The roof is one of the most important structures on a home. However, it can be complicated to install and requires a skilled contractor to get it right.

A quality roofing installation protects your home from water damage. It begins with preparation and includes tearing off the old roof, installing underlayment, and laying shingles. Other essential steps include detailed flashing and ventilation. Visit www.fivestarroofingandcontracting.com to learn more.

Whether you’re replacing an existing roof or tearing off and installing new roofing materials, it’s important to properly prepare your home before the project begins. This will help ensure that the installation proceeds efficiently and minimizes disruption to your daily routine.

In addition to clearing the area around your house and setting up a staging area, a reputable contractor will cover any plants or sensitive landscaping with large tarps and set up scaffolding if necessary. They’ll also blow any remaining debris from the roof, as well as the gutters and downspouts, before starting work.

If you’re in a region with snow and ice, install a self-stick ice barrier underlayment. This will prevent melted snow and ice from leaking underneath the bottom row of shingles. Next, install a metal drip edge along the eaves to protect them from moisture and (depending on your climate) possible ice dams.

Lastly, make sure that your roofers have easy access to power outlets for their tools. This includes an air compressor for use with a pneumatic roofing nailer, which saves time and effort compared to manual nailing. It’s also a good idea to have a caulk gun available for applying roofing sealant. This will help ensure that critical areas are waterproof, such as the vents and chimney flashing. A high-quality caulk will also prevent leaks down the line. This is especially important if you plan to sell your property.

Shingles

The first step in a roofing installation is to remove any old shingles and underlayment from the roof. The contractor will dispose of all of the materials properly, which is an important part of ensuring that your new roof will perform as well as possible over its lifespan.

The next step is to lay a row of starter shingles along the eaves of the roof, also known as the strip. This prevents water infiltration and wind uplift at the edge of the roof. It is important to align the starter shingles properly so that they have a slight overhang at the edges of the roof, which will help direct water into gutters and avoid pooling.

After the starter strip is in place, the contractor will add a layer of synthetic underlayment. This is much more durable than felt paper and will protect the roof from moisture damage and shingle penetration. It is also more difficult to tear through, which makes it easier for contractors to work on the roof without ripping up the underlayment or damaging the sheathing.

You should always consider the amount of underlayment needed when estimating your roofing costs. You will also need to figure out how many squares of shingles you will need by measuring the length and width of each roof area and multiplying those measurements together. Remember to include a 15% waste factor to ensure you have enough shingles and don’t run out near the end of your project.

Flashing

Before shingles can be installed, the roof must have proper flashing in place. This crucial component protects vulnerable areas of the roof from water infiltration, such as chimneys, vents, and the junction where roofing meets a vertical surface like a wall or dormer.

Flashing is typically made from metal and comes in a range of shapes, sizes, and materials. Qualified roofing contractors have the experience needed to select the best flashing for specific climate and environmental conditions, and to properly install it.

Properly installed flashing will prevent moisture damage to a roof’s structural components and insulation. It will also help to preserve the life of a roof’s materials, as well as improve energy efficiency.

The different types of flashing include:

Drip edge flashing–L-shaped flashing that creates a waterproof barrier at the base of vertical structures on your roof (like chimneys, dormers, and walls).

Valley flashing–Covers the area where two roof sections meet, directing rain water runoff away from the roof.

Pipe boot flashing–Creates a waterproof seal around plumbing vents and other pipes that penetrate your roof.

Sill flashing–Flashing that is concealed beneath windows and doors to prevent water from entering walls.

Attic Ventilation

Attic ventilation is an essential component of a roofing installation. It helps prevent ice dams in winter and excessive heat buildup in summer. It also helps extend the life of shingles and insulation and improves indoor comfort by lowering energy costs.

Ventilation is facilitated by the stack effect, which causes heated air to rise in an attic space or roof. This occurs because hot air is less dense than cool air. Heated air exits an attic through exhaust vents positioned near the ridge. A vented attic space also allows air to move from conditioned spaces below through supply ductwork, penetrations (like non-airtight recessed lights), and through attic hatches.

In addition to preventing ice damming and excessive heat buildup, roof ventilation can help remove excess moisture from the attic. This is important, because excess moisture can damage the underlayment, shingles and other roofing materials. Moisture vapor can also work its way into the living space and cause problems like mold, wood rot, and ceiling leaks.

Many homeowners chalk higher energy bills up to high temperatures outside, but in reality, the problem could be caused by improper attic ventilation. If a home has an unvented attic, the cooling system will have to work overtime to keep the house cool. Proper attic ventilation can lower utility bills and ensure that the shingles, insulation, and roof structure are not damaged by water vapor from the thawing and freezing cycle.

Cleaning

A thorough cleaning is done after the installation is completed to remove debris, nails, and cleaning solution. This is important for the appearance of the home and to avoid damaging the property from excessive solution runoff. A metal detector should be used in the garden and landscaping areas to locate any stray nails that may have been missed during the job. A rental dumpster helps the cleanup process by keeping waste out of sight and out of mind.