If it’s properly maintained, a well-built roof can last for many years, often decades. Over time, though, the damage caused by a ceaseless barrage of wind, rain, and sunlight will eventually take its toll. Sooner or later, even the most solidly constructed, well-cared-for roof will need to be replaced.
Because roof replacement is an event that usually only happens every few decades, most homeowners won’t have to do it more than once or twice (unless something catastrophic occurs). This means that most people who are not professional roofers won’t have much experience with the process. How exactly does it work?
Answering this question depends on a number of factors. What type of home do you have? What is your roof made from? And, of course, what is your geographic location? An area like Portland, where there’s a lot of rain, will have different requirements than an area that’s primarily sunny. Read on to discover what you can expect when you need to replace a roof in Portland:
Step One: An Inspection
Replacing your roof is a costly process, not to mention an invasive one. So it goes without saying that you should only have it done when it’s absolutely necessary. Of course, there will come a time when it is definitely needed, either because the roof has reached the end of its useful life or because it has undertaken catastrophic damage. Knowing when the roof needs to be replaced should come at the recommendation of a skilled roofer, such as one from Interstate Roofing. A good roofer will be able to tell you if you truly need to replace the roof or if the problem can be dealt with through a smaller maintenance job.
Step Two: Clear the Surrounding Area
As you might suspect, there aren’t too many bigger home renovation jobs than roof replacement. Portland homes, in particular, can be a challenge because of all the rain the area receives. Before you even start the process, you need to make a lot of room around the outside of the house. Park vehicles in the garage or away from the home, but not in the driveway. Move picnic tables and other objects elsewhere. Most importantly, make sure there won’t be any people or animals nearby while the roof replacement is taking place.
Step Three: Remove the Old Roof
Once you’ve made room for them to work, your roofer will begin clearing away the existing roof, making room for a new one. This, in and of itself, is a huge job. They will need to remove all the shingles that made up your old roof. Nails will be pulled out, and the entire structure will be disassembled.
Step Four: Roof Deck Inspection
Once the shingles and underlayment have been removed, your roofer will need to do another inspection of the roof deck. It’s possible, especially on old or damaged roofs, that the wood that makes up the roof deck of your home is rotted or otherwise weakened. If this is an issue, it will need to be replaced in the interest of safety. This isn’t necessarily an inevitable part of the process, however. The wooden infrastructure of a home, including the roof deck, can last an incredibly long time, provided it has been properly protected from the weather.
Step Five: Begin Building the Roof Back Up
If everything looks good and safe, it will be time to begin rebuilding the roof. When opting for a roof replacement, Portland homeowners don’t always want the exact same roof they had before. Sometimes, they choose to make an upgrade: better quality materials mean a longer-lasting roof, which also boosts curb appeal and adds to your home’s value. Your roofer from Interstate Roofing can make recommendations if you want a roof upgrade, rather than a simple replacement.
Step Six: Add a New Underlayment
Especially in Portland, or other rainy parts of the country, it’s critically important that your roof be water-resistant. This is where your underlayment comes in: made from a water-resistant material, it sits underneath the shingles and protects your home from the elements. There are several things roof underlayment might be made from; rubberized asphalt is particularly common. Your roofer will carefully lay down the material you’ve chosen and nail or staple it into place.
Step Seven: Replacing the Shingles
The next step will be to replace the shingles that make up your roof. This is an important one because shingles need to be properly affixed or they’ll simply be carried away the first time a heavy wind sweeps through your neighborhood. They also affect your home’s curb appeal and, therefore, value. Talk to your roofer about the best shingles to use in your area. Among the most common materials are asphalt, wood, metal, and slate.
Step Eight: Reattaching the Vents and Other Details
A roof can last for years, but your new roof won’t last long if it can’t effectively carry away water and snow away from your home. Your roofer will have to make sure that all the flashing, vents, gutters, and other details are in place to help protect your home from the elements.
Step Nine: Regular Inspections for the Lifetime of the Roof
In order to wring the maximum life out of your new roof, you’ll need to ensure that it’s cared for regularly. This is a big part of why a company like Interstate Roofing is a great choice for roof replacement. Portland roofers with years of experience, like Interstate, offer warranties on newly constructed roofs so that you can rest easy, knowing that wear and tear and damage can be handled easily.