Umair Gaines
Shingles are essential for protecting a roof from the elements, especially water damage. When shingling a roof with an electrical pole, extra care must be taken to ensure safety around electrical lines. A retrofit electrical mast flashing kit can be used to seal the electrical mast and prevent leaks. This involves removing shingles around the old boot, prying out nails, and installing a new boot, which is then sealed with roofing nails and roofing sealant. It is important to note that working on a roof can be dangerous, and it may be necessary to consult a roofing contractor or electrician for more complex aspects of the job.
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the area and tools
Shingle installation can be a fulfilling DIY project, but safety must always be a priority. Before you begin, ensure you have the right tools and that the area is prepared.
First, clear the area of any debris and set up a sturdy ladder. If you are removing old shingles, you will need a roofing shovel or a shingle removal tool. If you are installing a new roof, you will need roofing nails, a hammer, and a utility knife or utility snips. You may also want to use roofing cement, roofing felt, and a chalk line. If you are working near power lines, exercise extreme caution and only take on the project if you are comfortable.
When removing old shingles, carefully lift and remove them, inspecting the roof for any signs of damage or leaks as you go. Pay close attention to the underlying structure and address any issues promptly by repairing or replacing damaged areas and sealing any leaks. This will ensure a solid foundation for the new shingles.
If you are installing a retrofit roof boot around an electrical mast, you will need a flashing kit, which typically costs around $70, and roofing nails and sealant, which will cost an additional $10 to $15. You may also need a flat pry bar to carefully separate the layers of shingles around the old boot and remove the shingles covering the top of the boot.
Before beginning any roofing project, it is important to review the quick but essential factors. These include installing a drip edge at the roof's bottom edge to guide water away, avoiding exposed nails, and using a chalk line to keep your shingle courses straight. In areas prone to ice dams, an ice and water shield is a must to protect against water damage.
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Remove old shingles and check for damage
Removing old shingles is a dirty and challenging task, requiring preparation, caution, and the right tools. Before starting, clear the area of any debris and set up your workspace. Ensure you have the necessary tools, such as a sturdy ladder, a roofing shovel, a shingle removal tool, a garden fork, a hammer, a pry bar, a broom, and a trash container for the old shingles. Check the weather and aim for dry conditions to allow adhesives or sealants to set properly.
When removing shingles, carefully lift and remove them, using a roofing shovel or shingle removal tool. Pay attention to the underlying structure, inspecting for any signs of damage, leaks, or issues that need to be addressed. Look out for common problems such as rotted areas, broken boards, blistering, cracking, or splitting of shingles. If you find any damage, repair or replace the affected areas, ensuring a solid foundation for the new shingles. Remove any remaining nails and protruding nails, and sweep the roof deck clean.
If you have an electrical mast or power lines nearby, exercise extreme caution. Consider hiring a professional or working with an experienced helper. You may also contact the utility company to temporarily cut the power or run the main service drop underground to ensure your safety. When working around an electrical mast, you can use a retrofit electrical mast flashing kit, which has a crimp-secured opening that slips around the pipe and seals it.
Before removing shingles, check for any permit requirements and meet local building codes. Roofing work is visible from the street, so local inspectors will likely be aware of your project. Ensure you have an easy way to dispose of old shingles and roofing debris, such as renting a dumpster or hauling them away in your truck, following local laws for disposing of asphalt shingles.
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Install roofing felt
Installing roofing felt is a crucial step in the roofing process, as it creates a protective barrier against water and wind. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to install roofing felt:
Firstly, ensure your roof is clean and dry, free of any debris, and well-prepared. Check for any rotten decking and replace it. For pre-existing roofs, strip away old roofing felt, nails, screws, and adhesives. Examine wood surfaces for decay and moisture, addressing these issues accordingly. For new roofs, check for protruding nails and moisture, and clear away any dust and dirt.
Next, bend the metal drip-edge flashing over the roof edges, securing it with galvanized nails hammered in every 12 inches. Starting at the bottom of the roof, unroll a few feet of felt lengthwise. Use a staple gun to staple the first part of the felt to the corner of the roof, ensuring it hangs over the eave by about 6 inches.
Continue to lay the roofing felt, securing it with staples or nails every 8 inches, ensuring it is smooth and wrinkle-free. If you need to start a new roll, overlap the old roll by around 4 inches. When laying the felt over obstacles like vent pipes, cut a slit and place it over the pipe. As you work upwards, ensure the horizontal edges overlap by about 3 inches.
Once you reach the top, cut a piece of roofing felt that fits over the roof peak, overlapping the installed pieces by 3-4 inches. Allow the felt to settle, and then apply adhesive to bond the layers together. Finally, install any edge flashing and verges to prevent driving rain from damaging the roof edges.
By carefully following these steps, you will successfully install roofing felt, creating a strong and protective barrier for your roof.
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Lay the first row of shingles
To lay the first row of shingles, start at the bottom left corner of your roof. Lay the first row of shingles so that they peek over the eaves by about half an inch (1.3 centimetres). This first row is the starter course, and it is crucial to get it right as it will be the foundation for the rest of the shingles. Nail the shingles in place with roofing nails at the top edge of each tile. Double up on the nails for extra security. Place the next row of shingles directly on top of the first, making it two tiles thick. This will provide a solid base for the rest of the shingles.
Staggering the shingles is essential for both the aesthetics and function of your roof. For the third row, trim 6 inches (15.2 centimetres) off the first shingle, then continue with full shingles across the roof, following the pattern in the manufacturer's instructions. Nail each shingle as you go. Remember to overlap your shingles in a staggered pattern. This will ensure that water flows down the roof surface without seeping into the underlying layers, creating a protective barrier that keeps water out.
Before you begin installing the shingles, make sure you have all the necessary tools and materials. The key to a successful shingle job is to ensure everything lines up correctly. This means avoiding a straight line vertically across your roof by staggering the shingles. Use a chalk line to keep your shingle courses straight. This will help with water runoff and give your roof a professional look.
Safety is paramount when installing roof shingles. Wear appropriate gear, be cautious of falling debris, and ensure your ladder is secure. Working on a roof can be dangerous, so it is important to take your time and be cautious. If you are ever in doubt, it is better to consult a professional roofing contractor.
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Seal and fasten the roof boot
A roof boot is installed to form a watertight seal around a protruding pipe and a water-shedding seal against the surface of the roof. Over time, the flexible material of the boot can dry out, crack, and fail, leading to water leaks. To seal and fasten a roof boot, follow the steps below:
First, carefully remove the shingles around the pipe, taking out every nail while ensuring you do not damage the unaffected shingles. If the previous installer used tar and/or screws, this will be more difficult than nails. Once you have cleared the area, install the first shingle below the boot. Measure and mark where the shingle slides up against the bottom of the pipe boot, then trim it to fit the new pipe boot. Nail the shingle in place to fasten it to the decking.
With the bottom shingle in place, cut the gasket on the boot to fit the pipe, then slide the boot over the pipe until it is flush with the decking. If there is a little room around the pipe, be extra careful when sliding the boot on. Next, fasten the boot with three roofing nails along the top, driving the nails where they will be covered by the shingle above the boot. Using lineman's pliers, squeeze the metal clips that came with the kit over the seam down the front of the boot to permanently secure and seal it.
If your boot is very close to the roof edge, you may need to trim the bottom edge to fit using utility snips or cutters. With everything secured, fasten along the front edge of the boot with four roofing nails. Lastly, use roofing sealant to re-adhere any shingles that were previously separated, sealing over the exposed nailheads.
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Frequently asked questions
Working with electrical poles and power lines can be dangerous, so extreme caution is advised. If possible, get an electrician or roofing contractor to help with complex aspects, or ask the power company to cut the electricity while you work.
You will need a flashing kit, roofing nails, sealant, a flat pry bar, lineman's pliers, a utility knife or snips, and a hammer. You may also need a ladder, tarps, a roofing fork/shovel, and a dumpster.
First, separate and remove the shingles around the electrical pole using a pry bar. Install the flashing kit, also known as a roof boot, around the electrical pole. Cut the shingles to fit the boot if necessary, then fasten the shingles with roofing nails. Finally, re-seal any separated shingles with roofing sealant.
As of September 2021, a flashing kit costs around $70, and sealant and roofing nails cost an additional $10 to $15. If you need to hire an electrician or roofing contractor, expect to pay more.
It is important to stagger the shingles to avoid a straight line vertically across the roof. Start at the bottom left corner of the roof and lay the first row of shingles, overlapping the eaves by about half an inch. Secure each shingle with roofing nails at the top edge, and double up the first two rows. For the third row, trim 6 inches off the first shingle, then continue with full shingles, staggering and securing as you go.
