Reroofing for Homeowners

Eventually reroofing becomes part of every homeowner’s experience.  Review these topics to effectively manage your next or first reroofing project. 

 

 

According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), periodic (twice-a-year) inspections often can uncover cracked, warped or missing shingles; loose seams and deteriorated flashings; excessive surface granules accumulating in the gutters or downspouts; and other visible signs of roof system problems.  In your home look for cracked paint, discolored plasterboard and peeling wallpaper as signs of damaged roof areas. 

 

Sometimes, leaks can be the result of faulty flashing at chimneys, skylights, plumbing-stack pipes and walls and can be fixed without replacing the roof.  In other instances, leaks and water damage indicate it is time to replace your roof.

If your roof is 15-20 years old and appears worn, replacing it may be a good idea to simply to avoid interior water damage.

 

Problems arising from snow and ice, condensation or moss and algae could require a new roofing system with the proper underlayment to prevent ice damming, a ridge vent to minimize condensation, or a specially treated shingles to prevent the growth of moss or algae.

 

Workmanship and the quality of an installation, insurance and liability, clean-up, unforeseen roof repairs, etc. are covered in the choosing a contractor section.

In addition to these tips on selecting a roofing contractor, it is a good idea to cover the topics on this page with your contractor.

 

In addition to the cost of installing a new roofing system, there is the cost of removing the old roofing materials down to the underlying wooden sheathing.  In the past, residential roofs with organic shingles made with a base of wood fiber and asphalt had lower life spans.  It was common practice to put a new layer of shingles over an existing layer. This was called a go over.  Today, with longer-lived fiberglass-based shingles in use, go-overs are not a good practice and may in fact void a shingle manufacturer’s warranty. 

 

In addition, ripping off the existing roofing system allows the contractor to properly ventilate, flash and waterproof the new roofing system, as well as make any necessary repairs before its application.

 

Preventing wind damage-According to the Blue Sky Foundation and Clemson University, improving roof sheathing attachment is a good, inexpensive way to avoid or reduce roof damage caused by high winds in hurricane-prone areas.  Re-nailing or screwing down the sheathing (the plywood or wooden planks attached to the rafters) when replacing your home’s roof covering is recommended.

 

The operative word here is SYSTEM!  Underlayment, ventilation, flashing, drip edge, possible repairs and shingles make up the roofing system and its final cost.

To get the best deal, the optimum mix of quality, service and price on your new roofing system, put your emphasis on finding a good contractor.  Ask HIM to provide you with choices of shingles that differ in price and quality.  Then you can weigh the variables of FINISHED cost, durability and appearance.  Good contractors realize they need to discuss your needs and preferences and do some “consulting” to win your business.

 

Fiberglass reinforced shingles dominate the market today.  They offer the homeowner many choices of colors and textures, as well as length of warranty for the right, custom mix of durability, appearance and affordability.

 

Some fiberglass laminated shingles, also known as architectural or dimensional shingles, are easy to install and quite affordable, when compared to the traditional higher-end roofing systems made of metal, tile, or slate.  Artificial slate roofs are also a contemporary option.

 

The typical single-family-home can be re-roofed in one to three days, perhaps longer if structural roof repairs and carpentry are needed.

 

Roofing Terms You Should Know (from the National Roofing Contractors Association)

Deck/sheathing: The surface, usually plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), to which roofing materials are applied.

 

Dormer: A small structure projecting from a sloped roof, usually with a window.

 

Drip edge: An L-shaped strip (usually metal) installed along roof edges to allow water run off to drip clear of the deck, eaves and siding.

 

Eave: The horizontal lower edge of a sloped roof.

 

Fascia: A flat board, band or face located at a cornice's outer edge.

 

Felt/underlayment: A sheet of asphalt-saturated material (often called tar paper) used as a secondary layer of protection for the roof deck.

 

Fire rating: System for classifying the fire resistances of various materials. Roofing materials are rated Class A, B or C, with Class A materials having the highest resistance to fire originating outside the structure.

 

Flashing: Pieces of metal used to prevent the seepage of water around any intersection or projection in a roof system, such as vent pipes, chimneys, valleys and joints at vertical walls.

 

Louvers: Slatted devices installed in a gable or soffit (the underside of eaves) to ventilate the space below a roof deck and equalize air temperature and moisture.

 

Oriented strand board (OSB): Roof deck panels (4 by 8 feet) made of narrow bits of wood, installed lengthwise and crosswise in layers, and held together with a resin glue. OSB often is used as a substitute for plywood sheets.

 

Penetrations: Vents, pipes, stacks, chimneys-anything that penetrates a roof deck. 

Rafters: The supporting framing to which a roof deck is attached. 

Rake: The inclined edge of a roof over a wall. 

Ridge: The top edge of two intersecting sloping roof surfaces. 

Sheathing: The boards or sheet materials that are fastened to rafters to cover a house or building. 

Slope: Measured by rise in inches for each 12 inches of horizontal run: A roof with a 4-in-12 slope rises 4 inches for every foot of horizontal distance. 

Square: The common measurement for roof area. One square is 100 square feet (10 by 10 feet). 

Truss: Engineered components that supplement rafters in many newer homes and buildings. Trusses are designed for specific applications and cannot be cut or altered.

Valley: The angle formed at the intersection of two sloping roof surface