A roof replacement is a big job, but a crew can often complete it in just a few days. While you might be used to seeing and hearing roofers nailing shingles to a home when they're replacing a roof, there are more steps involved in a roof replacement. Here are six other parts of a roof that may need to be replaced, too.
1. Drip Edge
A drip edge is a piece of metal that runs along the bottom edge of your roof. It goes under the first row of shingles and over the fascia board so it can move rain into the gutters. This piece is mostly out of sight, so you may not realize it exists, but it plays an important role in protecting your roof and siding from water damage.
2. Rubber Collars Around Pipe Vents
The plumbing vents that stick through your roof have rubber collars and sometimes rubber flashing. Unless they were replaced not long ago, they'll probably need to be replaced when you get a new roof. Rubber can wear down and crack, so the roofer needs to make sure the rubber is still in good shape if they keep the old parts, but they'll probably take them off and put on new collars.
3. Turbine Vents
If your roof has vents on it to improve attic ventilation, these may also need to be replaced when you get a roof replacement if they're old. Replacing them when you get a new roof ensures they're in good shape too and ready to work for years to maintain good attic ventilation.
4. Plywood Deck
The roofer checks the deck to find parts that have moisture damage. These areas are cut out and replaced with new plywood before the shingles are put on. If the deck doesn't have any moisture damage, the old deck is used again.
5. Metal Flashing
Your roof has metal pieces around the base of the chimney and around the skylights. The roof valley is also lined in metal. The metal pieces protect the roof from water damage and keep rain from leaking in around protrusions. Since it's made from metal and can last a long time, flashing may not always be replaced if it is still in good shape. However, any flashing that's rusty or damaged is replaced with new materials.
6. Underlayment
Underlayment goes under shingles and is an important way to protect the plywood deck from water damage. The underlayment is waterproof, so if rain is blown under the shingles when it rains, it can't get to the deck as long as the underlayment is in good condition. Underlayment wears out just like shingles do, so it needs to be replaced when you get a roof replacement.
For more information, reach out to a local roof replacement service.
Very few roofers would say their job is easy. In fact, many describe the work as downright tough! But that does not mean that roofers do not enjoy or value the work that they do. Many workers get satisfaction from working with their hands, and they really enjoy creating a roof from simple materials. They also like the logistical challenges, such as figuring out how to get shingles up on a tall roof, or how to most safely repair a damage gutter. If you'd like to learn more about roofing as a profession, then you've arrived at the right blog.