Knowing what’s involved in the process makes it easier to ensure your roof is installed properly. Before any work takes place, you’ll want to get a quote from a licensed roofer. Once you’ve decided on one, here’s what you can expect during the process.
1. Take Off the Old Roofing
Roofers do install new shingles over old shingles sometimes, but it should not be done. Sometimes the homeowner and contractor are in a financial bind and that’s why it is done. However, this is not good for the shingle and avoids all warranty. So you should remove your entire roof down to the wooden decking or sheathing before building it back up.
2. Survey the Roof’s Condition
With the roof off, the decking or sheeting should be carefully checked to ensure that any moist spots, rot or other damage are replaced prior to rebuilding the roofing material.
3. Provide Ice Protection, Drip Edge and Underlayment
Colorado is known for its icy winters, so adding ice and water barrier protects your roof’s bottom edge and valleys. You’ll also want to add drip edge to the lower edge of the roof before underlayment, and the sides of the roof after to protect your roof’s edges. Finally, you’ll add underlayment to the roof, with 15# felt paper being less durable than 30#, but synthetic being more durable than either.
4. Roof Installation
4a. Install Metal Roofing
Because most homes aren’t perfectly square, start by running a chalk line at the base of the roof’s peak to align your metal roof panels on. Get your first piece laid in square to the roof, then secure the screws one ridge at the time. Add the next piece and continue from there. Once all panels are in place, add a ridge vent with a waterproof sealer underneath it and put the ridge cap in place on top of it.
4b. Install Asphalt Shingles
Run a row of starter shingles at the bottom roof edge and nail them in place, then lay the first full strip of shingles near the bottom corner of the roof. Fasten it with six nails just below the tar line, then proceed from one side to the other. For each new row, stagger the roofing to prevent potential leak points, making the broken sections overlap rather than lining up, then fasten with four nails for each shingle for every row up to five inches from the peak. Use ridge cap shingles to overlap, covering the prior’s shingles nails with the current shingle. Add roofing cement over the exposed nails on the end.
5. Sealing Roof Vents and Pipes
As you work around vents and pipes, you’ll need to add flashing and sealant to keep these areas from leaking.If you need residential roof repair Littleton CO contractor EcoShield Exteriors is ready to help. Our extensive background includes residential roof repair Littleton CO homeowners rave about! Please contact us today to get started.
