Understanding Shingle Installation
Because the roof isn’t an area for people to inspect on a regular basis, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to be confused about proper reroofing techniques and materials. Although a trusted Monmouth County roofing professional has all the training needed for a quality installation, concerned homeowners also need some background on how the roof system works. As the main protector of the home, the roof is one of the most important components to understand fully.
Roofers begin with a tear out of all the old roof materials. Although this process appears to be simple, professionals must remove the material without harming the decking below. Decking is the exposed wood surface that makes up the roof’s main structure. Professionals inspect this decking carefully before any further actions are taken. Any rot or decay across this wood must be replaced or repaired. The decking holds the bulk of the shingles’ weight so the wood’s strength must be maximized.
With a strong deck in place, roofing felt is installed next. This material appears like a black fabric across the roof. It actually adds another layer of moisture protection beneath the shingles. Felt also creates a barrier between roofers’ feet and the exposed decking to preserve the area’s structural integrity. Felt should cover the entire roof before shingles can be installed.
Homeowners will notice white lines appearing across the felt. These chalk lines allow roofers to align the shingles in a perfect line. The roof’s pitch is often an optical illusion, making proper shingle alignment difficult with just the naked eye. These lines are quickly covered up by the shingles for a perfect installation appearance.
With the roof prepared for the new materials, the shingles are ready to be installed. Although they look like small rectangles when completely installed, shingles are actually manufactured into sheets. Roofers add shingles by sections, starting at the roof’s edge. The purpose of shingles is to direct rainwater off the roof. By layering the materials, water continues to flow unimpeded down the shingles. Each section is nailed in using a nail gun. Once one horizontal layer is complete across the roof, professionals move up to create the next layer. The shingles must overlap to avoid any water leakage into the home.
All roofing companies have some variations to their installation technique, but all the basic ideas remain the same. A strong deck, thick underlayment and proper shingle orientation create a roof that lasts for decades. If there’s a question about installation, reputable roofers will help homeowners understand any concept before they continue. Have a question regarding roof repairs or new gutters? Ask a roofing professional from Fortified Roofing of Monmouth County NJ.
Common roofing term explained by Fortified Roofing of Monmouth County NJ:
Chalk lines
White chalk spread across a wire and snapped onto the felt in one quick motion. The chalky wire produces a perfect straight line across the felt without time-consuming measuring tapes or squaring tools.
Will professionals remove all the old roofing materials from a property?
Cleanup should be part of the roofing contract agreed to before the project began. Look over the contract to find this section. It’s critical for the roofing company to cover this project portion because old shingles take up a lot of volume and weight. The material must be taken to a proper waste management facility.
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