Planning on installing a new roof on your house? If you’re not well-versed with hardware work, the idea of doing it all on your own might seem intimidation. That’s where you can consult professionals like Prime Roofing to help you out. Whether you are planning on doing it on your own or hire a pro, there are a couple of things you must know before you take up such a project.
Things to Know about Installing a New Roof on a House
You must understand that installing a roof on a moderately sized house can take around 3-4 days for a professional. It is also quite an expensive project. So, before you invest your time and money in a new roof, here are a couple of things you must know.
Look for Signs
When does your roof need a replacement? It would help if you looked for the following signs:
- Your roof is more than 20-25 years old.
- The shingles have started to buckle and curl.
- Shingle granules have filled the gutters.
- Sunlight is passing through roof boards.
- The roof has begun to sag.
Roofing Material
The roofing material is an essential deciding factor. Considering its price, look, and lifespan, chose one of the following:
- Asphalt composition shingle – Pocket-friendly and readily available, but unattractive
- Wooden shingle – Durable and attractive, but expensive
- Metal roofing: Durable steel/aluminum roof, costly installation but cost-effective in the long run
- Slate roofing – Highly attractive, but costly, slippery, difficult to repair
- Composition slate – Light and durable and made of recycled materials
- Ceramic/clay tile – Tradition and high retardant ability but heavy
Layering On or Peeling Off
The practice of laying a new shingle on top of the old roof to reduce work and waste is not as common as it used to be earlier. Now, you will not even be permitted by some jurisdictions to do that. Even if you are allowed to do the same, you must consider two significant disadvantages:
- Weight: Layering the old roof with a new one can add extra burden, causing structural problems.
- Telegraphing: Surface irregularities like bumps and bubbles get repeated due to layering.
DIY vs Hire a Contractor
Most homeowners do not have an accurate idea about installing a roof. Even if you know your way around tools and have plenty of DIY experiences, it might be better for you to reconsider installing your roof by yourself. Asphalt shingles might be easy to handle, but the rest might need a professional hand.
Prevent Another Roof Installation
To ensure that you don’t have to replace your roof anytime soon, here are a couple of maintenance tips:
- Regular inspection for damages: Keep an eye out for missing shingles or cracks, and make sure to get it fixed as soon as possible.
- You must understand that roof installation on a moderately sized house can take around 3-4 days for a professional.
- Regular cleaning: Make sure to remove dust, moss, fungi, algae, lichen, etc. This will prevent the roof from disintegrating.
- Replacement of worn or cracked sealant: If you notice that the sealant has been damaged, remove it and apply new sealant.
- Inspection for rust or corrosion: If the metal roof gets rusted or corroded, have it wire-brushed or removed before priming and painting the area.
- Cleaning of clogged gutters: If water starts to accumulate in the gutters, it can get under the roof. So, clean it out before it can damage the roof.
- Maintenance of chimney mortar: The mortar of the chimney holds the chimney brings together. So, fix any crack to prevent damage to the roof.
- Prevention of ice dams: Get your room insulated to avoid the accumulation of ice in the roof edges, as the melting ice can be harmful.
Conclusion
The roof is an essential part of the house, and it needs regular care and love. Check the current condition of the roof before you decide to install a new one. You can do it yourself, but it is recommended that you consult a professional for something this complicated, time-consuming, and expensive. Also, don’t forget to take good care of a newly installed roof to ensure that you don’t have to do it again soon!
Interesting related article: “How to market your roofing business.”