How Does Roof Replacement Work
When we hear about roof replacement, we first think of severe weather or natural disasters. However, most of us fail to acknowledge that our roofs wont last forever and will eventually need to be replaced.
When the moment to overhaul your roof arrives, you may discover that roof replacement is a complex, time-consuming, and expensive process that needs to be handled by a professional roof expert. However, before replacing your old roof, it would help if you understood the roof replacement process.
This blog will lay down the intricacies of roof replacement, but before we get into the details, lets try and define what roof replacement is!
Fold Flashing Over The Peak
Cut the flashing back to the peak along each crease. Then fold the flashing over the peak and cover the cut ends with self-stick underlayment. Roof valleys channel a lot of water, so they need extra protection. Start by installing self-stick underlayment on the decking. This process is much easier with two people. Cut the underlayment to size , and peel off the entire plastic backer. With a person on each end, fold the underlayment in on itself, sticky side out. Then lay it into the valley and unfold it. Try to push it down into the crease of the valley as tightly as possible. If this self-stick ice-and- water underlayment bridges both sides of the decking, leaving a gap underneath, it could tear once you install the metal valley flashing. Run the underlayment past the drip edge at the eaves, and trim off the extra with a utility knife. Once it’s smooth, nail it down on the outside edges.
Finish installing felt paper on the rest of the roof, overlapping the self-stick underlayment. Be careful when you trim back the felt paper so you don’t slice into the underlayment. Photo 7 shows the underlayment covering the felt on one edge a couple of inches. This will keep water farther away from the inside corner of the fascia. You can extend the center out even more but not so far that water overshoots your gutters if you have them.
How Are Box Vents Installed
This type of vent is installed over a hole cut in the roof. From the ground, they look like a low-profile metal box sitting on top of the shingles. Unlike a singular ridge vent, you will likely need to install more than one box vent depending on the square footage of your attic.
Similar to ridge vents, box vents rely on the natural wind and air pressure to remove warm air and moisture from the attic. One advantage of box vents is the reduced cost of investment.
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Roof Replacement Project Duration
The amount of time a contractor needs to replace a roof depends on various factors like the roof size, the experience of the crew, and the type of roofing materials. Extensive and sophisticated roof types will require more time to complete.
Regarding the roofing materials, Asphalt roofs are the fastest to install as they can be completed in a day. Metal roofs may require a day or two to complete, depending on the size of the home. Other materials, such as slate, wooden slate, or tiles, can take up to a week due to their bulky nature.
Diy Vs Hiring A Professional
Basic gutter cleaning and repair are possible for savvy homeowners, but professionals should handle the bulk of roof repair. Roof repair is dangerous and complex work, and some insurance policies and warranties may require professional, licensed roofers to do it. Get quotes from several roof repair companies near you prioritize pricing when you can, but if the work is urgent, you may want to go with whichever roofer can start the soonest.
Find a Local Roofer Near You
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Use Your Home Warranty If You Have One
A home warranty is kind of like an insurance policy you pay for it hoping youll never need it. The annual premium varies depending on your plan and your home state, but should cover you if a major home system breaks down. The typical cost, according to Home Advisor, can range anywhere from $219 to $1,704 per year.
If your roof damage is covered, the only additional money you should shell out is for a service fee to file a claim, usually to the tune of $50 to $100. Again, every policy is different.
Roofers Evaluate Your Roofs Overall Condition
When it comes to weathering a storm, getting help from professionals is a wise decision. When roofs are damaged, it can be easy for water to get inside and cause serious issues. The sooner you call in a roofing expert to assess your roof, the better.
Roofers can provide patch-up repairs that will help stabilize your roofs condition and make it less likely to collapse in heavy winds or another passing strong rain. In addition, theyll record every flaw they encounter on your roof as they provide remedies long enough for insurance adjusters can inspect the roof with their specialist.
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How To Obtain The Necessary Documents
Along with a contract outlining all the work being done, you’ll also need two more documents. The first is a building permit, which will validate your warranty and ensure that your contractor follows the building code. The second is a letter from your contractor’s insurance company, addressed to you, that says the project is covered. Your roofing contractor should be the one to get these documents from your local government, however you may need to sign off on them as the owner.
Roof Replacement Or Reroof
Now that weve gone over roof repair basics lets talk about roof replacement and reroofing. Before you go searching through new roof options, consider a reroof.
A roof replacement requires taking everything off and starting from scratch. A reroof, on the other hand, means installing new shingles over the existing ones. It typically takes less time and is less expensive. Because the original structure remains the same, you won\t need a permit. However, your roof can only handle a reroof once. If this is your first time using a roofing service, you may want to add this to your list of considerations.
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Person Who Controls A Place Of Work
In relation to a place of work, a person who controls a place of work means a person who is:
- the owner, lessee, sublessee, occupier, or person in possession, of the place or any part of it or
- the owner, lessee, sublessee, or bailee, of any plant in the place.
For the purposes of working at height, this may include the lessor of mechanical plant or a scaffold supplier/installer.
Persons who control the place of work are also responsible for the health and safety of visitors and contractors.
Inspections of roofs are sometimes made by persons other than workers, such as owners, architects, and engineers who are not conversant with safety requirements for working at height. The person who controls the place of work shall make sure anyone accessing a roof has sufficient knowledge of the hazards associated with working at height and has the skills and knowledge and experience to work safely.
Ridge Vents Dont Allow For Consistent Ventilation
When youre going to the trouble of installing a vent, you want the airflow to be consistent. How well ridge vents work depends highly on the energy-efficiency of the home.
You have to have air movement towards the vent for it to work correctly. If not, youre going to run into more problems down the line.
If the rest of your house doesnt have circulation, a ridge vent isnt going to be your best option. Something to consider is whether or not you have baffles installed in your home.
If you dont, a ridge vent will provide you with no ventilation. Another part of the ventilation issue is that you have to have air crossing over the vent for it to work.
This is why youll find ridge vents on roofs, which brings me to the next issue.
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Signs Of Poor Ventilation
We briefly touched on the signs of poor ventilation with our myth-busting guide, but there are a few other key signs to watch out for that can indicate a poorly ventilated roof.
- Recurrent ice dams.
- Unusually high energy or heating bills.
- Visible damage inside your home, like peeling paint or bubbled ceiling.
How To Pick The Right Material
Picking your roofing material is a very significant decision. Examine how a material looks, how much it costs and how long it will last. Asphalt roofing shingles are one of the most affordable materials, but they also have a short life span. Metal and concrete shingles are better options for longevity.
Wooden shingles offer you an elegant, classic look, excellent insulation and the ability to customize to make your roof truly unique.
Traditional roofing materials such as slate, asphalt and shakes offer durability and longevity. You can even opt for elegant metal roofs that can replicate the looks of those materials while providing even better durability and aesthetics. These materials may be more expensive than your typical asphalt shingles, but they can also last much longer, make your home more attractive and boost its value.
You may be tempted to go with the same roofing material you had on your previous roof, but it’s important to consider your other options to see how you can improve. It can help to hire a professional to examine your roof and help you determine which roofing materials would be the best choice for you.
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Can You Roof A House Yourself
Make no bones about itroofing is hard work. Theres no hiding from the elements. You cant be afraid of heights and you need to be pretty fit. Before committing to this how to roof a house project, try this: Get out a ladder and climb up onto your roof. If you cant walk around on it comfortably, hire a pro. If you passed this first test, go to the lumberyard or home center and throw a bundle of shingles onto your shoulder. Imagine yourself carrying that load up a laddermany, many times.
If youre still feeling positive about this how to roof a house at this point, why not give it a shot? You can skip a lot of heavy lifting by having your roofing supplier hoist the shingles onto the roof. Be sure you spread the load evenly across the length of the roofs peak. However, dont have the shingles delivered to the roof if you still have two layers of old shingles to tear offit could be too much weight for your trusses.
After youve obtained a permit and safely stripped the roof clean, nail drip edge flashing flush along the eave.
Cover the rest of the roof with No. 15 asphalt-saturated felt underlayment . Each layer overlaps the lower one by at least 2 in. Follow this step by nailing drip edge along rakes , on top of the underlayment. As you did with the flashing, always lap upper pieces over lower pieces. The felt keeps the roof deck dry before shingles go on, protects against wind-driven rain as shingles fail and increases fire resistance.
What Does A 50 Year Roof Mean
A 50-year shingle, however, utilizes tougher materials during the manufacturing process. This upgrade is immediately noticeable. Your 50-year roof will withstand freezing hail, strong winds, and sudden downpours. Such weather will take a toll, but with regular roofing maintenance, you can combat such damages with ease!
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Solar Powered Attic Vents
Solar-powered attic vents, or solar attic fans, as theyre also known, have become very popular for domestic applications in recent years. They work the same as an extractor fan or powered vent but use built-in solar panel energy.
The solar roof vent falls into the exhaust vent category and is thus mounted as high as possible on the roof. Solar-powered vents are reliant on the sun to work effectively.
Solar-powered attic fans are a great alternative to traditional hard-wired power attic vents. The power used to drive the fans motor is derived from the sun, ensuring ongoing free energy and ventilation, apart from the initial purchase cost.
Solar-powered attic vents generally dont deliver the same extraction volume as hard-wired power attic vents due to the limited solar panel and motor size. It may thus be necessary to install multiple units to meet the required extraction volume.
Solar-powered attic fans get power from sunlight, so they are only suited to areas where sunshine is abundant. In areas where weather conditions arent favorable to solar throughout the year, Solar-powered you may use attic fans with other vent options.
Cover Belongings In The Attic
During a roof replacement, numerous installers will be walking on your roof, pounding it with hammers. Dust or small debris will fall in attic spaces during a new roof installation.
You can keep personal items cleaner by covering them with old sheets or drop cloths until the roofing company is finished. Be prepared to do some light vacuuming in these areas after construction is complete.
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What Are The Supply Costs For A Roof Vent
Well now look at the supply or material costs only of having a roof vent installed.
These costs exclude the price of labour and other expenses such as any waste removal.
In general, the supply cost of fitting a roof vent makes up about half of the overall cost.
As a result, it would cost around £180 to £220 to purchase four tile vents, £130 to £170 for four ride vents, or £100 to £150 to get twenty eaves vents.
The material costs of four ridge and twenty eaves vents would be about £230 to £270, whereas the standalone cost of four tiles + 20 eaves vents or four ridge and four tile vents would be approximately £280 to £320.
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Assessment Of The Roofing Material
Roofing material deteriorates with age and does not perform as it did when it was installed. Before commencing work on an existing roof, inspect it thoroughly to determine its strength. This should, when possible, include inspection from inside the building as well as externally.
Check the fixing and strength of safety mesh, paying particular attention to any signs of heavy corrosion.
If there is sarking or an underlay, this will inhibit the close inspection of the sheeting.
Excessive sagging or deflection of the trusses/rafters may indicate deterioration of the structure. Strengthen any suspect areas of roof support with temporary props.
If there has been a fire, the structure must be certified as safe to work on by a structural engineer.
Skylights and penetrations left for the installation of air-conditioning can be a danger to roof workers. Fibreglass or plastic sheeting skylights should be checked and added to the interior plan of the roof so that hazard controls can be put in place to prevent the potential of a fall.
Even skylights with safety mesh can create a hazard as the worker can still break through and while not fall to the ground, could still receive cuts from jagged edges.
Brittle roofing consists of any flat, trough, or corrugated material such as asbestos cement, plastic, or glass, whether reinforced or otherwise, or any other roofing material that, due to its properties, age, or weathering, will not safely support a person at all points on its surface.
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Removing The Existing Roof Materials
Prior to actually replacing your roof, all of the old materials need to be removed right down to the plywood. Do not be surprised if it takes time before you see your new roof being installed. Once your shingles are removed, all of your flashing or vents must be removed as well. There are also other elements that need to be removed before your new roof is installed. You will notice the roofing contractor keeps all of their materials together and in order. This enables them to remain organized while walking around your roof safely.
Can Roofers Install A Roof In The Rain
Your roof is there to protect your home from moisture, wind, and rain. During the roof installation, delicate parts of your home are exposed to the elements, parts that are never meant to deal with moisture, from either a driving rain or even high humidity. When your roof is being installed, its important that it happens in as dry of conditions as possible, as any moisture present during installation could cause damage and compromise your roof.
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What Happens If It Starts To Rain
If a few drops start to fall or a sudden shower pops up, your roofers should be prepared. They will have materials to cover any exposed parts of your roof as quickly as possible to protect it from damage. Oriented strand board is made of layers that contain wax or resin, and the edges are treated to be resistant to moisture, so a few drops are not likely to cause any lasting damage. Still, if the wood gets wet, it will need to be allowed to dry completely before work can continue. This is because wood swells when it absorbs moisture, and any materials attached to the deck could trap that moisture in.
Roofing contractors know not to install a roof in wet conditions. They wont continue to install a roof in the rain, but will wait until the site is dry and safe for your roof and your roofing installation crew.
