Getting a roof replacement is important, but getting a good roof replacement is even more important. So what goes into a roof replacement, and what are things to consider when replacing a roof?
As with any home improvement, it’s not necessarily going to be a fast task, and how long it takes to replace the roof will depend on the existing roof, its potential problems that need to be addressed, and the type of new roof that you’re getting. The replacement process doesn’t have to take long, but it will be an intensive project, and your life is going to be disrupted for a few days.
A lot of things need to happen in a roof replacement, and each one takes time. As a rule of thumb, a standard 2000-square-foot house can have the roof replaced in 1-3 days, but there are always exceptions. If the roof has a particularly steep pitch, or if the roof is hard to access because of yard features like pools and trees, or if the roof needs major structural repairs, then the process is going to take longer.
The first thing that the roofing company will do is to prepare your yard and the surrounding area for removing your old roof. This will include obvious things such as moving vehicles, lawn furniture, and children's toys. But it will also require tarps to be spread to catch falling debris–this is done to make sure that no nails or shingles wind up in your lawn. This site is often known as the dump zone and may be in one or two specific areas of your yard.
Next, the roofers will tear off the existing shingles or tiles. Sometimes roofing companies may want to put new shingles over the old, but this isn’t considered good practice and can lead to problems like leaks or breakage of roofing materials. Ask your roof inspector when they’re planning the roof replacement project what they plan to do about the existing asphalt shingles; if they are going to roof over them, that’s a big red flag.
At this point, any roof repairs will take place. This could be something as simple as pounding in some loose nails, or it could involve replacing sheathing and even beams in the roof. If you’ve had water damage inside your attic or house then you will likely need some structural repairs to make sure that the existing wood is still at full strength and not going to collapse.
Most of this is going to be determined before the roof replacement ever takes place via a roof inspection. The inspector can make all the necessary plans for the roofing replacement process, and they will very seldom be surprised by anything they find once they tear off the old roof deck.
Now that the roof has been repaired, the roofers will lay down the new roofing materials. This could be shingles or tiles or metal, or, in some cases, wood shakes or slate. This process is meticulous but will move quickly as the roof has been prepared in all the previous stages for this intensive job.
Now you will be able to see what your house is going to look like, so you’ll know what to expect when you’re getting a new roof.
Roofing and gutters seem like they go together, but the gutter system is not always replaced with the roof. Talk to your roofing inspector before the job starts to let them know if you want the gutters replaced.
You will now be the owner of a perfect new roof, and you won’t need to worry about going through the trouble again for decades. Having a new roof gives you peace of mind and helps you know that your home will be able to weather most any storm and that you won’t be plagued with leaks or damage.