The average roof needs to be replaced every 15 to 20+ years. Depending on the age of your home, your roof very well may be at the age where it is time to consider a roof replacement. When it comes to a roofing replacement project, you will likely have a lot of questions. This type of home improvement project can cost thousands of dollars, so you need to be comfortable with the roofing contractor you are thinking of hiring. Anyone who isn’t willing to take time to speak with you in detail and answer your questions is a huge red flag. When a project this large comes to play, any salesperson at a reputable roofing company will do everything they can to win you as a client. Don’t fall for freebies or gimmicks, however.
The better educated you are with the process and who you are working with, the more at ease you will feel. You will be able to arrive at the best decision for you and your home. It’s always advised to get at least two quotes for any roofing project to ensure you are getting fair pricing. This blog will describe the importance of betting your salesperson and go over the 10 steps involved in a roof replacement.
Vet Your Salesperson
The first part of any roof replacement process is interacting with the salesperson. This individual should be incredibly knowledgeable in your roofing project and be able to explain it in detail. It always helps if you have a good understanding of what your roof may need.
When you are vetting your salesperson, this is the time to ask as many questions as possible. You need to understand your warranty coverage along with your financing options. In addition, you need to know the answers to the following questions:
- Do they require a large down payment?
- Is their labor covered by a warranty should a leak occur?
- What about the manufacturer’s warranty for the roof materials?
- Will your roof survive a hurricane?
While you ask your questions, pay attention to the answers you are being given. If the salesperson doesn’t have answers or is giving general statements, it is safe to assume that you will not get the best quality roof possible. Take the necessary time to vet your salesperson and understand what kind of contract you are getting into.
10 Steps To The Roof Replacement Process
Before you begin your roof replacement or installation project, you need to understand the process itself. If you don’t understand the process, you may end up singing a contract with a company that doesn’t provide a quality job.
Remove Existing Roof Material: Your roofing company’s team will come in and remove existing shingles, tiles, or other materials from your roof. Any damaged flashing or drip edging will also be disposed of at this time. The best roofing companies will do everything to protect your home and surrounding vegetation in addition to using magnetic tools to pick up any metal objects (like nails) that may have fallen.
Make Necessary Repairs: Roofs in good conditions may or may not need minor repairs. Roofs that are in poor condition will need new wooden sheets installed in order to create a solid base for the new roof.
Install Roofing Paper Over Sheathing: Roofing paper creates a barrier between your home and the elements. This prevents leaking and water penetration. Roofing paper is overlapped and tacked/stapled into place.
Apply Metal Drip Edging: This edging is installed on the eave sides, gable sides,and edge of the roof. It is nailed into place to control the flow of water.
Apply Valley Flashing: Wherever necessary, valley flashing is installed and sealed with roofing caulk. This further helps control rainwater flow.
Install Roofing Material: Whether your new roof will have shingles, tilles, or another material, it will more often than not, be installed by starting at the eaves and working toward the peak.
Begin Flashing Installation: Any areas that are prone to leaks (e.g. chimney, skylights, stack vents, etc) need flashing. This will help prevent any costly damages from water leakage in the future.
Install Ridge Vent: To help with air circulation in the attic, a ridge vent must be installed along the peak of the roof. It helps exhaust hot air during Florida’s summer season.
Complete Clean Up: Any remaining debris should be picked up and removed. A final walkthrough should be conducted to ensure no tools, nails, or materials remain.
Roof Inspection: Your building inspector should come out and approve your roofing project. Otherwise, you may not be able to sell your home in the future. If your inspector doesn’t come out in a few days, give them a call or contact your roof contractor.
It’s incredibly important to ensure your roofing contractor is not only licensed and insured, but also obtaining your permit. Make sure the permit is visible before anyone starts step 1. Without a permit that is approved once the job is complete, you may end up paying to have a complete roof replacement completed when it comes time to sell your home.
Best Roofing Company In Tampa Bay - We're Here When You Need Us
When you need a quality roof replacement, roof installation, or roof repair, you can end your search with Mitchell and Sons Roofing. We understand that roofing projects and roof replacements are not your specialty. That’s why we have a sales team that is willing to answer every question you may have during your roof inspection. We can educate on what to expect with your roofing project so that you understand what is going to happen every step of the way.
We encourage homeowners in New Port Richey, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and other areas in Tampa Bay to contact us today for your no obligation free quote. We will provide you with a quality residential or commercial roof for the best price and within a reasonable timeframe.
-Ryan Listerman, Project Manager
