How to Plan a Roof Replacement Process?

Regardless of whether you want to boost your home’s value or improve its energy efficiency, you should bear in mind that replacing the roof is no small endeavor. There are many things to take into account and you definitely need to plan everything well. To help you out, we collected some advice when it comes to the roof replacement process, so take a look.

 

Make sure to prepare well

It is essential that you plan in advance. In case you are doing it yourself with the help of a few friends, you will need to get proper safety equipment and tools. You also have to protect the rest of your property, so get some tarps and protection plywood to cover walls and surrounding plants. Don’t forget about waste disposal either, so get containers where everything will go. Furthermore, you should check the weather to make sure the conditions will be favorable.

On the other hand, in case you decide to have professional do this for you, they will usually take care of this themselves. They have the right tools and are experienced when it comes to waste disposal and site protection.

 

How to Plan a Roof Replacement Process?

Remove the old roofing material and dispose of it

Now, before you can install a new roof, you have to remove the old roofing material. Depending on the type of roof, you will have to take a different approach. If you have shingles, a shingle fork should be pushed under them and pried upwards until they are loose. You should start at the top and slowly move down. All the material that is removed should be put in the garbage bins to avoid creating a mess.

However, if you have a metal roof, you can use a drill or a full-size pry bar to loosen the fasteners which are keeping the panels in place. Take the panels down one by one until all of them are removed.

 

Inspect the roof and repair the damage

When inspecting the roof, you need to look for wet, rotten or soft wood. If you find any, it needs to be replaced in order to have a solid base for the roof. Inspect the wood sheeting as well and make sure it is attached properly; re-nail the whole decking to ensure the stability of the roof and allow the shingles to be safely and securely installed.

In case you are not sure exactly what you are dealing with, you can consult with experts from MLR Slate Roofing as they have plenty of experience when it comes to inspecting and repairing roofs. Taking care of any potential damage properly and on time will prevent future problems.

How to Plan a Roof Replacement Process?

Prepare the surface for the new roof

Preparing the surface before you install a new roof is vital to avoid damp and rot in the future.  Install the drip edge and flashing around chimneys, vents, and valleys. Then, you need to lay an ice and water barrier. Put it under the drip edge and fasten everything to the roof; after that, you can start installing the underlayment. Start from the edge of the roof and make sure the rows overlap and are properly nailed and fastened.

 

Install the new roofing

If you’ve decided to do this on your own, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to installation. Make sure to start from the bottom and make your way up. Starter shingles should be used on the sides and bottom. Pay attention to how you are arranging the shingles as any gaps could result in leaks. Moreover, make sure that the nails are just under the tar strip and that no heads can be seen.

In case you are installing a metal roof, you should screw the panel into the ridges and not into the flats. This will protect the screws from standing water. Moreover, you should get quality screws with wide rubber washers as that will give them maximum protection and coverage.

How to Plan a Roof Replacement Process?

Conduct a final inspection

Once you are finished with the new roof, you should make sure everything is correctly installed. Check that there are no accidentally cracked or broken shingles or any gaps between them, make sure no nails are sticking out and that everything is fastened properly. This is vital as a new roof can last for decades depending on the material so you don’t want to have to do major repairs anytime soon.

 

Clean up the site

Now that the new roof is done, you have to get rid of all the debris and unused material. If you were using garbage bins and containers, your job should be easy – just transport them to a facility that deals with these materials. Clean all the dust and dirt around the site and remove the protective tarp.

 

There you go, the roof replacement process from beginning to end. While you can do this yourself, in case you are not sure you are skilled enough, it might be better to turn to professionals as they will deal with this in no time and leave no mess behind.