Shingle Roof Replacement in Hempstead, NY

Why choose a shingle with a good wind rating?

Because wind lifts and tears the shingles that are not sealed and fixed well, and a shingle with a higher wind rating holds its seal in stronger wind. The rating is one factor in the choice, not the only one.

Shingles carry wind ratings that describe how well they resist uplift, and the rating is shown on the product. On an exposed roof, the rating matters more than it does on a sheltered one. The roofer explains the rating and how it relates to the house, the exposure and the nailing pattern.

The rating is only part of the wind performance. The nailing, the seal strip and the underlayment all contribute, and a shingle installed to the manufacturer's method performs better than one installed carelessly.

What underlayment and flashing go with a new shingle roof?

Underlayment that suits the roof and an ice-and-water layer at the eaves, with new flashing at each penetration and valley. The new covering is only as good as the base beneath it.

The underlayment is the water-resistant layer between the decking and the shingles. A modern underlayment is more durable than an old one, and an ice-and-water layer at the eave and valleys gives extra protection where water collects. The roofer specifies the underlayment in the scope.

The flashing at the chimney, the vents and the valleys is renewed in the replacement. Old flashing reused with new shingles is a common cause of a leak that appears a few years later.

• Underlayment specified in the scope
• Ice-and-water layer at the eaves and valleys
• New flashing at each chimney, vent and skylight
• Ridge ventilation checked and included where needed

What does the Nassau County licence mean for a shingle job?

The business doing the replacement must hold the Nassau County home-improvement licence, which the Office of Consumer Affairs issues for roofing. A homeowner can ask for the licence before the contract is signed.

Nassau County licenses home-improvement businesses through its Office of Consumer Affairs, and roofing is included. The county's licensing packet says a business may not operate or advertise until its licence is in hand. A roof replacement is a home-improvement job, so the business doing it should hold that licence.

The homeowner can ask the roofer for the licence number and check it with the county. The licence does not guarantee the work, but it confirms that the business is registered to do it in the county.

What goes in the written scope?

The shingle type, the underlayment, the flashing, the decking allowance, the cleanup, the start and finish dates and the payment schedule. A written scope prevents most disputes.

The scope states what is removed and what is installed, with the shingle type and its wind rating. It sets the decking allowance, so the homeowner knows the cost of replacing soft boards and how extra decking is priced if more is found.

The scope also states the cleanup, the start and finish dates and the payment schedule. It should be signed by both parties before the old roof is removed, so there is a clear record of what was agreed.

What should the homeowner expect during the work?

A crew on the roof for several days, noise, debris in a container and protection for the landscaping. The schedule moves with the weather, and an open roof is covered at the end of each day.

The crew works from the roof for the length of the job, and the house is protected with tarps and cover for the landscaping. Debris is loaded into a container, and the area is cleaned each day. The roofer explains the daily routine on the first day.

Weather is the main factor in the schedule. An open roof is covered at the end of each day, and the work stops if the forecast turns to rain or high wind. A homeowner should expect the finish date to move with the weather.

What does the shingle scope list for the underlayment and the edges?

The underlayment type, the ice-and-water layer at the eave and valleys, the drip edge at the eave and rake, and the ridge ventilation. Each is listed so the homeowner can see what is included.

The scope names the underlayment that will go on the deck and where the ice-and-water layer is laid, usually at the eave and in the valleys. It names the drip edge at the eave and the rake, and the ridge ventilation if the attic needs it. A scope that lists those parts is easier to check against the finished roof.

The scope also states the fasteners and the nailing pattern, since the wind rating of a shingle depends on how it is installed. The roofer confirms the pattern on the day, and the note records it.