We review the process of installing a new roof from start to finish so you know what to expect when it’s your turn. Whether it’s a reroof or a new construction roofing project, the process is essentially the same except with new construction you start with a clean slate and obviously will not be removing the roofing material currently in place.

Here are the 8 Key Steps to Installing a New Roof:

1. Prepare the Property – A good roofing contractor will train their crew to properly cover, protect and possibly move, any exterior plants or structures that could be damaged during the roof replacement process. The roofers will also set up a dump truck or trailer to prepare for step two.
2. Remove the Existing Roofing Material – Unless it’s a new construction roof, the next step is to remove the existing roofing material, whether it be shingles, tile, metal, etc. Your roofer will be looking for moist or damaged areas. Any damaged flashing or drip edging is also removed at this time.
3. Inspect the Wood Sheathing – If the wood beneath your now removed roofing material is in good condition, your roofing contractor will make any minor repairs. Sometimes the damage to the wood sheathing is too great and needs to be replaced entirely, which would happen at this time.
4. Add a Layer of Underlayment – You guessed it – the purpose of this additional layer is to provide ADDITIONAL protection to the roof. Because it covers the roof sheathing, it helps keep water out of your home and is nailed in place using roofing tin caps and nails. The roofing crew will roll out one row of roofing underlayment after another securing it with roofing cap nails, making sure to overlap the lower row by at least six inches with the next row. Depending on the type of roof system being installed, additional layers of underlayment will now be installed.
5. Install Metal Drip Edging – The next step is to install the metal drip edging by fastening it in place with nails over top of the roofing paper. This goes in around the edge of your roof and is fastened in place with nails over top of the roofing paper.
6. Install New Flashing, Vents, Lead Stacks & Ridge Vents (If Required) – The new flashing is installed where the planes of your roof meet and anywhere you could encounter a leak in the future such as chimneys, returns and skylights. Although ridge vents may not always be applicable, the roofing crew will implement some ventilation to help adequately ventilate the attic.
7. Place the Actual Roofing Material – Your roof is almost complete at this point. All that is left is to add your selected roofing material.
8. Clean-up. After a completed roofing job, any respectable roofing contractor will remove all debris from your property, leaving it as they found it. They should also scan your yard with a magnet to attract any loose screws or small pieces of scrap metal that may have made their way into your yard during the installation.

So, if you ever wondered what exactly your roofing contractor is doing up there, now you know!  Keep in mind the installation time greatly depends on the size of your roof and your rooflines etc.

If you’re searching for a reliable roofer in South FL, we invite you to explore our website further and contact us to set up your free estimate. As your full-service roofing company, we specialize in everything from roof repairs to new construction roof installations and everything in between. 

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