Anyone who owns a house knows that ensuring that everyone who lives in it should be safe and secure is a priority. You may not know this, for you to ensure safety and security, you have to start at the top: from your roof. Your roof is one of your house’s most essential parts. The roof can give you-the much-needed privacy, protection, shade, and refuge. Unfortunately, most of the time, you may neglect your roof making it prone to damage. You, however, should know that your old and may be damaged roof can bring you more harm. This is why you need to repair any damage and ensure to bring new life to your old roof. So, how?
- Familiarize yourself with the local building codes
There are building codes that control how you bring life to your old roof; it controls the number of layers of your shingles and what materials are acceptable. Familiarizing yourself will help give you the knowledge what are the dos and don’ts when working on your roof.
- Get the needed permits
Take time to check the agencies of your local government for the permits that you need when working on your roof. The licenses usually come from the Building Services Department. Make sure to bring these documents:
- Proof of ownership
- Permit application worksheet
- Construction and elevation drawings
- Statement of repair
- Pick the right shingles
There are a lot of shingles available in the market. However, there are varieties that are appropriate for your roof, location, and location, while there are varieties that are not.
- Calculate how much shingles you’d use
When you purchase new shingles to update your old roof, they’re usually sold in bundles, making it difficult for you to figure out how much you need. Remember that the surface area that shingles cover is measured by a 100 square feet.
- Measure the shingles length when they’re laid on your roof
There’s a small difference between the measurement of a shingle standing up and its size laid down. Measuring it laid down can help you figure out if you need to have partial pieces at your roof’s edges.
- Take the necessary precautions
You may need to use a roofing job to do your project on bringing life to your old safer. Using scaffolding and toe board can help you secure your working area. Taking precautions can help you protect yourself and everyone you.
- Have a container
When you are upgrading your roof, you’ll have a lot of stuff that you have to throw out. This is why you need to have a container where you can put every shingle, nail, or metal framings that you need to throw out. Make sure that it’s within your reach to make your clean up time more comfortable.
- Always start from the top
The first step when you officially start with your project is to remove the shingles. You can use a garden fork to remove them or a roofing shovel. Start from the top and then slowly work your way down. You should never worry that you may not be able to pry off some of the nails at first try. However, make sure that you’re wearing gloves, mask, goggles, and other personal protective equipment to keep you safe.
- Remember your metal flashings
The metal flashings are pieces that help transition from your roof to your non-roof parts. You can reuse them if they’re still in good shape, however, it’s advisable that you place new ones. Remove them by removing the nails and prying it up.
- Clean your roof
Make sure that your roof is well-taken care of. Take time to remove the stray nails, wipe dirty shingles, and hose down your gutters. Keeping it clean will help you ensure that it will last for a long time.
New Life!
The way your roof looks is as meaningful as it’s health. It may not be leaking or can efficiently protect you still, however, if it makes your home look like a drag, and you may need to bring new life to your old roof. If you need help, you can get in touch with us here at Roofing Companies St. Louis.
Author Bio: Matt Tennant Matt Tennant is a writer contributing pieces for John Beal Roofing. His passion for his craft allows him to be able to write unique and creative pieces for his readers. He strives to make sure his pieces are informative and entertaining, given his fascination with his topics. He likes to paint during his free time.
