Roll Roofing Help

Preparation

• Prior to applying roll roofing, install a roof underlayment, which is designed to prevent moisture on your future roof shingles from leaking into the interior of your home. Also, look at the shape of your roll roofing to make sure the edges of the roofing material are not curled. If they are, trim the roofing material so that it is in 18-foot-long sections, and lay these sections flat on top of one another for a few hours.

Rolling

• Lay the roll roofing in 18-foot-long sheets, making sure the first sheet remains as flat as possible. Allow the sheet to hang over the roof eaves by approximately 1/2 inch. Apply galvanized roofing nails to the edge of the roofing sheet about every 3 inches. Put a line of chalk a couple of inches from the first sheet, and apply lap cement above this area.

More Rolling Information

• Secure the next sheet of roll roofing. Continue to lay the remaining 18-foot-long roll roof sheets, nailing down the areas of the seams every 3 inches. At the end of your project, put a ridge sheet in place by producing a chalk line that stretches down from the ridge on both sides of the roof. Next, put lap cement above these areas and install the ridge sheets.

Other Tips

• Avoid starting a roll roofing project unless the outside temperature is at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit, as cold temperatures diminish the quality of the product. In addition, store roll roofing material in a dry location so it does not become warped as a result of exposure to moisture. Expect a roll roofing project to take a day to complete, and try to get help from an assistant to expedite the project. Although completing a roll roofing project typically is quicker than laying regular roof shingles, this type of roofing material is more delicate to handle.