Learn exactly what you can expect from the reroofing experience at your home with this deep dive into the professional process
Roofing is a critical part of a home that’s not to be overlooked. Yet many homeowners simply pay no mind to their roofs, and with good reason. They’re the type of structural necessity that only calls attention to itself when a problem arises or the signs of wear become markedly visible to the naked eye. Such signs can include anything from cracked shingles or metal sheeting to algae growth and discolouration.
More than likely, you’ll do some research and, depending on the age of your existing roof, determine that the time has come for reroofing. But while this sounds like a major project to undertake, you’ll be glad to know that almost all of the work is managed exclusively by your roofer. All you need to do is choose the new roofing material that you prefer and do a small bit of prep work to get your space ready for the job ahead.
To put your mind at ease, let’s take a look at all of the steps to reroofing a house. You might be surprised by just how straightforward it is, especially if you hire a qualified and experienced professional.
If you want to learn more about reroofing, check out our other resources:
1. How Much Does Re-roofing Cost?
2. How To Choose The Best Reroofing Service
3. Re-Roofing vs. Roof Replacement
4. How Long Does Re-roofing Take?
5. How Do You Know If You Need Re-Roofing?
Getting ready for your roof replacement
Thankfully, the majority of the work will be left to the roofers themselves. But there are some steps you can take to get your property ready for your reroofing. In fact, you can consider this a Step Zero that should be observed before anything gets underway overhead.
Consider that your home is about to become a temporary work zone. As such, you’ll want to take the following actions where appropriate.
- Remove hanging decorations. Vibrations could cause things to tumble down unexpectedly.
- Move your autos. Either garage them or move them down the street to avoid falling debris.
- Clear your patio. In the same vein, you’ll want to protect your patio furniture from the work space.
- Consider your attic. If you have a loft, cover or move any belongings you have tucked away there.
- Shut windows and doors. Making sure the house is secured will keep out dust and limit the noise.
The steps to reroofing a house
With your hatches battened down and your home ready for the team to get started, you might be wondering what’s happening up there with all that noise and bluster. The roofing crew will have all of the materials, equipment, and know how needed to get your reroofing job done right. But here’s a general overview of what they’ll be up to up there.
#1. Inspection
It all starts with an understanding of the condition that the roof is in to start with. The existing timbers and battens will be inspected to determine how extensively the reroofing effort will need to go.
#2. Preparation
The roofers will get started by preparing their work space for safety and efficiency. In many cases, this include installing a temporary guide rail so that everyone can work safely. This also includes the maneuvering of ladders and equipment into proper positioning.
#3. Demolition
This might sound like a harsh word, but the roofers will need to remove much of what is already in place on your roof before you can have a new one. That includes everything from existing shingles to sheeting. The entire old roof will need to go before work can continue. This phase also requires efficient and proper disposal of debris along the way.
#4. Surfacing
The next step is to get the new surface prepared to accept the new roof. This includes unrolling and installing sheeting or sarking. This process usually starts from the bottom of the roofline and works its way up to the eaves. New battens can then be nailed onto the rafters to finish the surfacing and preparation.
#5. Roofing
This is where your roof starts to truly take shape. Your roofing materials are hoisted up to the roof and put in easy access for the crew to get started. From there, the shingles, tiles, or metal sheeting, are slowly and precisely installed in place to create your new roof. Again, this process typically starts at the roofline and works its way up to the eaves with fasteners used along the way to secure the new roof. Ridgelines are also fitted and finished once the majority of the roofing is in place.
#6. Clean up
With the new roof firmly in place, a truly professional team will do their best to clean up the space and leave it in as good a condition as they found it in. That includes removing all debris, dismantling all safety equipment, and doing a routine check to make sure that everything is finished and final for your new roof.
What else to expect from your reroofing project
You’re probably already more at ease understanding the steps that go into reroofing a house. But how long is this going to take to complete? Well, that depends on a few factors, namely the weather. Reroofing should be done in ideal weather conditions without rain or extremes in wind. Another variable is how big your roof is. The larger the roof, the longer it will take to demo and reroof all of the materials. That said, you can expect a roof replacement to take anywhere from 2-3 days tops.
Another great thing to keep in mind is how long your new roof is set to last. When you choose a metal clad roof, for example, you can rest assured that your new roofing will last up to 100 years depending on the brand and how well maintained it is over the years. Other roofing types, such as tile, will last upwards of 50 years or more. So for a little bit of disruption (and a bit of hammering overhead), you can have a safe and sound new roof that will last for decades upon decades.
Get the best reroofing experience in Brisbane with Vincent Roofing
Reroofing doesn’t have to be a hassle for the homeowner when you choose the best team in Brisbane for the job. And at Vincent Roofing, we have just that! Our expert roofers are savvy in all things reroofing and pride themselves on a professional and experienced approach that enlivens every job. We only work with the highest quality materials and offer a wide range of reroofing services so you can rest assured that your new roof will be built to last. We even offer a 7-year warranty on all our project work.
Call us on 0432 660 047 for a fast and free quote today!
