Your roof goes through a lot of wear and tear. From inclement weather conditions to extreme temperature fluctuations and hours of direct sunlight, it’s pretty incredible that roofs last as long as they do. Depending on the material, your roof should be good for 20 to 30 years.
With some added care and maintenance, you may extend the life of your roof – but it will eventually need a full replacement. Some obvious indications would be missing shingles, sagging, or visible mold growing on your roof, or water damage visible in your attic or ceiling.
Now, replacing your roof is a fairly major investment and it may require several days of work to complete. If you know it’s time to replace your roof, here’s what you can expect.
1. Preparation and Inspection
First and foremost, you should only hire a roofer that has a solid reputation and a valid warranty offering. Replacing a roof can be expensive, and you want to make sure that everything is done correctly. The roofing company should also take the time to provide a full demonstration to you about the entire process from start to finish, including:
- Project dates and estimated timeline
- Materials used
- Insurance information
- Total cost
- Warranty information
Before any demolition or replacement work begins, the roofing company will send out an inspector to see if there are any major structural damages. The roofing company may include framing repair services, or it could require additional contractors.
What Happens in the Days Before
Before the roofing replacement officially begins, the company will start with some prep work. First, they will then set up a station for all of the supplies and the shingles and roofing materials will be shipped to your home. The company will also likely deliver a dumpster to hold all of the old shingles.
What You Need to Do
There are some things that homeowners should do ahead of time to protect their belongings from any accidental damage. For instance, any vehicles and breakable items like patio furniture should be moved away from the perimeter of the home. You may want to cover any plants or grassy areas with tarps to protect them from falling debris.
The roofing company may also install some property protection such as plywood and tarps covering, windows, and siding.
2. Old Roof Removal
Next, the roofers will get to work to remove all of the old shingles down to the deck of your roof, which are the wooden boards that create the frame. Some shingles can be easily removed by hand or with tools like pry bars. Depending on the size of your roof, this should only take a day or two.
Roofing Repair Work
If there is any structural damage, this will be handled before the new roofing is installed. After the shingles are removed, more damage may be revealed, like wood rot. The flashing (aluminum or steel material beneath the shingles) may also be removed and replaced if it is damaged.
What You Can Expect
The roof removal process may be a bit noisy. Although power tools are not generally used, there will still be noise from the roofers walking and working. While occupants can stay in the house, you may want to vacate as it will be quite disruptive.
3. Decide on Your New Roofing Material
It is possible to change the material of your roofing when it is replaced. The type of roofing material used usually depends on several factors like budget, climate, and appearance. In the Buffalo, NY area, most homes have asphalt shingles or (fiberglass-based shingles). This material is quite affordable and long-lasting – plus it is easy to replace any shingles that get damaged.
Installing the New Roof
Roofers will start from the bottom up, installing ice shield underlayment, shingles, ridge capping, vents, and counter flashing as they go along.
For the average-sized home, a full replacement should take one to three days. Of course, weather conditions can cause delays as the materials cannot be safely installed during rain or thunderstorms. But you don’t need absolutely perfect weather for a roof replacement – some roofers will do their work even in the winter season!
What You Can Expect
A full roof replacement is going to be quite noisy. Power tools are used and there will be a lot of banging as the new shingles are secured to your roof. Again, while it is safe to remain in your home during the process, it is generally best to vacate during working hours.
4. Take Care of Your New Roof
After the roofing is completely installed, it will be inspected to ensure that everything is up to code. They will also check on all of the vents to ensure that these are working properly to provide airflow through your home.
Paying Off Your New Roof
A roof replacement may be covered or partially covered by homeowner’s insurance in some circumstances. For instance, if your roof is damaged by a storm, your policy may cover it. However, general wear and tear replacements will not be covered by insurance and the homeowner will be responsible for the payment.
Wm. C. Rott offers a payment and financing option to help homeowners pay off roofing replacement services. Those who qualify can receive 0% financing for up to 12 months.
Keep Your New Roof in Better Shape
Since replacing a roof is such a major investment, homeowners will want to do all they can to prolong the life of their new roof. Scheduling regular inspections and tune-ups can make a huge difference. Further, homeowners should take care when it comes to snow and ice removal, as this can cause severe damage to the shingles and roofing. Finally, having the roof professionally cleaned can prevent build-up and stop mold and rot from forming.
Is it Time for You to Get a New Roof?
If you’ve been putting off a roof replacement, now is the time to get things going. Wm. C. Rott & Son has helped hundreds of Buffalo, NY homeowners repair and replace their damaged roofs at an affordable rate. We provide free accurate estimates for all of our projects, along with a workmanship warranty to guarantee the quality of our work.
To learn more about our roofing services, send us a message online and we will get in touch with you.
