A roof replacement looks chaotic from the driveway: a crew, a dumpster and material staged across the yard. But a professional job follows a specific sequence every time, and most standard homes are finished between sunrise and sunset so the house isn't left open overnight.
Before the crew arrives
Preparing usually takes less than an hour, and you can do it the evening before:
- Move cars out of the driveway and garage if the dumpster will block them
- Take down wall art and mirrors on walls that share the roofline (nailing causes vibration)
- Move patio furniture, grills and planters away from the house
- Plan a quiet spot for pets, because it gets loud
- Trim low branches near the roofline if you can
Tear-off
The old shingles, underlayment and flashing come off down to the deck, and the debris goes into the dumpster or trailer.
Decking inspection
With the deck exposed, it gets inspected. Soft spots, delaminated sheathing and loose decking are photographed. If anything needs replacing, you hear about it and the cost before we continue. This is the step most shortcuts skip.
Building the new roof
- Ice and water shield at every eave and valley
- Synthetic underlayment across the rest of the roof
- New drip edge and flashing at walls, chimneys and penetrations
- New pipe boots
- Shingles, fastened to the manufacturer's spec
- Ridge cap and ridge vent
Ventilation check and cleanup
Before we leave, we confirm the soffit intake and ridge exhaust are working, because blocked vents are a known cause of ice dams on new roofs. Then magnetic rollers sweep the lawn and driveway for nails, and you walk the finished roof with the same person who scoped it.
Do you need to be home?
No. Most homeowners aren't. We'll do the walkthrough whenever works for you.
Ready to get on the schedule? Request a free inspection or get an instant estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a roof replacement take?
Most standard residential roofs take one day. Very large or steep roofs, or decking that needs replacing, can add time. You'll know the plan before we start.
When is the best time of year to replace a roof?
May through October. June through August is the busiest stretch, and September is often the easiest month to get on the schedule.
Will there be nails in my yard?
The lawn and driveway get a magnetic sweep before we leave.
Written by Joey BrueOwner of Joey Roofing and Siding, the family roofing company in Chanhassen since 1983.