Roofing

Precautions For Roofing Installation

If your roof is showing signs of ageing and needs frequent repairs, it may be time to consider a full replacement. There are many different roofing materials to choose from. For professional help, contact Fresno Roof Company.

roofing

Start by drawing a diagram of your property, including the size and shape of the building. This will help you calculate the area of your roof correctly.

The roofing process involves a lot of hammering and scraping which creates vibrations in the house. These can shake pictures and wall hangings off of walls, particularly on the top floors. It’s a good idea to take these down ahead of time, and to protect especially fragile items like china plates.

Inside the house, it’s also a good idea to clear away all of the clutter and pack it away in a safe place for the duration of the project. This can help to minimize the dust and debris that is created during the roof restoration.

Outside the home, clearing the area around the house can also be helpful for both you and the roofers. It helps the roofers to get access to the work areas and make it easier for them to bring in materials and equipment. In addition, it ensures that vehicles and other objects are not blocking the roofers’ path.

This also includes removing lawn ornaments, patio furniture, grills and moveable landscaping elements from the area around the house. It can be a good idea to store these in the garage or somewhere else that is not directly underneath the roof.

If you have a garden or pond in the yard, it can be a good idea to mark or cover them with netting or tarps to prevent drops of shingles and other debris from damaging them. You can also inform your roofers of any plants or flowers that are particularly delicate, and request that they be given an extra wide berth while working on the roof. It’s also a good idea to arrange for pets and children to be out of the way during the work, as it can be noisy and scary for them.

Materials

Whether you are repairing existing damage, increasing home value or doing a roof replacement, the right roofing materials make all the difference. The choice depends on cost, durability, climate and style preferences.

Asphalt shingles are the most common residential roofing material. They are also one of the cheapest and easiest to install. This type of shingle has a self-sealing adhesive strip that protects the roof from moisture and weather. If you’re building a new home or replacing an old roof, consider adding a starter course of three-tab shingles. This will help seal the cuts and joints in the ridge and valley areas.

Rolled roofing is another inexpensive roofing option for sloped-roof structures such as garages and sheds. It consists of long rolls of mineral-impregnated and asphalt-impregnated material topped with granules. It’s easy to install and provides good protection, but it doesn’t add much aesthetic appeal.

A more attractive alternative to shingles is clay tiles. These are often used in Spanish or Italian-style homes. They can be unglazed or factory-fired in a variety of colors. Clay tiles are more expensive than other roofing materials, but they offer superior durability and can last for over 100 years.

Wood shingles and shakes complement many classic and historic styles of houses. Basic cedar or redwood shingles are sawmilled for uniformity, while shakes are split into wedges for a more rugged appearance. Both are durable but don’t fare well in wet climates, so be sure to treat them with fire retardants and chemical preservatives.

Installing the Shingles

Before you start nailing down shingles, you must take certain precautions. First, make sure you have the right tools and materials. This includes a ladder that can support your weight, safety ropes and harness and a caulk gun and roofing caulk to seal the raw edges of the underlayment and shingle seams. It’s also important to choose a clear day for the job. Rain and humidity will slow your progress and may even cause damage to the underlayment or shingles.

Start laying the shingles in courses (rows) on one side of the roof, working toward the eaves and the ridge. Some experts recommend starting in the middle in a pyramid and working both ways for a more balanced look, but you should follow the recommendations on your shingle package for proper installation. To help you get the most precise shingle placement, chalk a grid on the roof with six-inch horizontal and five-inch vertical spacings to serve as guides for installing the shingles.

For the first row, use starter shingles, which are half the width of regular shingles and are designed to overlap each other. They’re applied as the first shingles in each course and will prevent water from running under the other shingles. Depending on the shingle package, you may also want to apply a starter strip that’s nailed to the decking before you begin.

Continue laying the shingles in courses, overlapping each shingle by about 1/2 of its tab. If you’re working on a sloped roof, it’s helpful to have someone assist you with this part of the project. If possible, have the assistant stand on the decking and look over your shoulder to ensure you’re applying the shingles correctly.

Flashing

Professional roofers use flashing to help waterproof the perimeter and protrusions of a roof. This thin material is usually metal, such as galvanized steel, and it prevents water from seeping through the cracks and crevices. It also helps keep the area dry and safe from mold, mildew and pest infestation.

Roofing professionals install flashing wherever a roof plane meets a vertical surface like a wall or dormer, as well as near any other feature that sticks out from the roof, such as vents, chimneys and skylights. If a roof features aren’t flashed properly, water may leak in through these areas and cause serious damage to the roof and home.

When a roofing contractor installs flashing, it is typically made from sheet metal that’s bent into an L-shape and nailed into place at the top and base of the piece. This creates a protective barrier that’s designed to be durable and long-lasting. There are a few different types of flashing that roofing professionals use, depending on the type of roof and feature being protected.

For example, copper roof flashing is more expensive but can withstand a lot of abuse, while galvanized steel is less durable but still provides a good barrier. There are other materials used as well, such as plastic and rubber, but these don’t provide the longevity that metal flashing offers.

Other flashing styles include step flashing, which is installed in a series that looks like fish scales and consists of rectangular pieces of flashing that overlap each other. Counter flashing is often installed alongside chimneys during new construction or roof replacement projects. This type of flashing is nailed to the roof and has its upper edge secured to the penetration it’s protecting, such as a chimney.

Gutter Installation

Gutters carry precipitation from the roof to downspouts that direct it away from the house. Properly installed gutters protect foundations and basements, prevent erosion of the soil beneath the house, and keep wood fascia in good condition.

Before beginning the gutter installation process, your roofing professional should take precise measurements of the house and gutter run to ensure a seamless fit. Once the measurements are complete, your roofer can prepare the materials for installation. Gutters are available in a variety of widths, so choose the right size for your home and how much rain it receives. Also, make sure your roofing contractor installs the correct number of downspout outlets and corner pieces.

Depending on the type of gutter you select, it can be hung either from the fascia board (boards that cover rafter ends) or the roof. Fascia-hung gutters are more sturdier, but if the fascia is nonexistent or covered with crown molding, roof mounting may be the only choice.

A gutter section can be fastened to the eaves using either screws or pop rivets. If you use screws, place them at the bottom of the gutter and work upward. If you use rivets, first bore 1/8-inch holes in the gutter flanges. Then, set the outlet fitting in its hole and mark the location of its screw holes. Then, drill the holes and fasten the outlet with short sheet-metal screws or rivets.

Before installing any straight sections of gutter, make sure to lag-screw the brackets in place to the fascia. Next, measure the length of the gutter and cut it to size using a hacksaw or aviation snips. If the gutter wraps around a corner, connect one end of the splice fitting to the preceding length of gutter apron with rivets. Finally, apply a heavy bead of gutter lap sealer to all seams and joints.