The Roof Replacement Process: What Actually Happens

Many Massachusetts and Rhode Island homeowners feel uncertain about what to expect during a roof replacement. This detailed walkthrough explains exactly what happens - from the morning the crew arrives through project completion.

Before the Project Starts

Permit Acquisition

Massachusetts municipalities require permits for roof replacements. Roofing Doctors obtains all required permits before work begins. Permits ensure the work is inspected and meets code requirements - protecting you.

Materials Delivery

Shingles, underlayment, and other materials are typically delivered 1-3 days before the project. You'll see pallets of shingles arrive. Roofing Doctors coordinates deliveries to minimize time materials sit on your property.

Pre-Project Communication

We'll confirm the start date, expected duration, and any special considerations (access points, where the dumpster will be placed, pets to keep inside).

Day 1 Morning: Setup and Tear-Off

Crew Arrival and Setup (7:00-8:00 AM)

• •Crew arrives with trucks, trailers, and equipment
• •Tarps are laid around the perimeter of the home to protect landscaping, AC units, and driveways from falling debris
• •Ladders and safety equipment are positioned
• •If a dumpster is used, it's positioned for convenient debris loading

Tear-Off (8:00 AM - Midday)

The existing roofing materials are removed down to the bare wood deck:

• •Workers start at the ridge and work down, prying up shingles, underlayment, and old nails
• •Old drip edge is removed
• •All debris is carried to the dumpster or trailer
• •This is the noisiest part of the process

Deck Inspection (Midday)

With the deck exposed, the crew foreman walks the entire deck surface:

• •Soft spots are identified by feel and visual inspection
• •Any damaged decking sections are marked
• •Roofing Doctors contacts the homeowner before proceeding with any decking replacement

Decking Repairs (If Needed)

• •Damaged plywood or OSB sections are cut out
• •New material is cut to fit and nailed to the underlying framing
• •Repaired sections are feathered to meet existing deck level

Day 1 Afternoon: Underlayment and Flashing

Drip Edge at Eaves

New drip edge is nailed along all eave edges before any other material goes on.

Ice and Water Shield

Starting at the eave, self-adhering ice and water shield is applied:

• •Minimum 6 feet from the eave edge (Massachusetts code minimum)
• •Into all valleys (covering the full valley width)
• •Around all penetrations (chimneys, skylights, pipe boots)
• •Extended up steep slopes or onto porches per project specifications

Synthetic Underlayment

Quality synthetic underlayment is applied across the remaining deck surface:

• •Applied from bottom to top, with each course overlapping the one below
• •Stapled or nailed per manufacturer specification
• •Carries the crew's weight safely during shingle installation

Drip Edge at Rakes

Drip edge is installed at the sloped sides of the roof (rakes), on top of the underlayment - the correct installation sequence.

Metal Flashing (New or Replacement)

All flashing details are addressed:

• •Step flashing at all wall-to-roof transitions installed course by course as shingles progress
• •Valley metal laid and secured
• •Chimney base and counter flashing replaced
• •Pipe boot flashings replaced with new product

Day 1-2: Shingle Installation

Starter Strip

A special starter strip shingle is applied at the eave and rake edges. This seals the bottom edge of the first course of field shingles and provides wind protection at the most vulnerable edge.

Field Shingles

Starting from the eave, shingles are laid in overlapping courses up the roof:

• •Offset pattern (joints between shingles never align vertically)
• •Nailing pattern per manufacturer specification (4 or 6 nails per shingle depending on wind zone)
• •Each course overlaps the one below by the correct amount

Ridge Cap

At the peak of the roof, ridge cap shingles are installed:

• •Nailed with appropriate fasteners
• •Each piece overlaps the one below
• •The last piece is sealed

Penetration Flashings

Pipe boots and vent flashings are integrated with the shingle courses as each area is reached.

Final Day: Cleanup and Inspection

Magnetic Nail Sweep

A rolling magnetic nail sweeper is pulled across the lawn, driveway, and any accessible surfaces to collect nails and metal debris. This is critical - nails in your lawn or driveway can cause injury and flat tires.

Debris Cleanup

All tear-off debris is removed from the property. Tarps are folded and removed.

Final Inspection

The crew foreman walks the completed roof and inspects:

• •All ridge cap properly installed and nailed
• •All flashing properly integrated
• •All penetrations properly flashed
• •No loose shingles or material

Homeowner Walk-Through

Roofing Doctors walks through the project with you:

• •Review the completed work from accessible vantage points
• •Answer any questions
• •Provide warranty documentation
• •Explain what to expect in the next 30 days (granule shedding with first rains is normal; don't walk on the roof for 30 days while shingles fully seal)

After the Project

Warranty Registration

Roofing Doctors registers your manufacturer warranty within 30 days of project completion. You'll receive warranty documentation by mail or email.

Normal Post-Installation Items

• •**Granule shedding:** The first few rains may wash significant granules into gutters. This is normal with new shingles and does not indicate a problem.
• •**Sealing:** Asphalt shingles have heat-activated adhesive strips that bond completely after a period of warm temperatures. In cool weather installations, full bonding may take a few weeks.