A Guide to the Roof Replacement Process

A new roof comes with a range of benefits, such as kerb appeal, better heat retention and better weatherproofing. If you are thinking about having your roof replaced, then you might be curious about the steps that are involved. Here is our guide to the roof replacement process. 

Protecting the property

Before any work is started, the roofer will put up protective coverings around your property to prevent them from being damaged or getting dirty during the roof replacement. This will usually be done with protective boards and tarpaulin and will cover all exterior features that could be vulnerable such as the siding, any walls, plants or bushes and any outdoor features that cannot be moved. 

Removing the old roofing and inspection

The next step in the roof replacement process is to remove the old roof. The surface roofing material such as tiles or shingles will be carefully removed to reveal the roof deck. The roof deck is then inspected to check for any signs of rot, such as dampness or softness. If the roof decking is deemed to be unstable then it will need to be repaired or replaced before the new roof can be fitted.

Preparing the roof surface and installing the drip edge

Once the wooden sheets have been inspected and replaced if necessary, the drip edge is installed to the edges of the roof. The drip edge is a piece of metal that prevents rainwater from getting underneath the roofing material. 

Adding the underlay

The underlay is a vital component of the roof structure. It prevents any water from penetrating the roof. An ice and water barrier is laid first and nailed down along the edges of the roof, and the underlay is installed on top of this in rows, fastened down with nails. Each row is overlapped with the next by a minimum of six inches, until the roof ridge is reached, where more underlay will be run over the top of the ridge, covering the top rows on both sides. 

Installation of your new roofing materials

With the underlay in place, the next stage in the roof replacement process is to install the new materials. For tile or shingle roofs, the roofer will start at the bottom, so that subsequent rows of roofing materials can overlap the ones below, aiding with drainage so that no moisture gets stuck under the roofing material. For metal roofs, the vertical edge is screwed in first, and subsequent rows are screwed vertically into the ridges. 

Cleaning up

Once the new roofing material has been installed, the final step of the roof replacement process is to clean up the site. This will include sweeping up and disposing of any debris as well as removing the protective coverings that were laid at the beginning of the job. The end result should be everything looking as good as before, with one notable exception – a brand new roof!

How long does it take to replace a roof?

A roof replacement can take anywhere between a couple of days and upwards of two weeks. Unfortunately, it is impossible to say how long a roof will take with any specificity without looking at the property in question. There are so many factors that affect how long the job will take, such as the size of the property, the type of roof being installed, and whether there needs to be any reinforcement or repairs made to the roofing structure. 
If you are thinking of replacing your roof, then please get in touch and speak to one of our dedicated roofing professionals.