A good roof can make or break a house. A well-designed roof protects your home’s interior from Mother Nature. It serves as a barrier against rain, snow, and debris. It can also make your home more energy efficient. The roof also adds to the property’s curb appeal.
Homeowners have a range of roofing options to choose from. One of the most popular shingle roofing. Shingles are coverings designed with overlapping components. They’re often rectangular in shape but can come in various colors and styles. You can find one that will fit your design preference.
Another benefit of roof shingles is you can repair or replace a couple at a time. It’s best if you leave this job to a professional. But if you’re experienced and savvy enough, you can do it yourself. This post will give you a heads-up on how to start roofing shingles.
Protect Yourself by Taking the Right Precautions
Safety should always be your priority when doing any job around the house. That goes double when you’re working on the roof. It’s why you should take the time to prepare. You should start by clearing the work area. Remove any obstacles or plants close to the house as they could cause you to trip. Cover fragile plants with blankets or tarps. Move lawn furniture away from the house.
Plan to do this project on a clear day. Check the weather report and pick a sunny day to work. Rain and high humidity levels will leave moisture on the shingles. Wear proper clothing, like heavy denim pants and shoes with thick soles.
Ready the Roof
Once you’re done preparing yourself and the work area, it’s time to prepare the roof. Start by cleaning the roof. Remove twigs, moss, and other debris. You can then begin removing old or damaged roof materials. Start with shingles near the peak of the roof then work your way down. You can pry the material using a shingle-removing tool. A garden fork will also work well.
Put in the Flashing
Flashing is metal strips used to cover the joints and seams between roof protrusions. Roofing experts install flashings on chimneys and skylights. Don’t replace the flashing if it’s still in a good condition. But replace it once you see curling or corrosion.
Plot the Layout
You don’t need to do much planning if you’re only replacing a few shingles. But it’s crucial that you plan the shingles’ layout when you’re working with more. This is to ensure water won’t seep between the tiles and leak inside your ceiling.
Lay Down the House Shingles
Extra care is a must in every shingle installation. This can make or break your roof’s function and strength. How you install the shingles will also depend on the materials you’re using. Asphalt shingles are different from clay or metal ones. Whatever the material, most roofing specialists follow this process:
· Start from the bottom up. This doesn’t mean laying shingles from the edge of the roof going to the peak. While that works, you should first focus on the roof’s lowest layer. Install the drip edge first. It will give the roof a clean silhouette. It also acts as a barrier against water damage. The underlayment and edge flashing follow.
· Lay the starter shingles. Place a row of starter shingles along the eaves. Make sure they’re aligned with the drip edge.
· Install the rest of the shingles. Place the first row of house shingles over the starter. It’s best practice to lay a full roof tile at one end. Align the edges of the first row with that of the starters. Hammer a nail about two inches from the end of a shingle. Make sure you hammer the nail straight instead of at an angle. Add another nail one inch above the cutout. The next row you lay should cover the nails by one inch. Continue this pattern until you’ve done the whole field.
Leave It to the Professionals
A layman can learn to install shingles. But this job is best left to the professionals of A Affordable Roofing. We’re the best roofing contractors in Long Island and New York. We have the best skills honed by 30 years of experience. Our company can handle all types of roofing projects. From simple repairs to new roof installation. You can ring us at 832-299-3024 and let’s talk about what you need.
