11 Expert Tips for Asphalt Roofing Shingles Installation

Asphalt shingles are one of the most popular roofing materials. When you are going to change the asphalt roofing shingles, you should always connect with roofing contractors. But if any of the homeowners are having good skills, then you should work safely above the ground to handle the job. Furthermore, to learn basic roofing skills, you need to follow the below tips by following the manufacturers and industry experts.

1-360 Working Action

If you look at the work of professionals, you will notice that a certain pattern is used. They start the work at the bottom left corner of a roof surface and work towards the right and upward from eave line to the peak. When several workers are installing the shingles. You should usually begin by installing shingles along eave overhang, while others start filling in the field working from bottom to top.

If you are planning to repair your roof, then you need to get in touch with roofing contractors Cape Cod to make your roof durable. The experts will be using the right techniques and tools for the work.

2-Properly Flash the Valleys and Seams

75% of the roof leaks occur in valleys where two roof panels intersect or at chimneys or other roof penetrations. You need to ensure that roof flashing in the area before you start the installation. It is important to note that flashed open valley might be durable and water-resistant as compared to blind valleys. In this, the shingles overlap from one plane to another and cover the valley. Furthermore, for asphalt shingles, aluminum flashings are better and metal should at least 0.019 inches thick.

If you are working on a roof where flashings are already installed, then you need to ensure that it is in good condition and not leaking. According to Vertec Roofing Sydney, it’s important that flashings are replaced – not simply repaired or adjusted as a way of cutting costs. Replacing flashings with new ones may cost more as an initial outlay, but it is a sure-fire way to ensure you’re not doing the same repair job again six months later.

3-Finish One Shingle Bundle Before Moving to Next

Use all shingles from the same bundle before you are going to use the next bundle during asphalt shingles roofing installation. It is important to note that color may vary between the bundles. You should use the one bundle at a time because this will help to avoid different colors on the roof within the same area. Moreover, if possible, then you need to ensure that all your bundles are from one manufacturing lot and this will reduce the color variation.

4-Inspect the Deck

A good roofing installation depends on a solid and firm deck of plywood sheathing or Oriented Strand Board. You need to ensure that sheathing is in good shape and if you are installing a new sheet material, then it should be approved for roof-decking usage.

If you are using plywood, you need to ensure that it is labeled CDX that means it is a construction grade plywood for exterior use. If you are using OSB, then you need to ensure that it is having approval from the APA- The Engineered Wood Association. It is important to note that OSB is prohibited in areas like Florida and other hurricane-prone zones.

5-Utilize Full Tabs at Valley or Rake Edges

Where possible, you should install3-tab shingles so that tabs falling over metal valleys or rake edges at the side of a house at least 4 inches wide. For best results, use full-size shingles going to a close valley as this eliminates nailing too close to the centerline.

6-Usage of Proper Nails

Nails should be used to secure asphalt shingles. The preferred nails are galvanized steel or corrosion-resistant roofing nails. You need to ensure that verify this against local building code requirements and recommendations from the manufacturers.

7-Using Proper Nailing Technique

Asphalt shingles can be attached with just four nails with each shingle. But if the installation is done in an area prone to high winds, six nails and should be used for each shingle. Remember that your nail should be placed below the line not inside or above it. For reducing the wind lift forces over the shingles do not nail them too high or too low.

You need to ensure that nails are driven straight so that sharp edges of nail heads will cut the asphalt shingles. Your all fasteners should penetrate at least ¾ inch into the wood deck or completely through the sheathing.

Majority of the people ask the question, how to store spare asphalt shingles? You should be placing your asphalt shingles in an upright position for avoiding breakage. You should keep boxes in short and single-box piles. Avoid stacking over the containers on top of each other.

8-Attaching Correct Ridge Cap Shingles

When the ridge is covered with shingles as compared to the roof vent, then you need to ensure that cap shingle is attached with two nails. You should add nails on each side of the peak. Usually, it should be 13/4 to 2-inch-long nails used on the ridge.

9-Take Care of Double Layers of Roofing

Wherever possible, you should save money by layering new roof over the old shingles without removing old roofing. Moreover, you need to ensure that the old roof is flat and in decent shape. If there will be any flaws or irregularity in the roof, then this appears in a new layer of shingles.

10-Don’t Forget About High Winds

In areas where high winds are common, it is a good idea to use shingles with a reinforced nailing strip area. These strips will increase wind uplift resistance up to 110mph. For your information, you should use a minimum of four No 9 11/2 inch-hex head screws when shingles are installed in high wind areas.

11-Use Ice and Water Membrane When Possible

For your information, an ice and water membrane are impermeable rubberize fabric used to give double protection against moisture penetration. It is a good idea to line valley and first few feet of the deck along eaves. This will be necessary for the region with freezing winter temperature where ice dams are common.

Hope now you are having a clear idea of the process of howto install roof shingles andthings to keep in mind while working. You should always hire the experienced roofing company to get the work done by the competent workers.

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