Fundamentals to Know When Gearing Up for Residential Roof Replacement

Posted on: 1 February 2022

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Home roofing replacement may not be a project that you may ever look forward to embarking on, but once it is mandatory, it will cost you more to postpone it than to tackle it head-on. What some people take for granted is the fact that while the roofing system is designed to shelter both their house as well as the interiors, structural damage will immediately transform the roof into a looming safety hazard. 

Thus, you must hire roofing contractors sooner rather than later. Understandably, not having engaged in residential roof replacement before will lead to a myriad of questions. To help you have a grasp on what to expect, here are some fundamentals to know when gearing up for residential roof replacement.

What would warrant immediate roof replacement?

As stated above, extensive structural damage to the roof would be better off addressed by its complete replacement rather than engaging in its repairs. But what could cause such a degree of damage? While you may need roof replacement due to the structure being at the end of its lifecycle, you should know that it is not rare to require home roof replacement after the winter, and this can be attributed to a couple of factors.

Most commonly, the formation of icicles and subsequent ice dams can cause permanent water damage to the shingles and the underlying wood-based elements of the roof. If this water damage is widespread, replacing the roof will be more financially responsible than bleeding money into repairs.

Another reason why you may need a roof replacement after the winter is when part of the structure collapses in on itself due to the increased weight it had to bear from the snow. It is also worth noting that this is an issue typically faced after particularly hard winters characterized by frequent snowstorms.

What steps should you anticipate from home roofing replacement?

The first step that the roofing contractors will take during home roof replacement is stripping the structure of its roofing materials. Once the shingles, gutters, and underlayment have been torn away, the contractors have clarity on the state of the underlying roofing supplies. The second step entails examining the condition of the framing and the deck to determine if repairs should be undertaken or if these sub-structural elements need to be replaced too. 

You should also be cognizant of the fact that investing in premium roofing materials such as slate or clay tiles will mandate the reinforcement of the roof framing and deck so that they can provide sufficient support for these roofing supplies. Hence, this step will be undertaken before the new supplies can be installed. After the new roofing materials are in place, the roofing contractors will conclude by installing supplementary structures such as the gutters, flashing, and so on.

Contact a licensed roofer if you have questions about home roof replacement