What to Expect During Roof Replacement: Timeline and Tips
Roof replacement is a significant undertaking for any homeowner. As you embark on your roofing journey, it can help to understand what to expect during the new roofing process to help alleviate stress and minimize any surprises that may come your way.
This guide will walk you through the key factors and primary stages involved in your roof replacement.
5 Key Factors of a Roof Replacement
How long a roof replacement takes depends on a variety of key factors. Being aware of these elements can help you have a more realistic view of your project’s timeline.
Size and Shape of Your Roof
The square footage of your roof is perhaps the biggest factor affecting how long it takes to replace a roof. Naturally, a larger roof will take longer to replace than a smaller one. The landscape of your roof is equally important — steep slopes, chimneys, skylights and multiple layers on your roof add increased complexity to the work.
Size of the Roofing Team
A larger crew working on your roof tends to be more efficient, though they may cost more as the company will need to cover each of the roofers’ wages. Still, more manpower means faster installation times, so it’s less likely that you’d have to pay for extra working days to finish the roof.
The Types of Roofing Materials
Your chosen roofing materials will have different tear off and installation processes. For example, slate or tile shingles often take longer than a typical asphalt shingle due to their weight. Asphalt shingles are much lighter, which can lead to much quicker tear offs and installations.
Installation of roofing materials can also vary in time depending on tools used. Underlayment, nail guns, chalk lines — precision and performance takes time to install, but it’s worth the wait.
While some types of shingles require roofers to apply adhesive, most asphalt shingles feature a self-adhering strip, like IKO’s FastLock® sealant, to help secure the shingle to the roof and speed up the installation process.
Make sure you explore residential roofing material options before making your decision to find the perfect shingles for your home.
Weather Conditions During Installation
Roofers shouldn’t be on your roof on rainy or snowy days. If you live in an area with frequent precipitation, your roof installation may face delays until the weather cooperates.
Step 1: Old Roof Tear Off
The first major step in the roof installation process is the roof tear off. A roof tear off is the complete removal of shingles, underlayment and flashing, stripping your roof down to the roof deck. In some cases, roofers may have to replace portions of your roof deck if there are signs of rot or other damage.
The roofing team will likely bring a dumpster into your driveway to easily toss debris from the roof. Move your cars out of your driveway during installation to avoid getting damaged by the falling debris.
How Long Does a Roof Tear Off Take?
For an average-sized roof, a roof tear off can wrap up in a single day. Roofers may tear off sections at a time and install the new roof system before moving onto the next section, limiting exposure of the roof deck.
Larger and more complicated roofs may take longer if roofers have to navigate steeper slopes or layered roofs.
Should I Stay Home During the Roof Tear Off?
Roofers won’t need to be inside your home, but the tear off process can be quite noisy and disruptive. The falling debris may also leave nails and other sharp objects strewn about your yard. While you don’t need to leave during this process, you may consider making arrangements for you and any children and pets to go somewhere else to avoid being disturbed by the commotion and debris.
Step 2: New Roof Construction
Once the old roof is removed and the roof deck is inspected and repaired, the new roof installation begins. Roofers may need to replace flashing around chimneys, vents and valleys to prevent water seepage. Then they will install the underlayment to act as a barrier against water and ice. Your chosen roofing material will then be installed, including the starter shingles, ridge vents and ridge caps.
How Long Does it Take to Install a Roof?
A roof installation may take one or two days to complete — slightly longer than the roof tear off, depending on the size and complexity of your roof. You want roofers to take their time with your new roof, ensuring every nail is perfectly placed and every shingle is lined up exactly where it needs to be.
Should I Stay Home During Roof Replacement?
While a new roof installation tends to be less noisy than the tear off, there is still a lot of activity and commotion going on above your home. If you choose to stay home, expect a noisy day ahead. Make sure your children and pets are kept in a safe space inside your home and away from the work zone.
Get Prepared for Roof Replacement
When all is said and done, it’s not unreasonable to expect a single-family home’s roof to be completed in a day or two from start to finish.
Understanding the timeline and the various steps involved in a roof replacement will help you prepare for the project and communicate effectively with your roofing contractor. By considering factors like roof size, material choices and potential disruptions, you can approach your roof replacement with confidence and ensure your home is well-protected for years to come.
Now that you know what to expect out of the timing of the project, it’s time to consider the cost. Dive into our article, How Much Does a New Roof Cost, as we explore variables you should consider when estimating the cost of your new roof replacement.
