Whether you’re looking to boost curb appeal, protect your home from the elements or increase its energy efficiency, the right roof is essential. Roofing experts recommend hiring a professional to install your new roof.

To prepare for your new roof, clear outdoor toys and furniture away from the house to prevent damage and cover foundation plants with tarps. You’ll also need to remove wall decor because vibrations from hammering could knock it down. Visit https://www.ellingsonroofing.com/roofing-helena-mt to learn more.

Your home’s roof faces many stresses from the elements. Whether it’s freezing winter temperatures or sweltering summer sun, the constant exposure to weather conditions can lead to deterioration over time. This deterioration will eventually result in the need for a roof replacement. A new roof can change your home’s overall appearance, improve its energy efficiency, and even increase its value if you ever decide to sell it in the future.

The first step in a roof installation is choosing the right roofing materials for your project. You’ll also need a variety of tools and supplies to perform the actual work.

Roofing materials are available in a wide range of styles, colors, and materials. The type of roof you choose will depend on your home’s location, climate, and your aesthetic preferences. Some of the most popular roofing materials include asphalt shingles, metal, clay tiles, and slate. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you should consult with a professional to decide which is best for your house.

Some roof materials require special care or installation techniques. For example, wood is an attractive roofing material but is not suitable for all homes because it can be prone to moisture and wildfires. Additionally, wood is expensive and does not last as long as other roofing materials.

For these reasons, homeowners who live in areas with high humidity or wildfires often choose synthetic materials. Synthetic roofs are made from fiberglass or polymer that has a long lifespan and is resistant to fading and discoloration.

Other types of roofing materials include built-up roofing (BUR) and shingle roofs. BUR is one of the oldest roofing materials and is used on flat or low-pitch roofs. It’s composed of layers of roofing felt impregnated with hot tar. These layers form a water-resistant barrier that protects the wood decking and prevents moisture from entering the home.

When you’re installing a new roof, you must also install the underlayment and drip edge. The underlayment is a waterproof material that’s installed between the wood decking and the shingles to provide additional protection from water penetration. The drip edge is a piece of non-corrosive metal that’s placed on the edges of the roof to help prevent rainwater from splashing back up onto the shingles.

Safety

Roofs are a vital part of residential and institutional buildings, but working on one is also a dangerous job for front-line technicians. In fact, falls from heights are one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities. Facility managers can protect the health and safety of their roofing teams by streamlining and improving their facilities’ roof safety programs. Fall protection equipment is an essential part of this effort, but training and supervision are equally important.

Before beginning any work on the roof, it is important to remove all debris from the work area and block off the perimeter of the site. This helps keep people, pets, and vehicles at a safe distance from falling materials. Additionally, tarps can be placed over skylights to prevent people from falling through or tripping on them. Finally, any ladders used should be positioned so they do not intersect with power lines or other hazards.

It is also important to use proper tools and safety gear. This includes wearing a hard hat and securing it to the head using the strap, wearing gloves to avoid getting cut, and taking frequent breaks. It is also a good idea to wear rubber-soled shoes or boots that will grip the roof surface, and to bring water in case of dehydration. Finally, workers should always check that their personal fall arrest system is secure and in working order before climbing onto the roof.

Another important safety measure is establishing work zones on the roof, as illustrated in this image. This is a requirement for any facility that receives OSHA inspections. The HIGH DANGER zone is the area closest to the edge of the roof, while the LOW DANGER zone is 6 to 15 feet away from the edge. To prevent falls, employees must use warning lines or physical barriers to mark these zones, and they should implement a strict entry/exit protocol for them.

Beyond these measures, it is also crucial to understand the specific hazards that can arise when working on a roof and to develop an appropriate risk assessment process. This will help managers identify potential hazards and prioritize their mitigation strategies. Some of the most common risks include ice and water leaks, wind-driven damage, and debris accumulation. By addressing these issues early, facility managers can help their roofs last longer and reduce the need for replacement or repair.

Preparation

Roofing is a dangerous job and not one that you want to try on your own. Roofing professionals will bring their own safety equipment including hard hats, harnesses and ladders. They will also use tools that require power, such as hammers and nail guns. They may need to run extension cords across the roof or into your home. If you have plants or water features on your property, it’s best to protect them with tarps or place them behind barriers. Water can easily damage shingles or cause the underlying materials to degrade quickly.

It’s also a good idea to remove children’s toys, patio furniture, grills and any other items that will be in the way of the roofers’ accessing your house and work area. Keeping them clear will keep everyone safe and help the process move along more smoothly.

Clear out the attic before your roofing job begins. Conscientious roofers will be careful not to drop any dust on furniture or family heirlooms stored in the attic, but vibrations from the work can cause items to fall over or break. It is also a good idea to take down or cover fragile items hanging from your walls. The vibrations from hammering could knock them down or cause damage to the wall surface.

If your garden, flower beds or other landscaping will be in the way of the crews, it is a good idea to move them back a few feet or put them behind barriers. Plants are especially vulnerable to dropped shingles and the debris that will be swept up from the roof during installation. You should also mark or protect any particularly valuable, delicate or expensive plants by tying up or covering them with tarps.

Depending on the type of roof, it might be necessary to remove the existing shingles. If this is the case, it is a good idea to call your city or county planning department to see if a permit is required. If so, obtain one before starting the work. Some municipalities have specific rules on how far a roof must be from any trees or structures. If trees are close to the roof, they must be trimmed so that their limbs don’t get in the way of the workers or become shingle-deteriorating sources of algae.

Installation

Once the demolition and preparation phases are complete, it’s time to start installing your new roof. A professional roofing contractor will ensure that the roof installation process is done to the highest standards. This involves a series of inspections and quality checks that look for anything that could compromise the integrity of your home’s protective shield. This includes everything from ensuring that all the flashing is sealed properly to making sure that each tile or shingle is placed correctly and there are no gaps where water can seep in. The team will also check the roof valleys and other protrusions like chimneys or vents to make sure that they are properly sealed, too.

After the roof is installed, any remaining debris will be removed and the area around your house cleaned up. Then, tarps will be placed over any open areas of your yard or deck to keep roofing materials and other debris from falling on them. This is a critical step as it protects your belongings from weather and other elements. Then, the sheathing or roof decking and any existing shingles or tiles will be removed and set aside for reuse or trashed. If there are any problems with the sheathing, like rot or mold, this will be repaired prior to the roofing installation process.

A symphony of tools and techniques will come together during the roofing installation phase. The homeowner’s comfort and safety will be a priority, with clear communication and minimised disruptions to the home. Scaffoldings will be erected and protective equipment will be worn to prevent injuries and property damage. Vehicles will be moved, and any items outside the home, like trash bins, will be stored to avoid damage during the project.

Once the shingles are in place, they’ll be nailed or screwed into place with care and precision. Then, the roofers will cap your ridge (the top peak) with specialty shingles to further protect it from rain and wind. If you chose metal shingles, they’ll be secured in the same way, but the nails will be longer to allow for additional strength against the elements.