Roofs can last 20 to 70 years, depending on the material and how well you maintain them. But natural disasters, severe weather, and normal wear and tear are things you cannot avoid. Any time the life expectancy ends, you notice cracks on shingles, looks saggy, leaks, or you see sunlight through the attic ceiling, you must decide on roof restoration vs replacement. Below are the steps you must follow during roof installation:
Step 1: Get All Required Permits
Permits are required to ensure the roof is installed according to local code and current state standards. So, the first thing to do after comparing your roof restoration vs replacement projects is to visit the state and local building departments. These include the Homeowners Association and the Architectural Review Board offices.
Community HOAs and ARBs may regulate the type of roofing materials used in the area and the type of roofs installed. For example, some areas may not allow flat roof replacements or installations due to drainage issues. Further, roofing material colors may also be regulated.
The permit process will allow you to learn the rules and hand them over to your local roofing contractor to ensure they carry out the project as required by the authority. Note that fees may apply when obtaining the permits. Confirm with your state building department.
Step 2: Choose the Right Contractor
According to statistics, there are 79,379 roofing services providers in the United States in 2023. This makes it very easy to find the right contractor. You can visit their offices or search for contractors near me online. However, consulting from friends and colleagues or searching on the internet or social media is the most effective way to get a reliable contractor.
According to statistics, 71% of businesses have websites. Also, 212.40 million small businesses worldwide use social media to reach customers. Additionally, around 65% of businesses get customers from referrals. With the internet, you can read the reviews and decide who fits your project. The referrals also assure quality services since the contractor has proved reliable.
Besides the reviews, when choosing a local roofer, check if they are licensed and insured. Additionally, gauge their communication and transparency, whether on a phone call or face-to-face. This is what reveals their professionalism and experience. The company must have workers’ compensation and liability insurance to cover your property in case of damage.
Step 3: Choose the Right Roofing Materials
Before beginning roof restoration vs replacement projects, you must decide where to source the materials. A contractor can help you find the best roofing material supplier. Luckily, you may land a contractor who supplies the materials. But you’d also want to compare prices from different suppliers so that you save a little money. A reliable and professional local roofer can connect you to the best local materials and contractors.
Ideally, visit the roofing material supplier or a manufacturer for better offers. Most suppliers offer free deliveries and have a wide range of roofing materials you may need for local roof repair. The most popular roofing materials you may find at the local supplier stall are:
- Asphalt composition shingles – asphalt shingles are the preferred roofing material option for many homeowners. They come in different colors and shapes, so you can choose which suits your home according to the HOA regulations. Moreover, they are affordable and popular
- Wood shakes – wood shakes are durable but expensive. They also give the home an aesthetic look, but unfortunately, they are not ideal for areas prone to fires
- Metal roofing – metal roofing materials are expensive but very durable. If you need to invest in an over 50 years project, go for metal roofing. If you live in a fire-prone area, metal roofing is ideal for you
- Slate – is the costliest and quite heavy roofing material in the market. If you want a high-end and appealing look for your home, go for slate. Composite slate is a more affordable slate-like material
- Tile – tiles are made of ceramic or clay. They are fire resistant but put a lot of weight on the roof. However, they give a home an appealing look
Once you choose your suitable material for roof restoration vs replacement projects, ensure they are delivered the day before the project starts. This will give the contractor an easy time installing the roofing.
Step 4: Set Up Safety and Protection of the Property
When the contractor arrives at your home for your roof restoration vs replacement task, they will start with ensuring safety. Setting up the job site involves moving items that can easily get damaged. These include pottery plants and outdoor furniture.
The second event before the roofing service starts is moving the cars out of the garage or driveways. Then the crew will set up the tarps to cover your landscaping from damage. It’s important to consider safety as a homeowner to help the contractor minimize damages. For instance, take your children and pets to a safe place while the project kicks off.
Step 5: Remove the Old Roofing Materials
Removing the old materials involves using special tools to ply out the tiles or any other roofing materials. The tools are spades or pitchforks. In either roof restoration vs replacement, these tools are essential because they ease the work. Normally, the crew will start from the edge and move, removing section by section.
After removing the main roofing materials, the roofers will remove the ridge vents and the metal flashing if damaged. Afterward, they proceed to the roofing paper. In most residential roofing services, the roofing paper is removed because it wears out with the roof. For example, if the roof has lasted for over 20 years, you don’t expect to reuse the paper. Years of exposure to heat weaken it.
Once the contractor has removed the paper, they will proceed to the wood decking. The wood decking is the last layer before you access the roof and attic space. This material also may wear after several years.
Step 6: Make Repairs on the Frame
If you had used wooden frames on the roofing, they must have some damage due to moisture and heat. The experts will check and replace the damaged parts with new wooden frames. This is where replacement wins when comparing roof restoration vs replacement. Most damage can appear on the leaking parts because water causes the wood to rot.
Metallic frames are also prone to rust due to moisture during winter. If the metals are rusted, the contractor must ensure they are treated for rust and repainted. And if the frames are badly damaged, they must have a welder replace the damaged parts to ensure the new roof will be firm. Metal roofing frames are the best if well-treated because they last over 50 years.
Step 7: Clean the Gutters and Ceiling
Vacuuming the ceiling is one of the most overlooked steps in roof replacement service. The space between the underlayment and the ceiling is where insects and rodents normally live. Birds can also build nests in this space despite being the hottest. As such, you will find many rodents, birds dropping, dead insects, and dust.
Remind the contractor to vacuum the area as they clean the gutters. This will remove the dust, which can accumulate and exert much pressure on the attic ceiling. Opening the upper side will make it easier to identify damaged ceiling parts.
Step 8: Add the Drip Edge
Drip edges are essential components of roofing. They are the first components you must install before carrying out other roof replacement exercises. They help redirect water from the fascia boards to the gutters. This prevents water from damaging the wooden fascia and running along the wall to the floor. In the market, drip edges are made of simple materials like galvanized steel, aluminum, or copper, which are affordable and easier to maintain.
Although the underlayment is not used in most roof restoration vs replacement projects, it’s essential to include them if you live in an area with harsh winters. The wood decking provides a uniform platform to lay the shingles easily. Ensure you have used strong woods like the black locust to prevent the roof from falling off.
Step 9: Install Wood Decking and Water Underlayment
The underlayment is a soft paper laid on the wood decking to prevent moisture from entering the ceiling. It plays a vital role in protecting the wood decking and lasts between 20 and 35 years.
Step 10: Nail the Metal Flashing to Prevent Leaks
Metal flashing is nailed on the roof valleys and around the chimney or vents. This helps to prevent water from seeping through the shingle edges to the interior. Although the underlayment can prevent water from reaching the ceiling, it’s necessary to completely prevent it from going beyond the exterior surface.
After the flashing is installed, the contractor will seal them with caulk for better protection. Metal flashing materials include lead, copper, aluminum, zinc alloy, and stainless steel. The roofing components come with coatings like galvanized steel, anodized aluminum, etc.
Step 11: Install New Roofing Materials
Once the metal flashing and other under material are laid, the outer roofing material laying starts. This is where you can mix older and newer materials depending on your roof restoration vs replacement goals. The time will vary depending on the material you choose to install.
For example, most expensive materials like slate can crack or break easily. So, they will require more time to install. The materials are normally laid from the slanting roof’s lower part upwards. The crew organizes the shingles depending on the rows and courses needed. After placing each row, they nail the shingle for the next row of shingles to cover the nail heads. The rows proceed to the upper part, where the ridge vents are installed as the final components.
Step 12: Install the Ridge Vents
Most contractors will leave a row to allow the ridge vent’s metal flashing installation. The ridge vent allows air circulation and is essential to home aesthetics. They are laid after the flashing is nailed around the top.
Ridge vents are normally made of aluminum or mesh material and are laid on top of the final top shingle layer. In most homes, ridge vents have a mushroom-shaped profile that enables water to flow in both directions. The capped design also prevents the wind from exerting much pressure on the roofing.
After the ridge vents are laid, the final rows will be completed on both sides, and most of the project will be complete. The experts look for the final touches like the skipped nails and firmly attaching the gutters.
Step 13: Clean Up and Dump Haul
In either roof restoration vs replacement project, your contractor must have the means to clean your home. Cleaning begins from the roof down to the laid tarps. After the debris is wrapped in the tarps, the crew will run a magnet to pick up loose nails and other sharp metallic objects around the home perimeter.
Afterward, your local roofing contractor will haul the materials in a truck to the special construction dumps designed to handle different roofing materials. Depending on the material type, you may be lucky to have them recycled and paid some cash. You must agree with the contractor on who will receive the payments. Most contractors take the responsibility of transporting them and get paid on behalf of the client.
Step 14: Final Inspection
Once the home is cleaned, the contractor will call the quality control person or the supervisor to assess the project. Normally, the supervisor comes with a checklist to ensure every component is installed properly. They can start by examining the ridge vents, the laying of the roofing materials, the gutters, and the drip edge.
The inner layers are also very essential during the inspection. The supervisor will determine the quality of the wood decking and the underlayment paper. Once the project assessment is over, ask the contractor for the warranty documents. Warranties are essential because they can cover roof damage within a specific period after replacement.
Roof restoration vs replacement is a complex decision. The project requires a reliable contractor. The contractor will help you choose the best roofing material for your building. Remember to apply for the roof replacement permit from the local building department. Once the work is complete, ensure the contractor cleans your home and hands over the warranty documents to you for signing.
