Introduction
Re-roofing can be one of the most expensive and laborious activities that homeowners ever undertake. Even for those who are experienced in other types of DIY work, roofing needs additional planning, considering both the mounting, safety, and effectiveness of the work, as well as the ongoing ability to maintain and fix this critical part of a structure. Furthermore, the thought of physical exertion and working on ladders many feet in the air, while attempting to handle heavy and often awkward materials, can deter many individuals. It is important to note that safety should always be the first consideration in deciding whether to take on such a project. If in the least bit unsure, the work should be undertaken professionally. With any project, it is essential to get the essentials right. Starting a project on the basis of the cheapest quote can lead to costly errors. As such, the preparation and materials form the focus of this guide. Using cheaper materials or, worse, attempting to substitute items not intended for this specific use or modus operandi, will lead to shortcuts, poor workmanship, and an end result that can cost more over time. With any of the following content, ensure statutory regulations and professional advice are sought. The advice given in this guide is intended to be a starting point for understanding key principles behind the groundwork for full re-roofing.
Purpose and Scope of the Guide
Roofing materials and systems are frequently developed to meet particular project needs. Appropriateness and adherence to relevant standards are based on critical application comparisons. A clearly written project requirement, either as a performance or prescriptive specifier, can do much to close the gap between materials availability and roofing needs. The purpose of this guide is to facilitate comparisons, pair special needs with roofing systems, and ensure that bidding contractors' materials are approved for full re-roofing, including existing cover. Understand that the need is great and the information is timely. This guide includes important supplementary material to help in evaluating the success of any project.
The scope of this guide is limited to applications of bituminous felt and membrane rolls used for full re-roofing, including existing cover. This guide does not address the conservation issues and does not cover specific troublesome applications such as concrete roof decks. Roof assemblies in new construction are also beyond the scope of this guide. However, when there are three or more roof components involved, the need for special expertise may warrant use of selection guidelines. Thus, discussions occasionally reach beyond the principal field of bituminous roof roll. When re-roofing in place, existing roof cover under the assemblies presented in this guide is limited to built-up bituminous systems, including underlying softboard and insulating materials.
Benefits of Full Re-Roofing with Felt Materials
The replacement of the roof covering is a process that is generally referred to as re-roofing. It is one of the most important building maintenance activities and involves a variety of methods, materials, and costs. One of the traditional and widespread ways of re-roofing is full recovering replacement, which usually involves three layers of felt for a standard pitched roof. In other words, there is no stripping of the existing roof coverings, and the new material is attached directly over the old one. The advantages of employing the full recovering method are reduced time, cost, and labor difficulties, and the detachment of covering material provides the opportunity to inspect and conduct work on the existing deck. This method is chosen because it is considered the most effective way to re-cover the roof and increases its thermal efficiency. The rapidly growing demand for energy efficiency and sustainable design, along with the legislative context, is currently one of the key drivers for re-roofing practice.
The replacement of the roof covering involves a significant energy and cost investment, but most importantly, full re-roofing with insulation materials provides the greatest improvement in energy performance with the least risk of moisture damage due to interstitial or surface condensation. As a result, the reforming of a roof covering should always be seen as an opportunity to improve and ensure good practice in the safe design and construction of rainwater drilling roofs. One of the key components of the rainwater drilling roof is the vapor permeable underlay. Ideally, it should be designed to provide the means of managing any moisture loss from the roof coverings, assisting the movement of any water that may penetrate from the external environment, and integrating moisture and air management with the rest of the building envelope. Underlay used for this new layer of the pitched construction system should be designed and fit for purpose and, at the same time, provide appropriate fire behavior in a variety of fire-exposed situations in line with current legislative requirements.
Understanding Roofing Materials
Let's take a look at roof covering materials from which you can choose. This is the first part in identifying what you are working on, what needs to be replaced, and what may need to be replaced. If you are drawing up contract documents, manufacturer data sheets are an excellent source of information and should be specified in your plans and/or specifications. Manufacturers can also assist in providing training and startup support when you first start using a new product.
There are a number of other roofing materials that you should be familiar with before moving on to what is generally underneath them. We will work with these materials categorically, one category per article. First, we have asphalt shingles.
1. Composition of Shingles: - Typically, asphalt shingles consist mainly of a plurality of granules applied to an asphalt tar substrate that is preferably waterproof and weather-resistant. In the case of a single-ply shingle, granules are applied to one side of the substrate. In the case of a tropical construction of water-repellent shingles, the granules are generally applied on both sides of the substrate. Commercial roofing contractors install shingles up to a tropical form of construction.
2. Additional Properties of Premium Shingles: - Laminated shingles are similar, and the extent to which each coheres states of multiple shingles, which is known as a thicker section, to simulate the way that water should run off the individual foam. Shingles may be laminated, which will show multiple iterations to achieve a symmetrical result. In either case, this is typically accomplished by adding additional adhesive at the shingle tips or by bonding the shingle to a layer of resistant adhesive. No extra expense has been identified here to be aware of this structure.
Types of Roofing Materials
In terms of surface material, roofing shingles can be made of asphalt, slate, wood, metal, or resin. Meanwhile, the reinforced layer of the shingle is usually asphalt. It not only completes the structure but also provides additional specifications that are essential for effective roof functionality in different weather conditions. Roofing installation is extremely important, as it ultimately determines the roof's longevity. Today, the basis for shingles is a glass-fiber mat used in combination with a polymer-modified bituminous binder, which significantly increases the life of the material and offers a wide range of variations in color, shape, and size. Today, the roofing industry offers many different shapes for shingles - rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, and others. They can be produced by several companies. As manufacturers are forced to compete, the quality of their products is constantly being improved. Although different manufacturers may produce similar-looking products, differences in substrate and shingle top coating or texture can make small variations significant. However, there has apparently been no change in the actual bitumen dispersal properties as part of the quality control system for asphalt shingle manufacturers of the common glass-mat thermally sealed variety to ensure adherence to specification requirements. This is what the bitumen sealing machine for laying shingles before or after removing the protection of the left adhesive tape can do.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Felt Materials
Felt materials have many advantages and are widely used in roofing. First and foremost, they are user-friendly and quick to install. You may leave the flat roof with temporary felt for months without worrying about water ingress. The felt is inexpensive. It is commonly used for both residential and commercial roofing. Felt offers great protection for the newly installed roof against the rain and helps buy some time before the installation of the shingles or other roofing materials. Even if water percolation does occur, the felt will mitigate at least some of the interior damage. Despite the many advantages, there are disadvantages to the felt material. First, felt is made from asphalt or tar paper, which can produce unpleasant odors and fumes. The adhesive is often a problem since it wears off and releases dust. The dust getting into the air conditioning system and circulating inside the building can be a real nuisance when it happens. Finally, the felt quality can significantly vary, and you will have to pay great attention to the specifications of the felt used for re-roofing.
Assessment and Planning
Once you have decided that your roofing system is in need of replacement, it may make you feel like you should just get it done as soon as you can. However, this is a decision that is made infrequently, and therefore you would be well advised to take your time. There are many things that you should be looking at and many decisions that need to be made. You should allow adequate time for your needs assessment activities and the application of the necessary planning process. Your approach to the whole situation will be much better structured. We have already stated that deciding what to replace your existing covering material with is one of the first activities that you should undertake. This is important because the covering material that you decide to use will help you to organize the rest of your planning steps very well. It is possible that until now, no one has ever given any thought to the existing covering material on your building. Some of us seem to take roofs for granted just as long as they do their job. That is because they usually do. If they fail to do their job, we then become very much aware of them. Any material that is put in place over the decking of your roof is referred to as a covering material, or perhaps more simply, just "roofing".
Roof Inspection
After you conduct the inspection and before you engage your customer in any kind of dialogue, make sure you have identified all the key areas and have all the necessary information on the roof and your customer’s needs. Be sure to evaluate properly the attic and ventilation requirements. The customer must understand them, and you can make recommendations about changes or improvements that are necessary for the re-roofing job you have proposed. In addition to your inspection process, taking time to evaluate the long-term needs of the customer will help you maximize the total sale; the components such as the attic, eaves, insulation, and ventilation hold parts of the property as well as improving your overall performance as a professional contractor. Schedules and appointments should be made to accommodate the homeowner’s input for this part of the process.
Do not attempt to conduct negotiations or attempt to get any contract signed or even discuss the cost of the re-roofing until you are completely ready to go. If you pass this critical initial part of the process and identify both the homeowner’s short-term and longer-term needs relating to the re-roofing, you are a long way to getting a contract. Make sure to take good notes, take photographs of anything and everything that may become important; get as much information from the homeowner and transfer all internal information before leaving the property. There is nothing more helpful than having good detailed notes and photographs back in the office when you sit down to price and schedule the work.
Always take a serious approach to the site. With people, it is good to be low-key instead of looking around and taking note of items without giving homeowners a quiz or the impression that things are not good. Save any comments about possible liabilities such as having a large tree over a house, or about visible problems like decayed wood or animal infestation for a time when your mortgage company requests more information; the mortgage company is the one who is interested in these types of issues. Do not, however, cause expectant property owners to believe that there are no possible problems with their property; it just is not true! Always use tact and restraint with homeowners, but do not give them any false sense of security. Always be prepared to show them the information. You have to serve as a roofing consultant to the customer, informing them of your findings whether good, bad, or indifferent.
Calculating Material Quantities
When it comes to an accurate felt calculation for the roof, be generous on the overage calculation; felt is inexpensive, and the waste and increase required to work out and nail it securely is a minimal price to pay. You can always return unused felt to the supplier. In general, roof felt is 3 feet wide. Roofing underlayment comes in three different grades: 15 lb, 30 lb, and rubberized.
Roof underlayment is installed over roof sheathing to protect against rain before completing the installation of the final roof covering. Covering a new roof before installing the roof materials can provide a short-term work saving, both for the roofer and homeowner. This way, the house stays dry temporarily, and roof installation can prevail under rainy weather conditions, preventing costly damage. Material selection must also focus on flame resistance. Underlayment can be of either an organic or fiberglass medium and can contain modified asphalt to achieve greater pliability, conformability, and affixment to the substrate and roof materials.
Roofing membrane functions as a water underlayment barrier to prevent leakage leading to roof deck rot and, ultimately, to a house design (beware of one-side waterproofing, which can create tremendous rotting problems – good roofing felts have waterproofing on both sides). It protects the structure and interior spaces from absorbed water. Its fins, which are saw-tooth edges that lap, affix to the roof. Ridges, laps, and terminations on a roof must enable water to flow away from the surfaces while remaining tight to the sheath or substrate. With a firm design, combined with joint flashing and transverse strip flashings, selective roofing materials protect a roof from exterior water entry while providing water vapor transfer due to exceptional breathability. That’s why they are suitable for unvented construction, which provides not only a more energy-efficient roof structure but also gives the owner more design alternatives.
Preparing for Re-Roofing
In full re-roofing, you have a perfect opportunity to plan and install a better performance envelope. Typically, you will remove all attachment points and flashings, discard old waterproofing, and start anew. The following tasks are often performed before the new roofing or cladding envelope is installed: 1. Roof drainage considerations encased in overflow perimeters, scuppers, and internal drains. 2. External wall protection, air, and moisture barriers. 3. Selecting and laying out system attachment brackets. In most areas, the plywood or waferboard substrate is attached to the trusses using nails or screws. Remember to design your layout to allow for concavity revealed between horizontal and vertical levels. Secure brackets to the roof, if necessary, and test water barriers for leaks. Make it nearly impossible for a long bracket to slide laterally along the roofing. Brackets are attached to the temporary structure with stoppers and nails.
For a flat roof, you might have a short-lived opportunity to add more insulation above the structural deck until items are created to complete the topping. This is especially true when a new structural deck needs to be installed. All skylights, penetrations, and stacks are located, and the number is precisely dimensioned for the perimeter and penetration elevations. The weather forecast isn’t predicting storms in the next several days. Working to erase someone else’s personalization under a timed task is no fun. To properly power the various equipment, take temporary power into account. At the top, coordinate the protection cleared subsection perimeter requirements. Protect the front and rear curbstone by wrapping them in plastic. In general, wind strips are empirical except in areas of high wind loads, when you need to follow an engineering note. If your structure is sloped, you can always design the weather layer elements first, and discipline will dictate that some roof areas will be sheathed before the design of the weather layer is complete.
Safety Precautions and Equipment
Re-roofing generally takes place high above ground level; hence, certain safety measures are to be taken to prevent employees from falling. These measures include the provision of proper safety equipment and discipline. Slips, trips, or falls pose potential safety risks to production workers, making these hazards an essential focus in mitigating production disruptions and ensuring worker safety. These safety risks can be mitigated through the use of appropriate safety equipment and proper housekeeping. Well-thought-out safety programs, work environment modifications, and work behavior interventions remain crucial in addressing these hazards. Common safety equipment includes guardrails or other coverings at open and perimeter edges; toe boards at the edges of platforms; and the provision and use of control zones.
A full body harness used in re-roofing should meet the specific standard and be capable of supporting 5,000 lbs. The harness should include proper shock absorption capability and maximum arrest force rating for a worker’s weight. Additional equipment includes yoyo, retractable lifelines, and rope positioning devices at work areas where a six-foot fall is possible. Employees should be protected by guardrails or a safety net system. However, when these systems are unable to provide full protection, fall restraints are installed so workers are unable to reach the edge. When maintaining or repairing a steep pitched roof with a 4/12 pitch or greater, fall protections such as a properly installed guardrail, safety net, or fall arrest system such as a personal fall arrest system are required. In some instances, safety railings are properly installed to guard against walk-off door, window, or skylight openings. The latter situation is usually provided with a temporary deck surface. Finally, employees should be trained in equipment lockdowns.
Removing Existing Roofing Materials
The first work to be completed in any reroofing contract is the stripping and disposal of the existing materials. Any survey of the existing substrate should be sufficient in terms of adequacy and performance and must be completed with a view to identifying any weaknesses or shortcomings in the existing system to ensure that these are systematically and competently addressed in the specification of the new covering. The removal of any existing system may be necessary for the following reasons: Achieving full and proper access to the substrate repairs. If no survey has been completed in advance, there may be more extensive damage that has been previously indicated and which requires the expertise of the roofing specialist to rectify. Identifying underlying damage that may already exist before any new system is installed, which, if overlooked, may lead to damage to the new materials and system from rot. Where insulation has high moisture or water content which may be causing excessive loading as well as potential rot or corrosion, it is important that this is removed before replacement with a new system. The load of the existing system may be adversely affecting the structure, particularly in the case of a heavy mastic bitumen or other high-density material such as an aggregate screed or thick felt system. The general look and aesthetic appearance of the system has become a serious concern to the owner or tenants. In order to reduce excessive environmental loads, for example, in the case of lightweight concretes and masonry systems used on the parapet or plant areas, where overloading is an issue. In order to improve the U-values of the roof. It is also occasionally necessary to remove the existing substrate and replace it with new insulation and/or substrate board, provided it can be demonstrated that they are unsuitable as part of an insulated warm or green roof. In order to facilitate the removal of the existing materials, it is essential that adequate access is made available to the contractor before any works commence. This 'soft' strip must be completed well in advance of the reroofing works and will usually include the temporary removal of roofing surround arrangements as well as any proprietary guardrail or restraint systems.
Installation of Felt Materials
Felt materials are essential on some types of roofs. For example, covering metal roof dry-in installations is essential during the rainy season. There are also instances due to construction delays where felt is the only water protection and is relied upon for many years. Choosing the felt quality, its weight, and thickness is a significant factor in the durability of a roof. With the evolution of roofing over the last ten to fifteen years, modern underlayments have many qualities of fiberglass-based or blended products. In good, better, best planning, felt is the good, and these new products are considered better and best.
There are basically three kinds of felt: organic material felt, inorganic material felt, and reinforced felt. There are also different grades in each kind of felt, and this is broken down by weight. Indeed, some product manufacturers offer a choice of thickness, but generally, they are available in a particular product. Felt products are generally delivered with the wrapper on them, so the installer cannot see the roll. They are purchased by the weather grade: weather guard 30, 15, or 10, 30 being the better grade and 10 being the most acceptable. All felt is typically fifteen to forty pounds, 30 being the better grade. After adding tar or asphalt, this usually adds ten pounds per square, and it will not roll out sideways or up and not roll like a dog track. If you have not paid attention to the felt roll, you could have a mess to clean up.
Underlayment Installation
One of the most common jobs that you will need to do when replacing a roof covering is to replace the underlayment. The level of necessary asphalt felt replacement will depend on several factors: the current health of the material, the local weather conditions, and the intended longevity of the roofing system. Here are your options for what to do after removing whatever type of underlayment you currently have. If the felt has become fuzzy and lost its ability to flex, change it out. Period. Make certain that the roof deck is dry before covering it with an additional underlayment. If the old deck got soaked, allow it to dry for a day before covering it with a new felt sheet. If the felt was getting old, wait until the morning dew dries off before continuing. Hold off on covering up water-soaked deck boards until they are dry; otherwise, sealing liquids may promote fungus growth. If the deck boards have begun to swell, pull them out and come back with another board.
When you are ready to replace the old underlayment with a new one, the following is the best option you can consider when evaluating the options that are now on the marketplace. Many homeowners prefer organic felts. This felt comes in two basic forms: fifteen-pound and thirty-pound felt. The strength of this felt regarding weight comes from the amount of tar paper bitumen that is embedded in the felt during manufacture. As the proportion of asphalt in the material increases, so does the weight of the material. In the United States, both the 15# and 30# Traditional Asphalt Felt have been basic, standby products for generations of roofers. There are a few good reasons for this phenomenon. These paper rolls can be purchased at many local hardware shops. The typical cost per roll is in the area of 13 to 28 dollars. These traditional papers cost only between forty cents to one dollar per square foot. The only other building material that is this cheap is the siding materials used in the exteriors of homes. While I was a home improvement contractor, we used to buy a specific kind of non-absorbing paper. It was the firm that made me think of this paper. Unfortunately, this paper is no longer available new. This will provide some of the longest waterproofness and longevity for your roof stock, although high-end roofing suppliers provide similar suitable materials. It is often possible for regular hardware shops to stock cheaper quality versions. Make sure that everything is in order before you make your purchase.
Felt Roll Application Techniques
Start the first roll 37 inches above the eaves. Nail the leading edge of the felt in several places to avoid distortion while the roll is unrolled and placed horizontally on the deck. Roll up an additional number of feet of felt, then grab the center core of the roll and hold it in place with your foot while unrolling the felt off the core. A few people watching your demonstration or instruction will achieve better and more adequate results than if you work alone. The overhanging fascia exiting the edge of the roof is typically 1-2 inches. This remaining lap is to create a bleed edge since the area that was originally nailed will not receive any tar lap. If a pry bar is used for assistance, be cautious with wood and not pull batts off of the gable ends. The drip edge was bent up as you were rolling felt in place. Felt twisted two or three inches with a smooth ripper prior to installing a second path will prevent extra unused waste shingles. A closer view will show you the angle;
Starting felt at the rake over the drip edge typically leaves a lip of exposed felt. If you are not experienced with this application, each piece of felt will need to be re-evaluated in order to establish the appropriate personal application technique. Cut a short piece of felt strip and apply it as needed by lightly pushing it over the top of the starter row with your foot. Snap or sew a chalk line along the top. Fasten when you snap a line and it will be faster than snapping a line on every square. Since the woman was on the deck, and the man was on the roof, the man had to hand the roll to the woman, who was on the roof. Cut the bottom edge in a straight line with a roofer's spade or knife and remove the excess. Ensuring a 12-inch width roll of felt is installed next to the underside of the drip edge allows for the subsequent two rows of 36 inches to overlap the initial 12 inches of felt.
Flashing and Ventilation
Some general advice on the practicality and performance of bituminous felt materials and their fixings. A guide for housing and property managers, planners, architects, designers, and roofing contractors. Even though bituminous felt is ideally used for large areas, there still exists the necessity of providing roof penetrations and ridges with secure, watertight flashings to ensure that details are not overlooked during the application. This section looks at various flashing details such as abutments, flue pipes, box gutters, and under-slates, and the construction of vents at eaves and ridges, as well as the need for free air circulation under insulation boards.
Weep tiles, special eaves and ridge tile, standard eaves and ridge tile, formed specialist eaves and ridge tiles designed for use with interlocking concrete roof tiles for low-level ventilation of solid or mixed pitch roofs. Eaves vent, continuous bleed ventilator strip, standard eaves vent designed for continuous ventilation of solid pitched roofs at or near the eaves level. We can incorporate the following factory fabricated architectural components: bonding gutters, expansion joints, fascias, rainwater outlets and mitres, fascia supports, insulated benching, soakers, weatherings, aprons, arched soffits, window aprons, bespoke flashings, dormer gutters.
Importance of Flashing and Ventilation Systems
A brand new layer of shingles doesn’t address any problems with the roof deck or flashing. If the roof deck or flashing is in need of replacement, that work can be done separately. If you are trying to maintain the overall look of your house, you may feel that you want to put in the extra effort and have flashing go with the color of the roof. If you plan on staying with some style for a period of 15 years or more, why not plan to have flashing be custom with the roof? You could enjoy the look that much more.
Water is the biggest source of damage to a structure. It is a fact that flashing is what keeps the water from getting into the structure at key areas such as rot-vulnerable eaves, hips, and ridges. It is a fact that adequate ventilation promotes a long life. For a structure to be sound, it should be built as if it were uninhabited, but of course, without making the structure fall as though it were really uninhabited. Flashing is responsible for closing the gaps and providing ventilation to prevent heat from warping the structure. Would you rather have too much heat pumping into the structure, or would you rather have it air-sealed too much?
Finishing Touches
7.1 Soaker Flashings and Older Properties Slide in the front soaker flashing from the top, nail it to the side of the batten if there is enough room. Traditional slate hook form soakers are available in code 4, code 5, or lead alternative. Cut them to around 12 mm landing on the gutter at the bottom. Form the rebate of the soaker over the tile and head nail fix into the batten. Start to fix tiles above the flashing in your usual sequence. Form soakers with aluminum trays and upstands to the exact width of the tiles. Secure the aluminum soakers to the wall with galvanized nails or screws. 7.2 Universal Soaker Trays and Discreet Apron Flashing Ideally, an absorbent felt should be used in this area to wick water back on the correct side of the soaker by forming a secret gutter. Nail these soakers to the wall with clout nails or spiral fix concrete screws. We recommend the use of patination oil applied before starting the roof. Flashings are an essential part of any roof refurbishment to prevent the ingress of water into a building. Wherever roof pitches change into abutments, parapets, or chimneys, they are called abutment flashings.
Trim and Edge Detailing
Trim work is always going to be, to some extent, unique for each roofing installation; after all, each roof has its unique lines and issues, and no two rooflines are going to be exactly the same. A few details, however, can help make finished re-roofing projects look most professional. First, make sure that all old vertical or gable trims are in good enough shape to keep the new K-style edgings used on the perimeter of the new roof covering neatly aligned. This makes the roofing project look professionally done. If there are only a few pieces of the old trim that need to be replaced to make the new roofing look better, it is generally more cost-efficient than replacing all of the edging at the same time, which would be an exception to the general rule about installing new trim to keep repair projects looking high quality. Often, it is not necessary to wrap the new felt with edging, to re-nail all the felt, or to do anything else. If looking down the gable edge of the roof, it looks like a 3D checkerboard, with all the new shingles lining up neatly, only 3 feet inside and sagging or otherwise not meeting the old trim, it gives the appearance that it is there the roofers stopped and they did not bother to cut off the old felt edges to align with the existing vertical trim. Simply cut the felt off so that it lines up with the vertical trim, then tuck an 8" square of felt into the gap opened up between the 2 layers of felt where the two layers meet.
Maintenance and Longevity
Cleanliness of the roof, gutters, and downspouts is essential for the prevention of premature aging of the roofing materials. Minimizing the growth of moss and minimizing the number of times the moss is removed is an essential step for increasing the longevity of the felt roof covering. Trimming overhanging tree limbs will increase the life of any roofing material. Increasing the venting in the roof structure will also promote longevity. Compressing the felt with foot traffic should be kept to a minimum. General care and conscientious steps will lengthen the time the new roof materials look good and stay solid before replacement is necessary.
Pretty new high-quality roofing materials are unsightly when covered with bird droppings. To prevent more frequent scheduled cleaning, an adhesive application twice a year can effectively reduce the droppings of the birds. Most manufacturers recommend gutter cleaning twice a year as a preventive maintenance measure to promote longevity and prevent water damage. Make sure all drip edge metal is in place and secured at the eaves and rakes. If missing, install new drip edge metal. Trim all trees back to promote direct sunlight to the roof and eliminate the overhangs that encourage squirrels to attack the roofing overhangs.
Regular Maintenance Practices
When it comes to maintaining the roof, an equal level of care should be given to selecting the roof. Just like a vehicle needs regular tuning for smooth operation, regular maintenance can increase the life of a roof. Such maintenance can be performed each year in spring and also in fall; all the dead leaves and tree debris should be removed to prevent clogging of the rain gutters and downspouts. Roof debris like clusters of moss and lichens must be removed to prevent degradation of the roof surface. Since some roofing materials are cement or concrete-based, it is recommended to inspect the roof every six months and re-mortar it if necessary, keeping the necessary amount of adhesive cement. The need for maintenance can vary and should be done at regular intervals based on the type of roofing material chosen and the climate. To achieve a considerable lifespan, there are certain measures that need to be taken by the homeowner. To extend the life of the flat-roofed residential house, it is recommended that it be inspected every year, just before or after winter. It can be very useful to have a maintenance contract with an experienced worker from the company that installed the system. Checking from the outside may lead to visual inspections that are late and sometimes not comprehensive. Users are also advised to provide assurances relating to such procedures when providing a warranty.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
We always want to plan all jobs accurately and efficiently. Unfortunately, that isn’t always possible. Sometimes, things go wrong and we are required to troubleshoot the issues. What follows are common problems and solutions. However, none of these solutions are set in stone. Site-specific needs and solutions need to be addressed.
Poor adhesion or bridging over irregular substrates Improper application of interply adhesion can occur for a variety of reasons. Fiberglass felts are more inclined to bridge over irregular substrates than are organic felts. Bridging is also prevalent with the use of either mechanically attached or self-adhered base membranes. Cure requires multiple cuts, resulting in time delay, labor expense, and material loss. Another recommendation is to lift the edge of the field and base sheets every 10 feet to 15 feet or so throughout the project. Deficiencies in interply adhesion would become apparent if the membrane were to release during lift testing.
Wrinkling of base membranes The wrinkling or buckling of base membranes may be caused by improper use of fastening devices or improper handling of convoluted, self-adhering base sheets. Pneumatics should be used to fasten the base sheet at a maximum of 12-inch intervals. Restrict positions of the nailing pattern so that the overlapping base sheet is fastened beneath the side and not the center. If proper nailing patterns are followed and a wrinkling problem still exists, using a thicker base sheet may be the best approach.
Identifying and Fixing Leaks
Leaks are one of the most common and distressing issues for any homeowner. One of their best attributes is that you'll know you've got one whenever it rains. Leaky roofs are typically easy to fix once you find the hole. In the absence of attic flooring, which is where many leaks will first become noticeable, you can locate leaks by going into the attic during the day and looking for light spots, or, when it's not raining, use a pump or hose on the roof and have another person stand in the attic with a flashlight so they can point out the entry point when the water starts coming in. You can also check upper floors for water stains, peeling paint, and swollen drywall in similar locations to those you may have spotted from the attic by following the water's course. Small leaks can also be spotted in the attic just by looking for signs of water accumulation or by feeling along the underside of the roof decking for dampness. It may also help when dealing with inside-only water stains from a leaking chimney or flashing, which can't be easily spotted and corrected using the methods described.
Another method for finding water entry points is partially dismantling areas with suspect damage, like peeling paint or blistering patches on a low-slope roof. After removing and sealing the perimeters of the areas, reapply them to help ensure that any water is being shed by the mat, then wait for the next rainstorm to arrive. Only apply one small area per rain, and don't try this if evergreen trees or a roof-dump cooler are nearby, since these can keep it from getting wet or airborne. Suppressing the water can allow moisture to escape without a trace. You may also want to consult a professional roofer or consultant to find an unidentifiable leak that may not be visible or accessible to you from inside. Before removing the shingles, a thin hole with a long fastener can generally enable you to insert water into the roof.
Environmental Considerations
What considerations do you need to take into account in laying your felt material? Council regulations have played a great part in determining the ideal materials and prescribing how they should be placed. Choosing the environmentally friendly felt material is very important. Most old materials are still available, and it’s up to the owner to select the felt for the roof. Felt is also used in alternative types of energy through biofuel production for electricity. In order to preclude biological growth and material degradation of the felt, the under days of the material should have adequate circulation. It’s also worth noting that with good installation and sufficient ventilation, felt can last in good condition for decades.
Synthetic materials must meet roof-water requirements to prevent contaminating groundwater with chemicals that were never meant to end up in water. You should also consider if it’s possible to de-install and recycle when the materials reach their useful life. When selecting felt material, look at what you are getting: longer warranties and high-quality materials for improved flexibility, a non-abrasive benefit on the roof fabric, superior oil adsorption, and a slip-resistant walking surface. Replacing a roof system will be costly if comprehensive measures are not taken into account to boost the life of the underlayment.
10.1. Sustainability of Felt Materials
This chapter provides a comprehensive guide on re-roofing with a focus on felt materials. The scope includes felt types, characteristics, component assembly, removal, and follow-up roof-covering systems. Sustainable felt materials with compatible sustainability performance are emphasized to enhance the sustainability benefits of building re-roofing. Issues related to re-roofing with unsustainable materials and roof demolition without resource reuse and recycling are recognized, with recommendations to minimize potential harm. The application of best practices and up-to-date technology is recommended to produce the best results possible. Proper information on many issues addressed in the guide can be gathered via other resources. Consumer inquiries about such resources for better understanding and purchase decisions regarding re-roofing work by professionals are encouraged to improve consumer protection and public awareness of this endeavor.
Regulations and Compliance
Building work, including the installation of cold flat roofs, is generally exempt from the need for Building Regulation approval when performed by an installer "competent to do the work." It states that "above or adjacent to standard insulation, this means that a heat-loss calculation must take into account resistance, thermal bridging, ventilation, and installation quality, a person using appropriate knowledge and filling materials to minimize heat loss." Installation quality involves the ability to install a cold flat roof so that it is properly ventilated and back-vented. Felt roofing materials themselves are unlikely to make any difference to this process. The presence of material quality standards does not necessarily guarantee compliance with industry standards. Warm flat roofs, inverted roofs, and green roofs might require Building Regulation approval. Renovation work could be subject to regulations when elements are modified in these roof systems. Compliance surveys for insurance purposes generally do not cover deeper issues such as detailed energy considerations. Usually, as part of a flat-roof warranty often guaranteed by companies backed by regulated building institutions, flat roofs are inspected before being covered with a warranty, ensuring that they are installed in a manner compliant with the standards of the systems. A felt roof will not usually determine whether roof build-ups that may require inspection are included. There is no need to consult the Building Regulations' independent expert to obtain further approval.
Building Codes and Permits
In almost all areas, some form of permitting is required for the removal and replacement of a house's entire roof. Even if your locality does not require permits, most regions have regulations that cover the specifics of roof installation. Typically, these regulations are concerned with such things as the removal and replacement of felt, the number and size of the vents, and how much material can be put on an area. The building code requirements cover such things as the spanning capability of the new roof deck material, correct methods used in attaching the materials, as well as the ability of the felt to repel water. The uplift capability of shingles and the fire ratings of some roof systems may also be considered during the inspection process. Your roofer typically has knowledge concerning the processes for obtaining necessary permits for a given project. As most building inspections occur randomly, an inspection may or may not take place. This is not a consideration in the application of the permit process unless those doing the actual work require the inspection for validation.
Cost Considerations
Replacing the roof felt can be a large initial financial burden. It's necessary to add this expense to those of any other remodeling, new construction, or repair work being done. Although this type of cost derives no increased safety or convenience, remember that the felt and roof are critical to the building, and without a watertight roof, the building's interior cannot remain dry. Dependence of installed cost on log span of felt and roof slope. Regardless of the type of shingle used, the installed cost of a felt-covered roof increases progressively with the square of the roof shingle log span. An arithmetically designed roof that accommodates a shorter shingle will result in a decrease in installed cost. On the other hand, a steeper roof slope results in reduced area and, in general, lower installed cost. If a longer-lasting felt were required, those materials or grades could be specified, subject to additional cost. By doing this, the owner would pay the additional cost once while still receiving the further advantage of a much lower installation cost. Any competition between a longer-life felt versus spending more on engineering should be avoided – the owner should receive the benefits from one without its disadvantages.
Budgeting for a Re-Roofing Project
Budgeting the re-roofing project is one of the most vital and important first steps. The project budget will greatly assist in the loan application process should one be necessary. Felt, shingle or tile, and flashing installation rates will vary depending on the market. A small change in part of the country may have little effect elsewhere. It is important to keep in mind that a very low rate of payment to a contractor cannot be solely justified by labor, materials, and market conditions. Contractors have overhead and profit margins that can range from 25% to 50%. And remember, the local building inspector is the homeowner's best friend, keeping the roofer in line with the common practices. A homeowner can get a good idea of labor and materials costs from their lumberyard supplier; they are an excellent source of information since they supply the contractor. In addition to experienced laborers in the family, future savings may be notable. The best idea is to visit with a contractor or two and get some free estimates before starting the loan process. Both the shared experience and mutual respect will alleviate the "number one roofer" at contract time. Remember, roofers are your decision; the roofing is their craftsmanship, and the consideration of warranty and follow-up is their choice. Unless a standard expected by the building inspector of the homeowner has been agreed upon. This next section will further elaborate on the budgeting of felt, shingle, or tile expenses of the re-roofing process.
Real-Life Re-Roofing Projects
In this section, we would like to provide a step-by-step guide on full re-roofing. This guide should be looked at together with Chapter 11. Here, in Chapter 13, we especially would like to provide some details of re-roofing with felt materials. A detailed list of products and job descriptions carried out is presented below after the explanation of what is required to fully replace a tiled roof. The project has been presented at different stages but has not taken as many pictures of initial jobs as the work is not as complex and requires mainly brute force.
Before you start to cover the roof, ensure you have your felt material, pallets, coverings, battens, fascias, gable trim, and any special waterproofing products. Rectangular-edge coping, which forms a sloping part of the roof, should be used. A 55 mm expansion foam is to be used in the gutter, the expansion foam in the roof perimeters, and a 5 mm step edge in all areas of the roof, once ready. Primer and products for gable overhang protection, sealing gable, and other necessary materials should be prepared. Take into account that the roof tiles, usually wet and dangerous, are to be replaced; have a temporary tarpaulin for extra protection if necessary.
Future Trends in Roofing
The future trends in roofing lie mainly with the materials used, reflecting the need for properties such as strength, lightweight, adhesion, speed of application, and antifungal and heat-resistant properties. In addition, the use of biodegradable materials has increased in recent years; these are less harmful to the environment and, above all, are recyclable. Polymer-modified bitumen membranes with biodegradable or sustainable criteria, vegetated coverings, cool roofs, and the use of breathable insulators are examples of regulations that lead to ecological constructive solutions.
Polymer materials have given rise to "new" industrially manufactured bituminous membranes with different matrices. When used for waterproofing, the predominant physicochemical processes are those that occur at the interface between the bituminous matrix and the reinforcement, insofar as the bituminous mass is mainly paraffinic in character. However, even in extruded bituminous materials with easy flow, in some stages of their life, the rheological properties are required to be high. In SBS and APP materials, the matrix is recycled after the end of the lifetime of the waterproofing layer, and there is resistance to high temperatures that encourage combustion without giving off toxic gases.
Innovations in Felt Roofing Materials
In recent years, we have seen the introduction of glass/polyester-fibrillated cap layers on traditional 1F felt membrane manufacture. The term '1F' signifies a core layer with a fiber-fill finish, predominantly in traditional roofing colors. The traditional 1F felt remains the highest volume seller in structural waterproofing and is classified as '5Kg' or '10Kg' felt based on weight per m². Costs per roll of these traditionally finished products are generally similar, although new modified products do demand premiums. Optimized finishes are created to provide longer-term performance, increased flexibility, reduced wrinkling, reduced risk of fire damage, and to provide surfaces that add value to subsequent trades. The finishes can include granule, aluminum, and patented finishes, plus finer fractions of stone/chalk and mica.
The metal line felt – looking silver in color and with a wintry texture – has proved popular and long-lasting. Marketing initiatives from other producers have had limited success, but at this time, new finishes have been launched to the industry that did not exist 5 years ago. Products that offer additional insulation and vapor control on top of the falls have increased production costs for the manufacturers, while ply-to-falls breather membranes offer savings for the roofing contractor. Changes in the standard of felt finishes are the net result. The process is expected to continue over the next few years. On the diverse topic of 'additional materials and insulation,' some innovative products have increased the thermal output of insulation while being sufficiently robust to accept hot air welding. Such additional elements are often considered the province of built-up felt roofing, typically zinc, aluminum, or stainless steel, but we include a brief review of products that add capability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a re-roofing project represents a significant investment to upgrade the existing or to give a new life to an old roof. The performance of the new roof depends on many factors such as choice of underlayment, roofing materials, installation techniques, and quality. The main purpose of full re-roofing is not only to provide a new asphalt shingle, tile, or metal roof but also to enhance the overall performance and the long-term durability of the roof for the building. The primary design consideration for full re-roofing is the selection of the right base sheet and underlayment accomplished by a trade off between cost and benefits. It is recommended to obtain samples for waterproofing and handling performance evaluation before making a purchase.
The correct Base Sheet option for every roof project depends upon a number of design criteria, including the roof system characteristics, deck type, project schedule, and the impact of Regional climate conditions. Asphalt is the waterproofing material with the most significant production and lifetime experience on the market, particularly in reroofing applications. Modified bitumen sheet membranes can be installed shingle style and may be installed over a variety of substrates, including nailable decks such as plywood. The correct overlay option for such low resistance performance parameters is the addition of an intermediate base sheet of asphalt size suitable for stabilizing the exposed fiberglass mat felt or polyester mat membrane used at the underlayment layer.
Key Takeaways and Recommendations
Make sure that you install the proper drip edge before placing felt materials. Properly secure the second row of drip edge so that you can overlap the joint between the two layers of felt. Start by nailing the lower half of the felt in place ensuring that the top of the felt butts the chalkline it was snapped to. Once this is complete, you can then fold the felt down, properly smooth it out, tack it in place, and fold it back up on itself. Make sure that the entire felt hangs over the eaves. Now nail the upper half with 90#. This will give you complete coverage of the sheathing, including the first row of drip-edge. Make sure to lay FAST-In around penetrations such as air vents, soil pipes, etc. The final step usually involves laying a top layer of felt over the lower layer. Be sure to use a 90# on the final layer. Cut the felt around a roof top plumbing stack leaving about oversize on roofs and over on steeper roofs. Then you may install your flashing. Make the final cuts to ensure that the hole is about larger in radius than the pipe itself so that you can wrap the felt around the vent and then overlap the joint to form a watertight seal.