What Can You Expect From a Roof Replacement in Grand Rapids?
Replacing the roof on your home is not something that happens only a few times in a lifetime for most people. Most roofs will last 20 years or more and it’s likely changed tremendously in those two decades that things will be different even if you have had a roof installed. In this article I’ll go over some of the details of a roof replacement in Grand Rapids Michigan and let you know exactly what you can expect from a roof replacement.
What Can You Expect From a Roof Replacement in Grand Rapids?
The most popular type of roofing material used in the Grand Rapids Michigan area and in fact, across the United States is asphalt shingle roofing. There are many different styles and grades of asphalt shingles and each has their own advantages. Warranties on asphalt shingle roofing can last 20 to 50 years typically so it’s likely if you use a quality roofing product you may never need to worry about the roof again as long as it’s maintained properly. The article below is based on what you can expect with a roof replacement in Grand Rapids when asphalt shingles are used. Other roofing materials will have similar methods but can be different and shouldn’t be assumed.
The article below is based on what you can expect with a roof replacement in Grand Rapids when asphalt shingles are used. Other roofing materials will have similar methods but can be different and shouldn’t be assumed.
Removing the Debris From the Old Roof
There are different methods for installing a new roof when it comes to asphalt shingle roofing. The first method is called re-roofing and it’s basically installing a new layer of shingles over the old layer. This can save money by having much less debris from the project and also requires less labor. The other method for installing a new roof is completely removing the old roof and then installing the new roof. There are advantages and disadvantages of both. But when the old roof is removed there will be lots of debris to remove and will need proper disposal. Sometimes a dumpster may be delivered to your home the day before a roofing project or home remodel project begins for this debris. Some roofing contractors in Grand Rapids Michigan will use specialty trucks which can store and dump the debris in an authorized location. Usually the entire project will only last a few days so you won’t need to have the debris present in your yard for long periods of time. During a roof replacement in Grand Rapids there tends to be at least a small portion of debris even for re-roofing projects.
Installing the Underlayment and Roofing Materials
Once the roofing surface has been prepped either by removing the old roof or if you’re re-roofing the home it’s time to install the underlayment. The underlayment is installed to add an additional layer of protection in case a roof leak occurs. Once the roofing surface has been prepped and the underlayment is in place the asphalt shingles will start to be added. Areas of the roof such as valleys are also sealed using metal flashing. Installing the shingles on the home typically only takes a day or two depending on the size of the home. Once the asphalt shingles are in place the roofing installer will cut edges to ensure the roof has straight lines and everything looks good.
Roofing Ridges, Vents, and Roof Penetrations
After the roofing surface has been placed the roofing contractor in Grand Rapids will add seals to the areas of the roof that protrude the roofing surface. These items can include things like chimneys, skylights, and ventilation pipes. Each of these items are sealed using products designed to match the roofing surface and to ensure the seal around the item is good. Typically at the top of the roof a ventilation layer of material is added to help promote proper ventilation in the roof known as a ridge vent.
Final Cleanup and Inspection of the Roof
Once all the roofing materials have been installed the roofing contractor will make an inspection of the home’s roof to ensure everything was done properly. During this time, any remaining debris will also be cleaned and removed from the area. If you’re getting a roof replacement in Grand Rapids, then this is the typical methods that are used.
