How to Conduct a Roof Inspection
It can be tricky to lay shingles on a roof, so use a utility knife with hook blades to help you. Once you’ve positioned the shingles properly, you can cut the overhang with a utility knife’s hook blade. Make sure to run the shingles over the peaks on both sides of the roof. If you’re putting the roof on a small house, you can cut the overhang, so it doesn’t hang over the edge and fall off the roof.
The first step in inspecting the roof’s condition is to use a hammer to feel the wood sheathing. This will let you determine whether it has rotted or is simply old. Another way to tell whether the roof has deteriorated is to look for the light. Light coming through the roof is also a sign that rotted wood has caused water to penetrate. You should also hire Roofing professional if the condition of your roof is beyond your comprehension.
A gable roof is the easiest to measure, whereas a mansard or a gambrel roof is more complex. The more complex roof, the more waste you can incur. The shingles must be cut precisely to fit in a small space or nailed in even rows along the roof deck. Since not every square foot is the same, measuring a roof correctly is critical to ensuring it’s done right.
In the case of heavy rain, windblown rain may force water under the shingles. In extreme climates, water will eventually seep in and drip into the house. Luckily, self-adhesive waterproof underlayment can be found at home centers and roofing supply companies. In addition, it can seal around nails driven through it. If you live in a harsh climate region, ice barrier installation must be three to six feet above the eave. Most building codes will require this protection at least 2 feet above the exterior wall.
While tearing off the old roofing is almost always an option, there are times when you may want to re-roof your house. In this case, you’ll want to consider the weathering of the roof material as well. It’s a natural process that takes a few years. The new roofing material will change slightly as weathering occurs. You can also use a new shingle to cover an old one. And finally, if you’re tearing off the old one, you’ll want to make sure that it’s waterproof.
When it comes to shingles, you’ll find several different types. Asphalt roofing is a common choice and is one of the oldest types of roofing. Asphalt roofing has an attractive luster and is made of asphalt, an organic bituminous compound. Asphalt shingles, like most other types of shingles, can be installed without nailing. Using asphalt shingles, however, means that you may experience blisters after they dry. A good asphalt roof cement conforms to the ASTM D4586 standard.
Felt paper is also a good choice. Felt paper sheds water under the shingles and helps protect them from wood decking. Felt paper also raises the fire rating of a roof. Felt paper is available in several weights at most roofing suppliers. A good rule of thumb is to choose the heavier weight felt paper. This material is much less likely to wrinkle than the thinner felt paper and is safer for walking on steeper roofs.