The various aspects of a roof work in concert with each other to make the roof waterproof, long-lasting, and attractive. The materials and hardware must be chosen by an experienced, high-quality roofer to ensure that your roof lasts for decades. 

Here in the Greater Philadelphia area (including the Main Line), there are many older/historic homes and larger custom-built homes that need special care when replacing a roof. Be sure to work with a reputable roofing company so the job is done correctly.

Materials

The major materials of a roof installation include:

  • Decking/sheathing
  • Ice and water shield
  • Flashing
  • Underlayment
  • Drip edge
  • Top roofing material, usually shingles or metal
  • Vents and piping
  • Pipe boots

The general roofing process

As any highly-skilled, experienced roofer knows, every roof is a little different and needs its own special attention, especially in the small details. That said, the typical roofing process for a home is as follows:

  1. Remove old shingles (or other top layer), underlayment, and flashing.
  2. Inspect existing decking for any damage. Decking, also called sheathing, is the layer of material laid on top of the roof frame – usually wood panels for residential homes.
  3. Repair any damaged existing decking. Severe damage may have affected the framing below, which would need to be addressed.
  4. Install ice and water shields in the roof valleys (the low area where two roof surfaces meet) and other vulnerable areas.
  5. Install an ice and water barrier around the edges of the roof and nail it down for extra stability.
  6. Install drip edges (this is installed in two phases – before the underlayment along the eaves, that is, the hanging edges of the roof, but over the underlayment along the rake edges, that is, the flat sides of the roof that don’t overhang).
  7. Install the underlayment. The underlayment is generally a material made of felt, sometimes with synthetic, and rolls out looking something like tar paper. It comes in various thicknesses and designs and its purpose is to waterproof your roof, protecting the wood decking below.
  8. Install pipes and vents (depending on the pipes or vents, some may be installed before underlayment or after roofing) and paint them to match the roofing material.
  9.  Install flashing around chimneys, along walls, skylights, and other features. Flashing is generally a thin, rust-resistant material, such as copper, aluminum, or galvanized steel, and is usually – but not always – installed under the top roofing material. Different kinds of flashing are used for different features, are installed differently, and have varying costs.
  10. Lay the top roofing material, usually shingles or metal roofing.
  11. Install the ridge cap.
  12. Clean up thoroughly. 

Where some poor-quality roofers cut corners

Some inexperienced or unscrupulous roofers may attempt to cut corners in order to keep the costs low. They may low-bid in order to get the job, or they may pocket the savings themselves. Watch out for these typical areas where a roofer might cut corners:

  • Reusing old flashing material and old vents – new holes won’t go into the old holes in the old flashing or vents and new material may not fit snug around them, thus allowing water to seep below the surface.
  • Cutting corners with the amount of roofing materials used
  • Using the wrong types or sizes of nails or nailing techniques
  • Not thoroughly checking existing decking and not replacing damaged parts
  • Using 3-tab asphalt shingles for ridge capping instead of shingles designed specifically for the cap
  • Not sealing vent and pipe boots properly under the shingles or metal roofing materials and ensuring a tight fit
  • Using the wrong types of flashing

Cutting corners could significantly compromise the waterproof quality of your roof, decreasing its lifespan and possibly causing substantial damage to your home. You may be able to identify some of these issues by looking at the detailed estimate and the Scope of Work that should come along with the estimate. For instance, if the estimate doesn’t include flashing and the scope of work doesn’t include laying new flashing, you know they’re cutting corners. But it won’t be easy to tell if they are shirking on materials unless you compare their estimate to that of another, more reputable roofer.

To prevent the risk of falling prey to the wrong roofer, we recommend you only get estimates from roofing companies that are well established, local, and can provide you with a list of satisfied customers to contact. 

Keeping the roof over your head in great shape will protect your home for years to come. When you hire a local, certified, reputable, and experienced roofing expert, you can avoid roofing problems. Contact us at (610) 353-2895 today from anywhere around the Main Line area so we can get started on your new, beautiful roof to enhance the value and safety of your home.