What a full roof replacement day actually looks like

Most people have a new roof put on only a few times in their lives, so it's natural to wonder what's going to happen on that day. Will it be loud? Will the yard be a mess? How long until the house is covered again? The details depend on the size and shape of your roof, the weather and the crew, but the order of the work is fairly consistent. This is a walk through it, using the scope BXC Roofing lists for a roof replacement.

Before the crew arrives

A good job begins before the first shingle comes off. You'll have chosen your materials and color, the work will be scheduled, and materials are typically delivered ahead of time and staged near the house. Move cars out of the driveway and away from the edge of the roof, and take pictures or pieces of wall decor off the walls on the upper floor, because hammering vibrates the whole house. Let your neighbors know there will be a crew and a dumpster or trailer. If you have pets, plan to keep them somewhere calm.

Early morning: setup and protection

The crew starts by getting set up. That means protecting the things around the house, such as landscaping, a pool or patio furniture, and staging tools and materials. One homeowner's review on Google says BXC's crew arrived promptly at 6 am and completed the roof by 2 pm the same day. That's one customer's experience on one house, not a promise, since every roof is different and weather can change the plan. But it gives you a feel for how early these days begin.

Step one: tear-off

The old roofing comes off first. BXC describes its roof tear-off as removing old roofing materials safely and efficiently while protecting your property, then disposing of the debris responsibly. Expect noise. Expect the sound of crew members on the roof and shingles being pried loose. Debris is typically dropped into a trailer or a protected area rather than the yard. When it's done, the bare roof deck is exposed.

Step two: deck inspection and repairs

This is the step homeowners can't see for themselves, and it's one of the most important. With the old roof gone, the crew can look at the wood underneath. Sheets of decking that are rotted, soft, cracked or damaged by past leaks need to be replaced, because new shingles are only as good as what they're nailed to. Deck inspection and repairs are on BXC's own list for a replacement. If the crew finds trouble, you'll want to hear about it, with photos, before the roof goes back on.

Step three: flashing and underlayment

Once the deck is sound, the crew sweeps it clean and covers it with underlayment, which is a protective layer between the decking and the shingles. This is also when flashing, the metal that seals the places where the roof meets walls, chimneys, vents and valleys, gets replaced rather than reused. Flashing and underlayment replacement is part of BXC's roof replacement scope. Once the underlayment is down, the house is dried in, meaning that it has a second line of defense against rain if the weather turns before the shingles are finished.

Step four: the shingles

Now the roof starts to look like a roof again. The crew lays shingles in courses from the bottom edge up toward the ridge, each row overlapping the one below it, and finishes with ridge caps along the peaks and hips. Bundles of shingles are often lifted to the roof by machine so the crew isn't hauling them up by hand. This is the stage where you can see real progress from the yard, one slope at a time.

A note on ventilation

A replacement is also a natural time to look at the attic's ventilation, because the roof is open and the options are easy to see. BXC lists ventilation system assessment as part of its roof replacement scope. Ask about it if your attic runs hot or you've had moisture problems.

Step five: cleanup

A tidy site is part of the work, not an extra. The crew picks up debris, hauls away the old roofing and does a sweep of the yard and driveway, including a pass for stray nails. A Google review from one BXC customer praised the quality control and cleanup, saying there were no roof nails or trash left behind. A magnet sweep over the lawn and driveway is a common habit among careful crews, and it's reasonable to ask whether yours does one.

The final inspection

The last step is checking the finished work: the shingles, the flashing, the ridge, the penetrations and the cleanup. In one customer review, the reviewer wrote that cleanup and the final inspection were done the very next day after the job was completed, and that the on-site supervisor was courteous, informative and professional while watching every step of the removal and installation. Ask who will supervise your job and walk you through the final inspection.

What you can do to help

• Clear the driveway and the area around the house the night before
• Take down fragile items from walls and shelves that sit on the upper floor
• Make sure the crew can get to outdoor spigots and power if they need it
• Keep kids and pets away from the work zone
• Ask questions as they come up. A good crew would rather answer than guess

If you'd like to see what a replacement would involve for your house, BXC Roofing offers free, same-day inspections and estimates. You can reach the team at (903) 218-2322.