When it comes to your home, almost every element will eventually need to be replaced, including windows, siding, and eventually… your roof. Your roof will provide you with years of use and protection; however, even when properly installed and well-maintained it will eventually reach the end of its usable life and need to be replaced.
If you’ve recently heard those dreaded words, “It’s time for a complete roof replacement” it’s important to understand what your contractor means! A roof replacement involves a bit more than simply replacing your shingles.
An educated consumer is the best customer, so let’s take a look at what a complete roof replacement entails, how long it takes to properly replace your roof, and what affects the cost of your replacement roof.
What is A Complete Roof Replacement?
If your contractor has said you need a complete roof replacement, here some steps you should be aware of. They should be clearly outlined in your estimate.
- Removing the Old Shingles. Your shingles are a great indicator of the overall condition of your roof. Cracked, worn or curled shingles can be an important sign you need a complete roof replacement. This means tearing off everything right down to your roof’s wood decking and properly disposing of the waste before replacing your roof.
- Examine and Repair or Replace the Decking. Your roof’s wood deck is a critical element in the structural integrity of your home’s roof. It is the base of your roofing system and ensures your shingles remain intact. After your old shingles and underlayment are removed your contractor will examine the plywood decking to determine if it needs repair or replacement.
- Replacing The Underlayment. This water-resistant barrier is installed on the roof deck and covered with the shingles. A common underlayment material is roofing felt which uses asphalt as its protective material.
- Apply New Flashing, Drip Edging, and Ice Dam Protection. Some elements of the roof are prone to leaking and water damage. These areas include roof valleys, chimneys, skylights, or vents, wherever runoff is heavy. Flashing provides extra protection where different materials meet, such as in valleys or around a chimney. The drip edge is the metal edging around the roof’s edge. In Washington, our winters can be cold and ice can accumulate on the roof. To prevent ice damming a layer of waterproofing material is installed to prevent melting ice from backing up under the shingles.
- Repair, Replace or Install Ventilation. A properly ventilated roof contributes to the life of your shingles. Ventilation helps the air circulate in the attic, keeping the temperature cooler and extending the life of your entire roofing system.
- Replace Shingles. Once the decking, underlayment, ventilation, and flashing are complete it’s time to replace the shingles including the starter shingles, roof shingles, and ridge shingles.
- Cleaning Up. When the new roof is completed, your contractor will thoroughly clean up the job site, remove debris, and dispose of your old roofing.
How Long Does A Roof Replacement Take?
Replacing your home’s roof is a labor-intensive process. Depending on the complexity and size of the roof it can take one day up to a few days. The type of material used can also affect the time needed to replace the roof. For example, a standard asphalt shingle roof will typically take one to two days, where a natural slate or concrete tile roof can take a week or longer.
Other factors that affect the time needed to replace a residential roof include the weather, availability of materials, extent of the damage, inspection time, and the size of the crew.
What Does A Roof Replacement Cost?
Many of the same factors which affect the time needed to replace your roof will also impact its replacement cost. Roofing contractors will take several factors into account when quoting a price on a roof replacement. These include the pitch of the roof, its size and accessibility, and the cost of materials.
The actual prices can range widely. The largest cost factors for roof replacement are its size and the material used. For example, replacing a natural slate roof will cost much more than replacing a basic asphalt shingle roof.
When pricing a roof replacement, contractors charge based on a measurement called a “square.” A square is a 10×10 foot area. For example, a 3000 square foot roof is broken down into 30 squares.
Work With A Qualified Professional
Replacing your roof is an important home repair and should be done by a professional. If you suspect you may need a roof replacement give the experts at S&S Roofing a call. S&S is a family-owned and operated 4th generation roofing company located in Arlington, WA. When it comes to exceptional customer service, and affordable high-quality craftsmanship, S&S Roofing has been transforming homes in Snohomish and Skagit Counties since 2009.
