From keeping your house weather tight to boosting its curb appeal, a roof does a lot. But when it’s time to replace yours, the process can be a bit confusing.
Before the work begins, relocate outdoor furniture and cover foundation plants. Also, make sure to clear the area of clutter and tuck away loose items. Visit https://www.corpuschristiroofingco.com/ to learn more.
A roof replacement is a major home project. In addition to repairing or replacing the roof itself, it also involves preparing your home and landscaping for the work, as well as protecting your belongings from dust and debris. Here are some tips to help the process run smoothly and protect your property.
Inside the house, it is a good idea to remove pictures and other wall hangings, especially if they are light or fragile. The hammering and movement of the roofing crew can cause vibrations that may loosen or damage these items, so it is better to be safe than sorry. Also, make sure to move any items from shelves or tables that could be knocked over by the construction crew. Then, cover your belongings with tarps and plastic sheets to prevent them from getting wet or damaged.
Outside the home, you can prepare your yard by removing outdoor furniture and decorations and moving any potted plants or movable sculptures into your garage. The roofing contractors will put tarps over these areas to keep them clean and protected during the process. They will also need access to power for tools like saws, so it is a good idea to have exterior electrical outlets available. If not, it is a good idea to get some extension cords ahead of time and to mark them clearly to avoid tripping accidents.
Your gutters should be cleaned of any leaves and debris as well. Clogged gutters can cause water to seep into places it shouldn’t, which can lead to leaky roofs and other issues. It’s a good idea to have a professional inspect your gutters before the roof installation so they can recommend any necessary repairs.
Finally, you should arrange for children and pets to stay at Grandma’s or another family member’s house during the roofing process. The noise and commotion can be disruptive to young children and pets, and they may get frustrated or scared by the noise and activity. Plus, they can easily be injured by falling debris.
Installation
The roof installation process involves several stages, including removing old materials, making repairs, installing underlayment materials and finally putting in the new material. Professionals typically finish the job within one to five days, depending on the size of the roof and how much work is required. During the installation process, it is important to follow all safety precautions, as well as any instructions from your roofing contractor.
During the planning stage, your roofer will help you choose the best materials for your home, based on weather conditions, architectural style and budget. There are many options available, from asphalt shingles to tile and metal panels. Choosing the right material will protect your home from weather elements and improve energy efficiency.
Before starting the actual roof replacement, your contractor will likely order all necessary materials and have them delivered to the job site. They will also remove the existing shingles and other materials, which can be messy and dangerous.
Once the old materials have been removed, a waterproof underlayment will be installed over the sheathing or decking, to protect it from moisture. The underlayment is often made of felt or some synthetic material. It is then nailed down with a nail gun, using a pattern that includes close nails near the edges and larger nails further from the center.
Next, your contractor will install the new shingle layer. If you opted for an asphalt shingle roof, the shingles are usually laid in layers, staggered and nailed together with small nails. If you opted for a metal roof, the panels are screwed into place. A quality roofer will pay close attention to detail at this stage, so that the final product is watertight and attractive.
To provide additional protection, your roofer will install flashing around chimneys, vents and joints. They will also install special shingles to cover the ridge, which is the top of the roof. This is a crucial step that is often overlooked by less-experienced roofers, but it helps ensure that your new roof will be leak-free for years to come.
Once the new shingles or metal are in place, your roofer will caulk and nail down any exposed raw edges to seal them. They will also apply a coat of protective paint to the entire surface, which can prevent moisture damage and enhance curb appeal.
Cleanup
During the roof installation, it’s important to cover any nearby plants, furniture, grills, or lawn ornaments with large tarps. This will help protect them from debris during the tear-off process and make it easier to remove and dispose of old materials. Also, if you have sentimental or valuable items stored in your attic during a roof replacement, it’s best to clear them out and store them somewhere else in the house for the duration of the project. The attic is where most of the dust and debris will accumulate, so tarps can help prevent damage to things like photos and antiques.
Once the roofing crew is finished with the actual work on your roof, they’ll begin the cleanup process. This will include removing any old shingles and underlayment from your property and disposing of them properly. They’ll also clean up any debris that accumulated around windows, gutters, and siding. They may also use a pressure washer to remove any residual tar and stains from the roof.
This is another area where it can be helpful to have a dumpster on site to keep all the debris and waste organized. This can save you a lot of time and effort. It can also help to minimize any potential environmental issues or violations of local waste disposal regulations.
In addition to cleaning up the work area, the roofers will also sweep the entire yard for any stray nails or other debris that might have gotten away from the job site. This will be done either by hand or with a blower. Depending on the size of your roof, they may even vacuum up debris from underneath the eaves or in the valleys.
The final step in the cleanup process is to perform a thorough inspection. This will be done to ensure that the roof has been installed properly and meets any applicable industry standards. It’s also a good idea to have this done before the weather turns colder, as it can be difficult or impossible for your roofers to complete the inspection in inclement weather.
Final Inspection
The final inspection is a vital step in any construction project. Depending on the city and state, passing this inspection will ensure that the building is up to code for occupation. Generally, builders should be prepared for the final inspection by ensuring that any items identified in prior or interim inspections have been corrected and by completing a final walk-through with the inspector.
Many building inspectors have their own checklists that they use for the final inspection. Some checklists are specific to a type of building, while others sort checklist items by systems, such as electrical, plumbing, or natural gas. Contractors should always be ready to provide the inspector with any documentation they have on file and should keep detailed, accurate records of construction throughout the process.
When preparing for the final inspection, contractors should check with local authorities to make sure they have all the necessary permits in place before starting work. They will then assemble the necessary materials, such as underlayment and fasteners, and start removing the old roofing material from the roof surface. The installers will be careful to remove the roofing shingles or tiles slowly to avoid damaging the roof decking. The installers will also check the flashing (metal sheeting installed at the valleys and joints on the roof) and drip edge to ensure they are still in good condition.
Once the roofers have removed all of the roofing material, they will evaluate the underlayment to make sure it is still in good shape and that it is properly anchored to the sheathing. They will then install a water barrier, such as a drip edge or a felt underlayment, on the edges of the roof to prevent damage from heavy rains. The roofers will also inspect the chimney, vents, and ridge cap to ensure they are in good condition.
After the underlayment and shingle or tile materials are in place, the roofers will do a final walk-through with the inspector to make sure all issues are resolved. The roofing contractor should notify the building inspector of any uncorrected items that pose a safety risk and give a timeframe for when those issues will be addressed.