Due to ordinary wear and tear, severe weather, or natural disasters common in cities like Pearland and the Greater Houston area, eventually, your roof needs to be replaced. The process of roof replacement is a complex and big job that must be done by professionals like WABO Roofing. The amount of time your roof replacement will take depends on factors like the roof size, how well the weather cooperates, the materials used, the complexity of the job, and more. This is a multi-step process involving many features and components.
You may wish to understand what is happening to your roof while your new shingles are put on. Here, we have explained the process of roof ridge shingle replacement in some easy-to-understand steps.
Choosing the Right Contractor
The first step is working with the right contractor, as the experience and skill of the contractor can affect the quality of the roof. The right contractor lets you get a long-lasting roof capable of handling harsh climates. A good contractor is insured and licensed, has great reviews, is professional, and communicates clearly.
At WABO Roofing, our professional roofing contractors will do their jobs efficiently, thoroughly, and quickly so that your home is secure, safe, and beautiful once again.
Initial Inspection of your roof
After you have noticed some kind of damage to your roof or its general age and disrepair, or perhaps that it has passed its expected life expectancy and warranty, you can contact your local roofing contractor. The contractor will analyze the condition of your roof, its layout, and size and understand what it will take to re-roof your home.
Selection of the right roofing materials
Before starting with the roof replacement process, you must choose the right materials. Your friendly contractor will walk you through the strengths and limitations of every material. Some are more ideal for certain regions than others. So, you must select the right material that works well in your climate and also the one that will give your home the right look.
For example, to add curb appeal, you may need dimensional shingles; to save money, you may want three tabs; for a natural look, get wood shakes; for easy maintenance, go for metal sheeting; and for extreme durability, go for clay tiles. You may consider slate if you want an appealing and high-end roof. The affordability and availability of asphalt shingles in various colors and shapes make them a preferred roofing option among today’s homeowners.
Removal of your old shingles
Roofing over can shorten the life of your new shingles and also make it tough to locate and fix any further leaks. So, old roofing shingles must be replaced with the new one. Removing the old roof makes space for the new roof, and the contractor can also inspect the wood decking. Removing the old roofing requires the right manpower and equipment.
Cover your foliage with tarps at this stage, as some materials may fall to the ground. Moreover, to prevent any damage, place wood against your doors and windows. The contractors at WABO Roofing will remove your old roof when the newly chosen materials are ready for installation, which will avoid unnecessary damage to your home’s structure if it is left open for weeks or days.
Inspection and preparation of the roof decking
The decking offers a solid base for the roofing materials to be properly installed. The roofing contractor will inspect the roof thoroughly to ensure the decking is in great condition for your new roof to be secure.
Some additional steps are involved in preparing roof surfaces for those new shingles.
- Installation of Drip Edge- This non-corrosive metal that’s placed on the roof’s edges prevents water from getting under and damaging the decking.
- Installation of Underlayment- This is a waterproof or water-resistant material placed between the roofing materials and wood decking, which prevents melting ice or water from rain from seeping into the decking, thereby causing surface damage.
Installation of new roofing materials
The new roofing materials are now installed onto the roof surface. The process includes-
- Installation of new vents: If you wish to get new vents as your old ones are worn, damaged, or outdated, this is the time. You may want to add vents or vent holes for enhanced attic ventilation and increase your home’s energy efficiency.
- Installation of roof flashing: The roofer can protect the attics with drip edge flashing and roof valleys with valley flashing or/and water and ice sheathing. Also, flashing will be needed along hip roofs, certain vents, wood stove pipes, and chimneys.
To seal the flashing and some other leak-prone areas, roofing cement will be required.
- Installation of starter shingles: An additional layer of shingles, named starter shingles, is installed along the roof’s edges. This offers additional protection and strength, exactly where the weather events like water and winds hit to the hardest.
- Installation of roof replacement shingles: Now it is time to install your main roofing shingles, beginning with the eaves and then overlapping around to the peaks. Tabs must be staggered properly and just above; the shingle must cover the nails. A sticky adhesive will seal one layer of the shingle to the other just below it.
- Putting in the ridge vent: The roof peak and rake ridges need to be capped with specialized ridge vent shingles. This provides you additional protection against any damage.
Clean-up and Final inspection
The crew will clean up the leftover debris from the roof installation to ensure the home is clean for the owner. A rolling magnet, a dumpster, or traps to pick up any stray nails in your yard will finish the cleaning process. The yard needs to look professional and clean, as does the new roof. The contractor will perform a detailed inspection of the newly installed roof to ensure no mistakes or flaws in the process.
When the homeowner and the contractor are satisfied with the quality of the new roof, the task is considered complete. Now, you have a roof that will provide all the needed protection for a very long time.
We at WABO Roofing are here to help you every step of the way, from visiting your property and inspecting the roof to recommending the correct material. Contact us now to start your roof replacement journey.
