Residential Roof Installation

Remove Old Shingles

Preparing to install a completely new roof starts with removing the old shingles. As you remove them, be sure to pull out the nails or pound them into the roof. If any are left protruding, they can puncture a hole in the new shingles.

It is a good idea to move any vehicles or personal property that is close to your home. This way, if shingles or debris fall to the ground, you will not have to worry about subsequent damage. Next, you will want to attempt to remove the old underlayment. Although it is not required, removing it is preferable to leaving it in place.

Step 1: Follow Building Codes

If you decide to install the roofing yourself, it is important to follow all building codes that are in place within your community. These codes will determine how much overlapping is required for your underlayment, as well as other things like the size of your drip edge.

Your local building codes might also regulate what type of underlayment you are required to have. You can find out the answers to these questions by contacting your local city hall or looking at your city’s government website.

Step 2: Underlayment 

After you have determined what supplies are needed for your roofing project, the next step is to put down an underlayment. This layer of roofing is both slip and weather-resistant.

Some underlayment’s today are self-adhering membranes that allow for a seamless waterproof seal for your roof. Furthermore, if shingles blow off during a severe weather event, your roof will still be protected from water leaks by this underlayment.

Some homeowners will choose to add another layer of underlayment called felt paper. Although the felt paper has been used for many years as an underlayment, it can be ineffective when defending your home from roof leaks.

Felt paper, because it is mostly organic, is especially vulnerable to the weather elements and can deteriorate if a shingle is blown off your roof. It is therefore recommended that you add a synthetic underlayment instead. It is much stronger and more resilient to the weather. It is even slip resistant making it safer to work on.

When deciding what underlayment is the right choice for your roofing project, consider talking to a professional. Additionally, many jurisdictions that experience specific and repetitive weather patterns will require certain types of underlayment’s and even the amount of the overlap.

Remember, the goal of replacing your roof should be to provide an effective seal against the rage of Mother Nature. If you are not sure about completing the roofing project on your own, don’t hesitate to contact a reliable contractor like the team at PRA Roof Contractors, Inc. Call us today  844-204-2438 for your free estimate!

Step 3: Placing the Shingles

After you have placed the underlayment, the next step is to begin laying shingles. The first row will consist of starter shingles which are about half the width of a regular shingle. Asphalt shingles, each one will have an adhesive strip on it that will adhere to the layer of shingles above it.

You can use a chalk lining tool to create straight guidelines for where your shingle layers will be placed. When you reach the edge of the roof, be sure to secure the shingle, then cut the overhang.

If your roof has valleys, dormers, or similar features, keep in mind that you will need to add flashing to these areas prior to securing the shingles. Additionally, the same should be done for going around some vents and chimneys.