before starting ridge cap installation, make sure the roofing panel ridge lines are clean and free of sawdust, leftover building materials, dirt, or leaves. This will ensure a smooth ridge line and prevent water from seeping between gaps in the metal panels. Also, think about which way the ridge overlaps will face, as this can affect how well your ridge cap is installed.
Center the first piece of ridge cap on your building peak and mark its lower edges on both sides. Repeat this process for the rest of the ridge line. For a long ridge, this may mean making marks every 15 feet or so.
Once the ridge cap is in place, it can be secured with screws to ensure that it doesn’t deteriorate or fall off in severe weather. Use the shingle manufacturer’s instructions for exact fastener placement and type. If you’re using vented closure, be sure to seal any exposed screws.
Regular inspections of your roof are a critical part of protecting your home’s value and keeping you and your family safe from extreme weather. If you notice damage or potential leaks in your ridge, contact a qualified roofing contractor for professional repair and replacement.