Your roof needs ventilation to remove moisture, regulate your home’s temperature and prevent ice dams. Roofers install soffit vents, ridge vents and other types of vents for this purpose.

Keep your pets inside: They may be disturbed by hammers and strangers on the roof. Also, keep your lawn trimmed: It’s easier for roofers to find stray nails in short grass. Visit Website to learn more.

The roofing installation process can be loud, shakes the structure of your home, and kicks up dust and debris. To minimize disruptions to your family, pets, and possessions, you should take some time to prepare for the work ahead of time. This preparation will help the crew work quickly and efficiently, and will ensure that your belongings are safe and protected during the re-roofing process.

First, make sure that the crew will have access to power outlets during your project. They will need them to run nail guns, and to operate power tools for tearing off your old roof and installing the new one. It is best to locate these power outlets in a location that is not near the construction area, such as an adjacent garage or basement.

Next, remove wall decor that may be susceptible to falling during the hammering and hand-nailing that will occur during the roof replacement. The vibrations created by the pounding of hammers and nail gun use can cause things hanging on your walls to become dislodged, particularly if they are heavy or made from glass. This step is especially important for items like mirrors, knick-knacks, and other fragile wall decor.

Also, if you have loose shelving or other objects in your upper floors, consider packing them up to store during the roof replacement. The same vibrations from the hammering and nail gun use can knock things off shelves, so it is better to be safe than sorry.

In addition to preparing your home interior, you should also clear any objects in the yard or patio. The crew will need to move items such as lawn furniture and grills away from the house, so that they don’t get damaged or tripped over during the re-roofing project. If you have movable statues or other decorative items, it is a good idea to cover them with plastic sheeting or moving blankets during the roofing process.

Finally, if you have children, it is a good idea to arrange for them to stay at Grandma’s or another family member’s home during the roofing installation. This will help them remain calm and avoid distractions that can lead to frustration or accidents during the construction phase.

Materials

When a roof is being replaced or repaired, it’s important to have the right materials. This includes not only the roofing shingles themselves but also the other components that make up a roof system. There are many different options for materials, and a roofing contractor should be familiar with them all so that they can advise their clients on what will work best.

Some of the most popular roofing materials are asphalt shingles and clay tiles. Both are durable and available in a variety of colors. They are also energy-efficient and can help reduce the amount of electricity a household uses. This can help lower the demand on power plants and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

There are also a number of other roofing materials that can be used, including wood shingles and slate. These can add a touch of class to a home and also improve its resale value. However, they are heavier than other types of shingles and may require extra support structures on the roof.

Concrete shingles are another option that can mimic the look of other types of roofing. They are less expensive than other types of shingles and are also energy-efficient. They can also be made to be fire resistant and can last up to 50 years.

Among the most important tools for a roofer to have is a caulking gun. This makes it easier and more accurate to apply the waterproof sealant around the edges of the roof. This prevents water and other elements from getting into the home and damaging the structure or contents.

Other important tools include a pair of safety goggles and a ladder. These help protect the eyes from wood splinters, nails and other debris that might be flying around during a re-roofing job. A work vehicle is also essential, and a truck with a covered bed is ideal to transport the equipment and materials needed for a roofing job.

Other tools that a roofer might need to have on hand include a pair of tin snips and a tool belt. These are useful for trimming metal flashing and gutters and can be curved to make it easier to cut through the curves of some roofing systems. For roofs with a steep pitch, roof brackets or toe boards are necessary. These provide a footing for workers on the roof and can help to prevent falls that can be very dangerous.

Installation

Once the roofing contractor begins the job, he’ll take multiple steps to protect your property. He’ll cover sensitive areas of your yard and home with tarps, have a dumpster delivered to handle the debris, and use wooden boards to cover things like your garden or air conditioning unit. He’ll then begin the tear off, which could take a few hours depending on the size of your roof and its complexity.

After the old shingles are removed, the roofing contractor will install new underlayment and shingle strips. He’ll then apply a starter strip, which is a waterproof sealant designed to defend against water intrusion. He’ll also install flashing around chimneys, wood stove pipes, certain vents, and along hip roofs. Lastly, he’ll install ridge and hip shingles for a finished look.

Roofing ventilation is an important part of any roof, as it removes moisture from the attic and regulates temperatures in the home. During your re-roofing project, you can add soffit vents and ridge vents for increased attic ventilation that will help your energy bills. In addition, you can add new vents for bathrooms and kitchen stoves.

Inspection

After the roofing contractor completes their work, a building inspector will inspect the roof installation. This step of the process will check to make sure that the materials used are up to code and the roof is structurally sound. It also assesses the condition of components that support and attach to the roof. Generally, the inspector will walk the entire roof to make sure that it adheres to the building plans. He will also look for rust or cracks in the thin metal flashing that lines penetrations like skylights, chimneys and vent pipes. It is very important that these seals are in good condition as they are what keeps water from entering the structure.

The inspector will also examine fascia boards, which run along a roof’s edges, and soffit boards, which cover the underside of roof overhangs. These two components play a key role in protecting the roofing and the rest of the structure from moisture damage and pest infestation. The inspector will look for rot, warping and other signs of damage in these areas, as well as the condition of gutters and downspouts. In some cases, the inspector will even examine masonry chimneys to make sure that they are in good repair.

Another critical aspect of a roof inspection is the assessment of workmanship. The inspector will look for mistakes that could lead to future damage, such as shingle placement, improper flashing around penetrations and the use of substandard materials. He will also look for signs of water infiltration, such as stains on ceilings and walls.

If the inspector discovers a problem with the roof, it’s important to act quickly. This is because most home buyers have a limited time to perform inspections, called an “inspection period.” Once this period expires, the buyer may be unable to close on the property.

When choosing a roofing contractor, it is important to select one with a solid track record of quality work and customer satisfaction. Ideally, you should choose a local company that is familiar with the weather patterns and building codes in your area. You should also ask potential contractors for references and reviews on reputable websites. It is also a good idea to get estimates from several companies and compare them before selecting one.