How to Start the First Run on a New Roof
Replacing a roof is a project that many homeowners will have to take on at some point. An old roof can lead to drafts and leaks. Water leaking into your home can cause water damage, rot and promote the growth of mold. When replacing your roof, it is essential to take steps to make it as watertight as possible. This starts with setting the first course of shingles along the bottom of the roof. An improperly-set first run can cause water to seep underneath the shingles and onto the roof sheathing. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 30-pound roofing felt
- Hammer stapler
- Flashing
- Hammer
- Roofing gun
- Nails
- Shingles
- Utility knife
Instructions
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1
Cover the roof sheathing with 30-pound roofing felt. Lay the felt flat against the sheathing. Overlap the edges of different strips of felt and set it so that it overhangs the edge of the roof by a 1/4-inch. Attach the felt to the roof every six to eight inches with a hammer stapler.
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2
Install the flashing along the bottom edge of the roof by nailing it into position. The flashing is a strip of material -- usually aluminum -- that helps prevent water from seeping up underneath the shingles.
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3
Count how many shingles you will need to run across the bottom edge of the roof.
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4
Cut the tabs off of the shingles with a utility knife.
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5
Line the shingles up along the bottom of the roof, setting them to overhang the edge by a 1/4-inch. Drive three nails into each shingle, one in the middle and one four inches in from each side.
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References
- Photo Credit Construction Worker on the Roof image by steverts from Fotolia.com
