Did you know the ancient Romans created curved roofs? You may or may not have one on your property, but it’s crucial to look after your roof’s shingles.
But how can you install and maintain roof shingles? If you get this vital aspect wrong, your roof could become dangerous and require expensive repairs. Fortunately, there is no need for this to be the case, and you can follow some simple guidelines to look after your roof shingles.
Read on to learn more.
Make a Health and Safety Plan
When installing shingles, you’re going to be working at height in possibly unpredictable weather. Therefore, you need to make a health and safety checklist before you begin work. Inspect your ladder, make sure your harness is fit for purpose, wear the right clothing, and watch the weather forecast to find out what conditions are expected.
If any aspects of your plan don’t seem safe, you should fix any problems before you put a foot on the ladder.
Prepare a Clean Roof
Before laying new shingles, it’s important to clean your roof’s surface. Begin by removing any debris such as leaves or branches, then take away the old shingles. You may be able to prise these off using a shingle-removing tool, but be careful not to damage any other structures during the process.
This is also a good time to check if your existing flashing is still usable, or if you need to replace any sections.
Plan Your Layout and Install Your Shingles
If you start putting on shingles without a plan, you could end up leaving gaps in your roof. Look at the manufacturer’s guidelines for shingle installation, and decide how you will accomplish each step. When you are satisfied, you can start placing your shingles and securing them to your roof.
This could take some time, so be prepared to be patient if you don’t seem to be making quick progress.
Caring for Your Shingles
Now that your roofing materials are in place, you need to make sure they stay in good condition. Whether you are inspecting a home or commercial building, one of the signs of an ill-fitting or loose shingle is a roof leak. This may not be something you can fix yourself, and calling a professional contractor is often the best solution.
Make sure you hire an excellent commercial roof leak repair service that has the proper roofing equipment and trained staff to attend to the issue. This can help you get your roof back into a safe condition as soon as possible.
Install and Maintain Your New Roof Shingles
Installing and maintaining roof shingles is crucial for looking after your property. To get the best results you should always consider the dangers of working at heights and prepare your roof properly. It’s also crucial to plan your shingle layout and to confirm your roof is fit for purpose before adding new shingles.
This can help you install roof shingles in a safe manner so they last for many years!
Before you rush off to install your new roof shingles, be sure to check out more of our brilliant blog posts.
