Your roof fulfills an important job—it shields your home from the damaging effects of rain, wind, snow, and ice.
So when your roof isn’t performing at its total capacity, it’s time to consider investing in a replacement. Thankfully, getting a new roof doesn’t have to be stressful, but you might still feel overwhelmed about your upcoming project without a complete understanding of the installation process.
To put your mind at ease, we’ve gathered all the essential information you should understand before having a reliable contractor install your roof. Here’s everything you need to know!
What Should I Expect During the Roof Installation Process?
From start to finish, a roof replacement takes roughly three weeks to two months to complete. The entire process includes inspection, permitting, and installation.
Inspection
Time: 1-3 weeks
During this phase, your roofing contractor will examine your current roof to determine the scope of work and price for your replacement.
Permitting
Time: 2-4 weeks
Once you’ve agreed to the quote, your contractor will secure the necessary permits to complete your replacement.
Installation
Time: 3-5 days
During this step, your contractor will remove the old shingles and install the new roofing system on your home. We’ll outline this part of the process in more detail below.
9 Steps of the Roof Installation Process
It’s helpful to understand the methods your professional contractor will use to install your new roof. Here’s an overview of the step-by-step process the crew will follow:
1. Remove Old Roofing
Your current shingles, as well as damaged flashing and drip edges, are removed by the roofing team and disposed of in a roll-off dumpster.
2. Repair Roof Decking
If only minor repairs are needed, your roofer will fix your existing roof decking. However, if significant repairs are required from severe damage, your roofer will install new plywood sheathing.
3. Install Ice Dam Protection
An ice guard membrane is installed to protect your roof against water damage from wet, snowy winters in Indianapolis.
4. Lay Roofing Paper
Asphalt roofing paper (or felt) is nailed or stapled in overlapping rows toward the roof peak. It provides an extra layer of waterproof protection between your shingles and the decking.
5. Apply Drip Edge
Metal drip edging is nailed over the roofing paper along the edge of your roof. It directs rain and snow away from the fascia boards to prevent water damage.
6. Add Valley Flashing
Although it’s not always necessary, valley flashing can be applied to the peak (where the two sides of your roof meet together) to prevent water from seeping into your attic.
7. Apply New Shingles
Shingle application will start at the roof’s edge and move up toward the peak to add extra water resistance and curb appeal to your home. During this time, your roofer will also place flashing over any area prone to leaks, like chimneys, vents, and skylights.
8. Position Ridge Vent
This long vent situated on your roof peak helps to circulate the air in your attic. Ridge vents expel hot air from inside your home to prevent the formation of ice dams.
9. Clean Job Site
When your roof installation is complete, the crew will remove all metal nails, staples, and other debris from your lawn and haul away the old roofing. Then, the installation will be inspected. Once it’s approved, you can enjoy your beautiful new roof!
Factors that Can Impact the Length of Your Roof Installation
Most contractors can complete an average roof installation in three to five days. However, several unforeseen factors can delay the process. Three of the most common include:
Storm Damage
It’s common for your roof to suffer damage from wind, rain, hail, and snow over the years.
However, if your roof has experienced extreme water damage, your roofer will usually need more time during the installation process to remove your shingles and repair the roof decking.
Code Requirements
If you live in an older home or historic neighborhood, your roof may lack some important elements required by today’s safety codes.
These repairs may extend your project’s timeline by a few days, but they will add years to the lifespan of your new roof.
Mold and Pests
Your contractor may discover mold, mildew, or an infestation of rodents, termites, or other insects during the replacement process.
Before your contractor can progress with the installation, you will need to contact a mold remediation specialist or pest control company to fix these underlying problems.
Tips to Prepare for Your Roof Installation
To ensure your roof replacement goes as smoothly as possible, complete the following to-do list before the roofers arrive on the first day of installation.
- Trim your lawn so the roofing crew can quickly locate nails, staples, and other loose items while they are working.
- Cover items in your attic with a plastic tarp, so they are protected against dust, nails, and other debris.
- Move loose outdoor items, like plants, lawn furniture, and decorations away from your home.
- Park your vehicles in the garage to prevent costly damage from stray roofing materials.
Simplify the Roof Replacement Process with the Help of an Award-Winning Local Contractor
We hope this information about the roof installation process has helped you feel more prepared for your upcoming project.
However, we understand you might still have more questions about the replacement process. Or perhaps you’re curious about which shingles are best for your replacement or what the cost of your new roof will be
.Get your questions answered with our complete roofing guide—filled with helpful information to give you confidence that your roof installed by award-winning JD Hostetter will stand the test of time!
