What to Expect with Your New Roof

At this point, you have submitted a service request for a new roof. Whether this is just for a new look, you have purchased a home with a bad roof, or it was just time to replace the one you have, you are getting a new roof. It is important to understand what to expect with your new roof, when to have it completed, etc, before a roofer actually steps foot on your property.

New Roof Installation
Installing a new roof is an experience that troubles most homeowners. Many think that a new roof installation means that their home with have no roof on it, that rain and snow and leaves will come falling in while roofers are on lunch break. This is simply not the case with new roof installation. Roofers are sensitive to your needs, and they are not about to do anything to your home that you don't want done. Hopefully, your nerves have been somewhat allayed about roofing installation, so let's move onto how to prepare.

Residential Roofing Material
If your roof is being completely replaced, keep in mind that your current roof needs to be torn out and hauled off and new roofing material needs to replace it. This might sound like the most remedial piece of information, but what you need to consider is the space in your yard for the roofers to pile the roofing remains, and where they can stack the new roofing material. Typically, a roofing company will back a dump truck up close to your home and toss the materials into the truck from your roof. This is the quickest way for them to remove the old roofing without having to restack it. From here, big companies will use a crane to move the roofing material from the truck to the roof. Small outfits will march bundles of shingles up a ladder, one step at time. It's grueling work.

If your roofers have told you that they will be pulling a truck up in your yard or a crane, do what you can to move items from your yard that are likely to be in their way.

Rotten Roofs
Depending on what roofing material you are putting on your roof, the integrity of the sub-roof needs to be inspected. If this OSB board is warped or otherwise unusable, it will need to be replaced. Don't worry, professional roofers have methods that will minimize the amount of space that will be vulnerable to the elements, and the amount of time as well. If you are adding a heavier roofing material than was on there before, like slate shingles, your roof might have to be reinforced. So be prepared for roofers to be in your attic if this is the case. Rotten roofs will need to be torn out and the sub-roof replaced.

Roofing Contractors
You roofer or roofing contractor is the best source for any and all questions about your new roof installation. Your roofing contractor can relate to you his exact methods and what are the best ways for you to prepare for his arrival and your new roof. So if you are ever in doubt, ask your roofer.