Installing Roof Shingles

As you are building your own home, getting to the stage of installing roof shingles can be quite a hassle. A lot of work goes into getting to shingle installation phase. The house is ready for installing roof shingles after the roof sheathing is completely decked and nailed. Also, at the time of installing roof shingles, the plumbing stacks should be through the deck. If at all possible, make sure that the plumbing stacks are stubbed up in the rear of the house, this will allow a much better curb appeal. Although the way you manage your subcontractors is entirely up to you, I recommend you make it the roofing contractors responsibility to provide his own nails for the installation. This will save you some headaches I assure you.

As you begin installing roof shingles, the shingler will be responsible for first drying in the entire house; and he will then “load” it with shingles. By loading it with shingles, you are essentially moving all of your supplies from the ground level up onto the roof sheathing (decking). This will help prevent costly theft and loss. As you are installing roof shingles, you need to make sure you are using the appropriate roofing felt. For instance, in most valleys it is common to use 90# rolled roofing. This is a heavy duty roofing that will prevent leaks in the area that sees the most water (valleys). Additionally, the roofing contractor should also be installing metal edging along all of the fascia boards. He will also be required to install all of the necessary vent flashing at the plumbers and HVAC contractors stub outs. Additionally, make sure why the contractor is installing roof shingles, that he is overlapping shingles in the valley in a manner the positively drains water above the shingles.