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Denver Roofers Explain What to Expect During a Roof Replacement
February 6, 2019
It’s no surprise that roofs are built with durability in mind. The average roof only lasts for 20 to 25 years with regular care and maintenance. Any older than that and you risk more severe leaks and water damage. The best way to keep your home safe and reduce the risk of water damage is to let your Denver roof repair team install a new roof on your house. Because the roof replacement process only happens every two decades or so under normal conditions, most people aren’t sure what to expect during the installation. Here’s what you need to know.
Old Materials Are Removed First
Before any new work or repairs are done to the roof, the old materials must first be removed. During this process, the roofing crew will take off all the old shingles. Then, any flashing around chimneys, skylights, and roof vents gets taken off. This exposes the old tar paper and roof underlayment that acts as an additional barrier between the elements and your house. Once the roofing materials are gone, the paper gets pulled up.
Subroofing Gets Repaired or Replaced
If the roof has been properly maintained, the subroofing material should still be in usable condition. If there’s water damage, warping, rot, or other problems, the crew will pull up the damaged wood. Then, they’ll install new wooden supports to hold the weight of the new roofing materials. This is one of the most important steps. Without a good subroofing layer, your roof won’t be stable. This could lead to structural damage and increase your risk of water damage.
Insulation Reevaluation
Ideally, your home should have enough insulation in the attic to keep the roof in good shape. Poorly insulated roofs tend to warp and collect more moisture inside the materials, making them more susceptible to mold and mildew growth. During the roof inspection, your contractor will have inspected the insulation. If additional insulation is needed, more will be added at this time. Adding insulation may make the project cost more, but it will save you money in the long-run.
New Materials Installed
Once the subroofing and attic are ready, the crew will install new roofing materials of your choice. Keep in mind that some materials are heavier than others. If you’ve had asphalt shingles in the past, you’ll probably want to stick with them in the future. They’ll require less preparation and work to install than switching to a new material. Why? Because heavier materials need additional supports.
If your old framing system was designed for asphalt shingles it won’t be strong enough to support clay tiles or certain types of metal sheeting. If you want to change to a different type of roof, speak with your contractor during initial inspection.
Does your home need a new roof? Schedule a free estimate with our dedicated crew. We’ll inspect your current system and help you decide whether or not a new roof is needed. If repairs are enough to keep your home safe and dry, we’ll take care of them quickly. But if it’s time for a new roof, we’ll get the job done right the first time.
Old Materials Are Removed First
Before any new work or repairs are done to the roof, the old materials must first be removed. During this process, the roofing crew will take off all the old shingles. Then, any flashing around chimneys, skylights, and roof vents gets taken off. This exposes the old tar paper and roof underlayment that acts as an additional barrier between the elements and your house. Once the roofing materials are gone, the paper gets pulled up.
Subroofing Gets Repaired or Replaced
If the roof has been properly maintained, the subroofing material should still be in usable condition. If there’s water damage, warping, rot, or other problems, the crew will pull up the damaged wood. Then, they’ll install new wooden supports to hold the weight of the new roofing materials. This is one of the most important steps. Without a good subroofing layer, your roof won’t be stable. This could lead to structural damage and increase your risk of water damage.
Insulation Reevaluation
Ideally, your home should have enough insulation in the attic to keep the roof in good shape. Poorly insulated roofs tend to warp and collect more moisture inside the materials, making them more susceptible to mold and mildew growth. During the roof inspection, your contractor will have inspected the insulation. If additional insulation is needed, more will be added at this time. Adding insulation may make the project cost more, but it will save you money in the long-run.
New Materials Installed
Once the subroofing and attic are ready, the crew will install new roofing materials of your choice. Keep in mind that some materials are heavier than others. If you’ve had asphalt shingles in the past, you’ll probably want to stick with them in the future. They’ll require less preparation and work to install than switching to a new material. Why? Because heavier materials need additional supports.
If your old framing system was designed for asphalt shingles it won’t be strong enough to support clay tiles or certain types of metal sheeting. If you want to change to a different type of roof, speak with your contractor during initial inspection.
Does your home need a new roof? Schedule a free estimate with our dedicated crew. We’ll inspect your current system and help you decide whether or not a new roof is needed. If repairs are enough to keep your home safe and dry, we’ll take care of them quickly. But if it’s time for a new roof, we’ll get the job done right the first time.