4 Common Types Of Residential Roofing Projects
Posted on: 14 August 2019
Tackling residential roofing work can get involved, and it's a good idea to learn a bit about how professionals discuss their jobs. Residential roofing contractors frequently talk with customers about four common kinds of projects. If you're preparing to hire someone who provides residential roofing services, this list will help you communicate more effectively with them.
1. Installation
In the residential roofing world, installation is the initial process of putting fresh materials down on top of new construction. This is a common part of building efforts, and roofs are frequently among the first elements of a structure that's installed after framing to protect everything underneath. The residential roofing contractors assist you will lay down new decking, felt and materials to provide a barrier against the elements.
2. Re-Roofing
As a shingled roof ages, it should be possible to lay down new materials on top of the old ones. Depending on the size and weight of the roof, it should be practical to do this between three and six times before the whole pile has to be torn out and replaced. Residential roofing contractors simply nail the new shingles into the old ones. Most other kinds of products, such as metal roofing, cannot be layered like this.
3. Replacement
Eventually, the roof will get to the point where it's simply not reasonable to continue adding layers of materials. Underlying structures such as support beams and decking may become compromised, and they will have the torn out and replaced. Proof of this sort of problem often shows up as saddlebacking and water collecting on the roof.
Even if the decking and beams hold up well, there is a limit to how heavy a roof can become with new layers. 100 square feet of shingles in a single layer will usually weigh between 180 and 240 pounds. Add four layers on top of the original shingles, and pretty soon you're talking about more than a half-ton of weight on top of a house. Folks in cold climates also have to worry about snow, and that can be a formula for a roof collapse.
4. Repairs
Not every problem calls for the whole roof to be worked on. A tree might punch a hole in the roof, or there may be a leak because water happened to find a seam where some materials dried out and separated. These issues can often be solved with patches, new materials or roof cement.
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