Are you embarking on a roof replacement adventure? Do you feel like you're navigating a maze of contractor talks, inspections, and budget decisions? We hear you. It can feel like quite the expedition. Almost as intricate as planning a family vacation, but without the fun of choosing destinations!
But here's some good news: you've already tackled the toughest part. Kudos to you, homeowner, for stepping into the realm of roof replacements. Now, it’s time for you and your lounge chair to step back and let the roofing gurus take the wheel. With over 30 years in the business. RoofCrafters is all about making your roofing journey smooth. Stress-free as possible. Think of it like navigating through calm waters rather than rough seas.
Whether you’re gearing up or ready to hit the 'go' button on your roofing project, our handy 9-step guide will illuminate the path ahead. From getting those essential permits to the final, satisfying cleanup, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
Let's dive into this adventure together – no compass or hiking boots required!
The Pivotal Day: Why Your Roof's Installation Day Is the Cornerstone of Longevity
We know your roof is a large investment. A high-quality new roof is going to last you a long time. Giving you peace of mind for many years to come. Look, it’s no secret that many contractors in the roofing industry cut corners or rush through the installation process. They don’t pay attention to the many important details and specific roof installation techniques that are required to have a high-quality installation.
And....The day your roof installation begins is the most important day. It must be installed correctly to last. The exact roof replacement process may vary from contractor to contractor, but you'll find that reputable roofing contractors follow a very similar process.
Navigating the 9 Essential Steps for Your Roof Replacement Adventure
Embarking on a roof replacement project can often feel like setting off on a complex journey. But fear not! To ensure you navigate this path with ease, we've distilled the entire process into 9 straightforward steps. From the initial groundwork to the final touches, each phase is designed to move you toward a brand-new, sturdy roof over your head. So, let's roll up our sleeves and walk through these key stages.
Step 1: Securing the Essential Permits – Laying the Groundwork for Your Roof Replacement
The first step in your roof replacement process is to have all the required permits from your state and local building departments. This may include any special homeowner association or architectural review board permits. Some community HOAs(Home Owners Associations) or ARBs(Architectural Review Boards) regulate the type of roofing materials allowed. Which may include the colors you are able to select.
The permit process is in place to let your contractors know of any specific material and installation requirements that are needed for your particular geographic area. You don’t want to have a new roof installed only to find out later that the material type or color is not allowed in your community. Having all permits in place assures you and your contractor this won’t happen!
Step 2: Preparing the Stage – Organizing Your Space for the Roofing Project
The first thing your contractor will do when they arrive is set up your job site. This is done by moving items that could potentially get damaged such as outdoor furniture, grills, and pottery plants.
Your contractor may ask you to move any vehicles out of your garage or driveway that you will need access to while the roof replacement is being completed. This will keep your vehicles from getting damaged and give you access to them, should you need to leave your home for any reason during the project.
Step 3: Ensuring Safety First – Protecting Your Property During the Roof Replacement
One of the most important jobs your contractor has to do is make sure you and everyone on your property are safe. This requires setting your job site up with the right equipment. First, the most important thing is to make sure no one gets injured on your property. Next is to make sure your property does not get destroyed during the tear-off process.
The crew has the right safety equipment for your roofing project, along with the proper set-up of barricades and tarps to ensure that the job site stays safe during the tear-off process.
Step 4: Out with the Old – The Essential Tear-Off Process of Your Existing Roof
During the tear-off portion of the project, the roofing crew will use special tools designed to pry up the old roofing materials. The two most common tools that are used are spades and pitchforks. The crew will go over your existing roof with one of these tools and remove all of the old materials section-by-section to prepare the decking for your new roof installation.
The tear-off will also include removing the old components such as metal eave drip, underlayment, pipe boot flashing, and any metal or plastic vents that may be on the old roof. This will ensure a great installation of your new roof.
Step 5: Arrival of the New Guard – Delivery of Your Roof's Fresh Materials
Your contractor may schedule the new roof material to be delivered the day your roof replacement starts. Coordinating the new materials to be delivered once the old roof has been torn off will keep your contractor from loading the new materials on your old roof. They would have to be moved again to tear the old roof off.
This requires a little more effort and communication with the local supply house but saves both time and money down the line. Depending on your roof type and the complexity, your contractor may choose to ground set the materials. It may help your roof replacement run more smoothly.
Step 6: The Main Event – Installing Your Brand-New Roof
Once your old roof is torn off and your new roof materials have been loaded. Your contractor will begin to install your new roof. To ensure you get a high-quality installation, they'll follow all state and local building codes, as well as manufacturers' installation guidelines.
The roof will be installed section by section. All the roofing components that make up the entire roof system will get installed in their correct order. Having both experienced installers and using quality materials will ensure that you get the most lifespan from your new roof replacement.
Step 7: The Final Sweep – Thorough Cleanup Post-Roof Replacement
After your new roof is installed your contractor will start the final clean-up. They will begin by cleaning all the debris from the new roof and gutters. Once the roof and gutters are clean, they will start cleaning the ground. You can expect this to take an hour or so depending on the size of your home.
The crew will remove all the tarps and pick up all the roofing debris from around your home and in your landscaping. Once all the debris is removed the crew will run magnets to pick up the loose nails around the perimeter of your home. This usually needs to be done 3 or 4 times to get the nails up.
Step 8: Debris Disposal – Efficiently Handling the Post-Installation Cleanup
To get a new roof, the old roof will need to be torn off. Most roofing materials that get removed will need to be taken to special construction dumps. These dumps are designed to handle all the different materials used in the roofing products. Like the petroleum in asphalt shingles.
Depending on the type of materials removed, in some cases, materials can be recycled. Which could reduce the cost of your roof replacement. Either way, to get rid of the old materials, they need to be handled by labor. Put into dump containers and then transported by a CDL class driver. Once your job site is completely clean, your contractor will remove the dump container and clean up around the spot it was positioned on your property.
Step 9: The Seal of Excellence – Conducting a Meticulous Post-Installation Inspection
After your roof has been installed. Your property clear and looking great again. The contractor will have a quality control person or job supervisor come out. They'll perform a complete walk-through to double-check for quality. They'll get on the roof and inspect the installation to make sure that you will be left with the highest quality workmanship possible for the materials you invested in.
By double-checking the areas that are most prone to leaks such as chimneys, skylights, pipes, vents, and all roof-to-wall details. You'll surely get left with the best roof installation. No matter who you hire, a contractor that double-checks their own work is sure to have fewer issues.
Embarking on Your Roof Replacement Journey: Let's Get Started!
Are you feeling like a roof replacement expert already? You should! With the roadmap of these 9 straightforward steps in your toolkit, you're all set to navigate this venture with ease and assurance.
Now, it's your turn to relax and witness the transformation of your roof from the sidelines. Seeing everything fall into place, step by step can be a smooth and gratifying experience. So, take a deep breath and prepare to embark on this exciting journey. Your new roof, done right, is waiting!
If you’re just starting out the process, you’re probably getting ready to find and hire a local roofing contractor. To locate a great local roofing contractor that’s the best fit for you, RoofCrafters has provided a checklist of questions to ask your local roofing contractor, along with the right answers that you need to get back when you meet with these roofing contractors.
If you are in the South Carolina, Georgia, or Florida area, you can Schedule Your Inspection here. We'll help you get your roof replacement journey started! If you’d like to learn more about your roof replacement, we recommend you check out our roof replacement guide.
