Whether due to a natural disaster, severe weather, or ordinary wear and tear, the truth is that your roof, inevitably, will eventually need to be replaced. A roof replacement is a big, complex job that should only be done by professionals. At Siesta Roofing, our professional roofing contractors will do the job quickly, efficiently, and thoroughly so that your home is safe, secure, and beautiful once again with minimal disruption to your daily routine.
The amount of time that the roof replacement process takes depends on a couple of factors; the size of the roof being the main one. The type of roofing material is another factor. Asphalt roofs have the quickest turnaround time, usually completed within two days, depending on Florida counties inspection wait times. Metal roofs are usually completed in three to four days depending on the size of the home, while roofing materials like tile or slate, can take up to a week to complete.
No matter the type of roof, or the reason for its replacement, Florida residents can trust the roofing contractors at Siesta Roofing to do the job in a timely manner and to their complete satisfaction. Call us today and let us stop by your property to give you a no-obligation estimate on your roof replacement process.
In this article we have taken some of the most frequently asked questions from homeowners, and hope to thoroughly answer all them so you are informed and prepared. We will also go over the process of a roof replacement step-by-step.
At Siesta Roofing, our professional roofing contractors will do the job quickly, efficiently, and thoroughly so that your home is safe, secure, and beautiful once again with minimal disruption to your daily routine
Roof Replacement Steps
Step 1: Choosing the Right Roofing Contractor
Working with the right contractor is the first step in this step-by-step guide to roof replacement. The skill and experience of your contractor can affect the quality of your roof. With the right contractor, you will get a long-lasting roof that can handle the brutally hot climate and many many inches of those very often Florida rain storms.
A great contractor is someone who:
- Communicates clearly and effectively
- Is professional and through
- Is licensed and insured
- Has great reviews and cares deeply about their customers
Choosing the wrong contractor can put both your home and your mental health at risk. From an incorrect installation due to lack of education and experience, to rude and uncompassionate customer service. Avoid all this and choose Siesta Roofing!
Step 2: Choosing the Right Materials
Before the roof replacement can begin, you need to choose the right materials. Some are more appropriate for certain regions than others. It is important to choose a material that will work well in your climate and at the same time give you the right look for your home's appearance.
If you have a low pitch on your roof, you may be limited to certain materials. Regardless, our roofing specialist from Siesta Roofing will work with you to make sure you select the most appropriate material for your home and your budget, giving you all your possible options.
Here are some popular roofing materials:
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are affordable and easy to find. They come in a variety of shapes and colors to compliment your home’s style. With many different color options and styles, this is the preferred roofing option and most popular among today's homeowners.
Metal Roofs
Metal roofing has increased in popularity due to its durability to withstand hurricanes and extreme weather. You can even find metal roofs that look like shingles (Worthouse for example) as well as full sheets in a wide variety of metals and colors. Metal roofs are more expensive than traditional asphalt shingles but outlast the traditional roof and hold up much longer in Florida's climate.
Slate
If you want a roof that is high-end and appealing, consider slate. This will be however one of the most expensive options and is a quite heavy product. The repairs can also be costly and difficult, but the final look does not compare to any other roofing system.
Composite Slate
For a more affordable slate-like alternative, consider composition slate. It is made with recyclable materials to mimic real slate, but is much lighter and less likely to experience damage from extreme weather in Florida.
Tile
Tile roofing products can be made of either clay, concrete or ceramic materials. This roofing system is especially popular here in Florida. It is fire retardant, but does put a significant amount of weight on your roof. You can find some alternatives to clay or ceramic that are lighter but just as visually appealing. Just ask a Siesta Roofing team member to learn more about any roofing system.
Step 3: Removing the Old Roof
The old shingles should be removed before the new roofing materials are laid down. In some rare cases, new roofing material can be placed over the old one.
Although removing the old roof sounds like a simple task, it requires the right equipment and manpower.
At this stage, Siesta Roofing will cover foliage with tarps since some of the materials of the old roof will fall to the ground and take necessary precautions to protect any part of your property. We will also place plywood against your windows and doors to prevent any damage if deemed necessary.
We will only remove the old roof when the new materials are delivered and ready for installation. This will avoid unnecessary damage to the structure of your home so that it is not left open for days or weeks subject to the elements.
Step 4: Inspecting the Wood Decking
Roof decking provides a solid base for the roofing materials to be properly installed and nailed to. If the roof needs to be replaced because of damage from severe weather or falling debris, then there is a chance that the decking will have sustained some damage as well.
The decking could also become soft or rotted due to collection of moisture over the years. Your Siesta Roofing roof specialist will perform a thorough inspection of the roof to make sure that the decking is in good condition for the new roof to be secure. If damaged decking is found, it will be replaced to uphold the reliability of the roof. There is usually an extra charge for each sheet/board replaced as more often than not, you cannot see damaged decking until after the old roofing system is torn off.
Step 5: Getting the Roof Surface Ready
After the decking has been cleared of debris and old nails, there are some additional steps involved in preparing the roof surface before new shingles are nailed down.
Drip Edge Installation
This is a piece of non-corrosive metal placed on the “edges” of the roof that prevents water from getting underneath and damaging the decking.
Starter Strip
Many contractors skip this vital step, but the starter strip is crucial because it adheres to the shingles on the edges of your roof and protects them from the elements. Without starter strip shingles, a gust of wind would have no trouble sneaking under the shingles on the edges of your roof and blowing them up, and perhaps even off, your roof.
Underlayment Installation
The roofing underlayment is a water-resistant or waterproof material placed between the wood decking and the roofing materials. It prevents the water from rain from seeping into the wood decking and subsequently causing damage to your interior.
After underlayment and drip edge are installed and all necessary parts are covered in roofing tar/cement, as required by Florida building codes, it will undergo a “dry-in” inspection from the county/city you reside in. Homeowners do not need to worry about inspections, that is Siesta Roofing's job!
Step 6: Installing the New Roofing Materials
At this stage, the new roofing materials are finally ready to be installed onto the roof surface. The time of installation varies based on the type of roofing materials being used. More expensive materials like tile and metal systems can take longer to install. Most roofing manufacturers require a minimum of 6 nails per shingle in Florida.
Ask a Siesta Roofing specialist to learn more about different roofing material manufacturers and their wind ratings/other classifications. Every county/city has its own requirements but may need an in-progress inspection before completion. This is another factor that can dictate how long the whole process may take.
Step 7: Cleanup and Final Inspection
Once the roofing materials have been installed, the crew will clean up any leftover debris from the installation process. A roof replacement is a messy and dirty process but have some faith in our team! At the end of the job we aim to leave a jobsite cleaner than before we came there! Your Siesta Roofing specialist will then perform a detailed and thorough final walk-through and inspection of the newly installed roof to make sure that no mistakes were made and there are no flaws in the roofing material. If something is found to be wrong, Siesta Roofing will replace/fix the issue free of charge. We stand behind a job well done and a customer's satisfaction!
This step of quality control is extremely important to us at Siesta Roofing! Our team will walk around your property with a magnet to collect any nails that might have been missed during clean-up or any other potentially left behind debris.
The roof will then undergo a final inspection from the city/county.
Once we are satisfied and the new roof meets both our standard of quality as well as the county/city, the job is considered to be complete and you can be secure in the knowledge that you have a roof that will provide all the protection for you and your home for many many years to come!
Siesta Roofing aims to provide the highest quality of work all while maintaining and providing the highest level of satisfaction possible to our customers! We will stay in great contact with you and answer any questions you may have during the process.
Choose Siesta Roofing and call us today for your free no-obligation roofing estimate!
(941) 275-2756
License CCC1333318