What to Expect During a Full Roof Replacement Process
Having your roof replaced can be a noisy and messy project. However, if you know what to expect and are prepared, the process will go much smoother. The sequence of events during a roof replacement is quite simple. This is what usually happens. A day or two before the project starts, a dumpster will be delivered and placed on your driveway. Then, the crew will start working early in the morning. The existing roofing materials will be stripped from the roof and thrown into the dumpster. This part can take 1-2 days. After that, any preparation work needed will be done. Damaged plywood will be replaced or repaired, protrusions will be removed or altered, and rafters may be corrected. The roof will be swept clean and checked over before the real work begins. New underlayment is installed to create a solid base for the shingles. Next, shingles and flashing are installed according to the plan. Finally, vents and caps are placed, the crew cleans up the site, and you have a new roof.
Flashing, ventilation, and the details that actually protect you
Flashing refers to the metal work placed at each change point – chimneys, skylights, valleys, and roof-to-wall connections. Step flashing, counter flashing, and valley flashing are installed as the shingle courses rise. Poor flashing represents the primary source of leaks in non-old roofs. It is detailed work, and it must be executed properly.
Ventilation is also added at the ridge. Ridge vents are cut and installed at the summit to allow the attic’s heat to dissipate. The square footage of these vents must correspond to the volume of the attic – this is an exact measurement. A poorly ventilated roof holds heat that degrades the shingles from the interior, a situation that can invalidate the warranty. A reliable murfreesboro roofer will take this into consideration and ensure they complete the job properly. In hot areas, this is even more crucial.
Staging and site protection
Before any shingles come away, a pro crew walks the perimeter to protect the property. Tarps are hefted up over landscaping, plywood sheets lean against windows in high-risk areas, and anything fragile near the roofline gets moved. This is the phase that’s skipped by a shortcut-contractor, and you’ll know it the minute you come across crushed shrubs or a cracked window screen.
Materials usually arrive the morning of the job or the afternoon prior. Architectural shingles, underlayment rolls, and metal components like drip edge and flashing are palletized nearby. The crew needs clear access. And a relatively flat staging area; the weight of those pallets will damage lawns and driveways if they’re repositioned after delivery.
The permit should be pulled by now. Most jurisdictions require it for a full structural replacement, and if a contractor hasn’t mentioned it, that’s a problem worth asking about directly.
The tear-off and what comes next
Removing the old roof is the noisiest part of the process. The workers use flat shovels to remove the old shingles and the protective underlayment all the way down to the wooden deck. They use tarps to funnel the debris into the dumpster, and before you know it, the old roof has disappeared.
When the wooden deck is exposed, it’s time for the most important step of the entire job. The crew walks every inch of the decking to check for rotten wood, spots that have softened over time, or fasteners that have failed over the years. This is where all of the damage that was hidden gets uncovered. Any compromised wood has to be cut away and replaced with brand new plywood. That’s because a new roof is only as good as the wood it’s actually nailed to.
Once the decking has been repaired, the process can begin in earnest with all of the components that make up the roofing system. First the drip edge goes on at the eaves. That’s what makes sure water runs into the gutters, and not behind them. Next comes the ice and water shield along the eaves and in all of the valleys since that’s where driving rainwater is most likely to make its way under the shingles. Then the synthetic underlayment goes over the field of the roof. Finally, the first course of shingles can go on.
The final walk-through
After the roof cap is on and the job is finished, the crew should clean the site thoroughly. The contractor sweeps the driveway and yard with a magnet to remove nails, which can be a major source of flat tires or injuries after installation.
Before they leave, the contractor should also take a walk around the exterior with you. You should feel comfortable discussing the project and having your questions answered in plain language. Check the alignment of the drip edge, look for gaps at any flashing over seams, and make sure the ridge vent or gable-end vents are even and fully covered.
A good tear-off and install can happen in as little as a day, but a weekend isn’t unusual. New construction, unique features, or a particularly large crew can increase the time. Most roofing crews like to do everything in one go – and you might find that quieter, too, since it can be stressful to watch. It can be a bit like changing the engine in a car in your driveway.
