Smart DIYers can save money by learning how to roof a house. It should not, however, be treated lightly.
In the end, getting the job done correctly will still require a fair amount of time and money. And that’s assuming you are skilled at what you’re doing.
It’s always a good idea to review the right way to roof a house and take into account best practices for safety and quality, regardless of how many times you’ve done it before or if it’s your first time. In order to do it right the first time, this guide will explain how to roof a house safely and correctly.
When To Roof A House?
As a do-it-yourselfer, take advantage of as many favorable weather conditions as you can, such as long, warm, dry days. This could happen during the summer depending on where you live.
Never assume fair weather, so always look at the 10-day weather forecast before tearing off the old roofing, even in the summer. Steer clear of freezing conditions. The asphalt adhesive on the shingles won’t stick when it is freezing or almost freezing.
Are You Able To Do Your Own Roofing?
There is no getting around the fact that roofing is laborious. There is nowhere to run from the weather. You must not be afraid of heights, and you must be in decent physical shape. Try this first before committing to this project on how to roof a house: Get a ladder out and ascend to the roof. Hiring a professional is a good idea if you can’t comfortably walk on it. Go to the home improvement store or lumberyard and sling a bundle of shingles over your shoulder if you passed this first test. Imagine yourself repeatedly carrying that load up a ladder.
Why not give this how to roof a house a try if you’re still feeling confident about it? By having your roofing supplier hoist the shingles onto the roof, you can avoid doing a lot of labor-intensive heavy lifting. Make sure the load is distributed equally along the entire length of the roof’s peak.
Materials Required For Roofing A House
You will require the following fundamental materials in order to add a new roof properly:
- Roofing nails
- Roofing sealant
- Self-adhesive waterproof underlayment
- Flashing for vents and valleys
- Drip edge
- Asphalt or asphalt-composition shingles
- Felt paper (either No. 15 or No. 30)
Assuming a conventional residential roof will be added in this instance, the primary material for the exterior covering is going to be asphalt or an asphalt-composition.
Nearly 80% of all residential roofs are constructed using asphalt or materials composed of asphalt, and they typically have a 20–25 year expected lifespan.
Tools Required For Roofing A House
It can take several days to DIY install a new roof on a house, so it’s crucial to gather all the necessary tools in advance to expedite the process.
Here is a list of the equipment needed to replace the roof on your house:
- Extension ladder
- Roof harness (*for safety purposes*)
- Chalk line
- Caulk gun (for adding sealant)
- Air hose or air compressor (for removing debris)
- Hammer
- Roofing stapler/nailer
- Straight edge
- Tin snips
- Utility knife
- saw
- Scaffoldingand tarpaulin (to protect from falling materials)
- Work gloves
Of course, if your building has a straightforward, standard residential roof, adding a new roof will be much easier.
However, if your roof has numerous structures, you’ll need the appropriate equipment to cut and shape the flashing for a precise fit, which is why you might need the tin snips and circular saw.
10 Steps To Roofing A House
The ten easy steps to adding a roof to a typical building are outlined in the following guide. Each one emphasizes the necessity of combining all of the roof’s layers into a single, comprehensive roofing system that can withstand the elements.
Remove The Old Roof
The first step is perhaps the most obvious one – you have to strip the old roof clean in preparation for installing the new one. You need to remove the old roof first, even if you just want to put in new flashing and underlayment.
To prevent the new shingles you are about to install from being torn by any nails you find as you remove the exterior layers, make sure to either remove or pound flat any nails you find.
Additionally, it’s beneficial to lay a tarp around your building to catch any falling debris because it is obvious that the removal of the old roof will result in a lot of waste and debris. A trash can be placed nearby for the used materials you are discarding.
Install Underlayment
You ought to now have a roof that is free of any debris. If not, you can always clean the surface with your air compressor.
The bare roof sheathing will then be covered with a self-adhesive underlayment. Since it will serve as a barrier against wind, rain, and snow, this underlayment needs to be waterproof. In fact, some building codes now specify how much underlayment must be used and how much of the roof it must cover.
You might observe that some of the old underlayment is still visible because this underlayment adheres to a building structure very well. As long as the roof surface is as level as possible, it doesn’t matter if you can’t completely remove everything.
Cover Underlayment With Tar Paper
The following step entails covering the underlayment with yet another protective layer. Please use No. 15 or No. 13 felt paper (also known as “tar paper”), which can be found at any home improvement store.
To make this felt water-resistant, a special mixture of asphalt or an asphalt-composition material was applied. Be sure to overlap each new layer by about 2 inches as you work your way up the roof.
This overlap improves your roof’s ability to withstand water damage by decreasing the likelihood that water will be able to pass between the layers during high winds.
Add Flashing
Most homeowners prefer to install drip edge flashing along the eaves to give the new roof the most aesthetically pleasing appearance possible.
This flashing is easily fixed in place with a few nails. Your roof has a nice, finished appearance thanks to this drip edge, which stops any materials from curling over the edge.
In order to prevent water from collecting there after a significant snowfall or period of heavy rain, you can also flash the valleys of your roof. Any structures that stick out from the roof, such as chimneys or vents, must also be flashed.
Every crease, opening, and corner must be considered because this flashing offers extra support and defense against wind-driven rain. Due diligence is required because your roof is only as strong as its weakest link.
Lay The Starter Shingles
The initial shingles that are applied to the roof are known as “starter shingles” by roofing professionals.” Given that they serve as the foundation for the subsequent rows you will be laying, it is crucial to get their positioning and orientation right.
Thus, it is advised that you use chalk lines as a guide. At the top, you need to locate the roof’s center. Create a vertical chalk line from there. You will then work consistently left and right of this line, using this line as a guide. Depending on the type of roof, you might prefer to move from left to right.
Install The Shingles
Here is where you’ll start constructing the building’s roof’s outer layer. The bulky bags of roofing supplies need to be transported to the rooftop, if you haven’t already done so.
Simply cut the tabs from the 3-tab shapes and apply them with their self-sealing adhesive layer as you get ready to lay down the first row. Along the eaves, the strips need to be upright.
The first row should have a slight overhang with the drip edge, according to the majority of roofing experts. No more than ¼ of an inch should extend from the drip edge of this overhang.
Additionally, remember the overlapping principle. Making sure that each new layer just touches the one before it as you work your way along the roof is important.
Nail Down The Layers
The maximum amount of wind and rain protection is required for roofs, so you must naturally make sure that your materials are firmly fastened to the surface. You just hammer them with a nail to accomplish this.
Each layer of shingles should be adhered flush with the starter ones and directly on top of them.
You can decide how many nails to use per one, but four are typically used per shingle. You might want to use up to six in places with particularly strong winds or gusts.
Use horizontal chalk lines up the roof if you need assistance getting the orientation correct. Laying perfectly straight rows one after the other is something you must never, ever, forget to do.
Install Additional Flashing If Needed
In terms of installing a new roof, you can never be too cautious. You must really make sure that every building or decorative element has been taken into account. Therefore, this is the time to use dormer flashing.
The window-containing structure that extends from the house as a whole is called a dormer. To find all the vents and stacks, you will also need to conduct a quick inspection of the rooftop. Flashing protection must be applied to anything protruding.
Cap The Ridge
The topmost part of the roof is called the ridge. The top area where the two sloped sides of the roof meet is where you will find this ridge on a traditional building. The ridge must be capped in order to give the roof additional security.
A perfectly straight ridge cap is necessary for the complete protection of your roof, but this step is frequently skipped.
Seal Up Any Exposed Nails And Remove Debris
In reality, this last step is a tidy-up step where you take care of all the little things. For instance, you might discover that some are still protruding, in which case you’ll need to hammer everything flat and seal up any openings. Additionally, consider caulking any exposed flashing.
You must transport all of these materials away because you most likely will have some waste and debris as a result of your hard work. Instead of worrying about carrying them down a ladder, it might be simpler to just place them directly into a trash can if one is nearby.
Safety Considerations When Roofing (diy Or Professional)
Your top priority while roofing a house should be your safety. Did you know that falls are the main reason roofers get hurt or die? Although hiring a qualified roofing contractor is the safest course of action, if you’re set on doing it yourself, make sure to follow these safety precautions.
- Never attempt to complete a task on your own; instead, enlist the aid of a few knowledgeable friends to speed up the process and ensure your safety. Sometimes, the difference between life and death is as simple as having someone to supervise and hold the ladder.
- A helmet and harness should always be worn. The following is a straightforward method to stay safe: wear your helmet. A helmet can protect you from dangerous situations such as falling from great heights, using defective nail guns, slipping on the roof, and falling debris. Wear your harness at all times, especially when mounting and dismounting the ladder.
- Have tool proficiency. Roofers use strong tools like nail guns and staplers powered by air compressors as well as pointed tools like hook blades and straight razors. Perhaps it would be best to hire a professional if you feel uncomfortable using any of the equipment. By taking precautions and receiving the necessary training, injuries from any of the aforementioned tools can be easily avoided.
- Avoid engaging in unsafe work. It would probably be best to postpone any roofing work if it has rained or is currently doing so. Rain makes the ground slick, greatly increasing the possibility of slips and falls. The identical holds true for windy days and lightning storms. If you’re unsure, simply wait for the bad weather to pass and only work on clear days, especially if you’re a novice.
Conclusion
It is overwhelming to consider a house’s roof. These instructions must be strictly followed in order to install a roof that maximizes both its functionality and lifespan. A skilled eye may be necessary in some roofing situations, though. If you need a roofing installation service that is quick and effective, you might want to think about hiring experienced roofing contractors.