Even if you’ve been in your home for years, you may not know what to expect during a roof replacement. Roofs are pretty long-lived structures, so most homeowners don’t need to navigate a roof replacement very often. Here’s the good news: your roofing contractors will do most of the work. However, it is still important to know what to expect – and what’s expected of you – when you have your roof replaced. We’ve broken it down into seven steps to understand the process better.

Step 1: Get Quotes

It’s always best to get more than one quote for a roof replacement. It’s a big job, and you want to hire a reputable company that uses suitable materials and communicates with you.

When comparing quotes, always consider more than the total price. Do you like the roof materials the roof company uses? Can they get to your project within a reasonable amount of time? Are they insured, and can they show you proof of insurance?

Your goal should be to select the company you feel most confident will take good care of your home. Sometimes, that does mean paying a little more up-front. However, hiring a good roofer will save you time and money on repairs for the next several decades.

Step 2: Prepare for The Roofers’ Arrival

Once you’ve selected a roofing company and scheduled your roof replacement, it is time to prepare your home and land for the work. Your roofer may give you specific preparatory steps to follow. Usually, you’ll need to do the following:

Move your vehicles so the roofers have access to your driveway.
Put away any patio furniture, lawn equipment, and toys.
Remove fragile landscaping items, like ceramic bird baths, from your garden beds.
Mark any fragile or valuable plants with a flag, and let your roofers know you’ve done so.
Mow your lawn. This makes it easier for roofers to clean up stray shingle fragments.

Step 3: Strip off the Old Roof

When your roofers arrive, they will begin stripping the old shingles off your roof. Typically, they will toss them down to a dumpster below. This part of the process is noisy, even from inside your home. So, you may want to find somewhere else for children and nervous pets to stay while the roof is removed.

The roofing company will handle shingle disposal. Your shingles may or may not be able to be recycled, depending on how and when they were made.

Step 4: Examine the Roof Deck

The roof deck is basically the wood that forms the base of your roof. It will be visible once the shingles are stripped off, allowing your roofers to examine it.

The roof deck is not typically replaced when you have a roof replacement. But if your roofers find the roof deck cracked, rotten, or otherwise damaged in some spots, they will replace the wood in those areas to create a structurally sound surface.

Step 5: Lay Down Underlayment and Drip Edge

Once the roof deck is secure, your roofing company will install something called underlayment. This is a water-resistant fabric or paper. It goes under the shingles to add another layer of water protection if a shingle goes missing or becomes damaged.

Your roofers will also install a drip edge at this stage. A drip edge is a plastic or metal sheeting placed along the roof’s edge, where water damage is most likely to occur. In areas where snowfall is a concern, roofers use extra-sturdy drip edges for more protection.

Step 6: Install Flashing

Flashing is metal that is placed around chimneys and some vents. If your roof has multiple sections that meet in a valley, your roofer will also put flashing in the valleys. Flashing adds another layer of protection to these seams. It helps to prevent leaks and deterioration of the roof deck.

Step 7: Shingle the Roof

With the drip edge, flashing, and underlayment in place, it is time for your roofers to start shingling. They’ll go along the roof’s edge and work towards the peak. This way, the shingles will overlap and offer multiple layers of protection for your roof.

The roof replacement process usually takes about two days unless you have a large home. If the roofers need to pause for rain, they can tarp the roof and return to work later.

What To Expect From a Roof Replacement With Gouge Quality Roofing

Now that you have a better understanding of what to expect when replacing a roof, let us help you further. If you’re located in Central Ohio and in need of a reliable roofing company, look no further than Gouge Quality Roofers. Our experienced team is here to provide you with a personalized quote, guide you through various shingle options, and share more about our customer-first approach. Partner with us for an exceptional roofing experience.