Roofing
Shingles, underlayment, and flashing done safely
Roofing is one of the most physically demanding DIY projects — and one of the most consequential if done wrong. Get the waterproofing sequence right and your roof will protect your home for 25+ years. Get it wrong and you'll be dealing with leaks and rot within a few years.
Step-by-Step Guide
Safety setup first
Set up roof jacks and a walking board on any pitch over 4/12. Use a harness and anchor system on anything steeper. Never work on a wet or frosty roof. Have a spotter on the ground.
Tear off old roofing
Strip shingles down to the deck. Inspect sheathing for soft spots, rot, and damaged areas — replace any compromised sections. Pull all old nails or hammer them flat.
Install ice and water shield
Apply self-adhesive ice and water shield in the first 3 feet from the eave (more in cold climates), in all valleys, and around all penetrations. This is your last line of defense against leaks.
Install underlayment
Roll out synthetic underlayment (or 15# felt) from eave to ridge, overlapping each course by 4". Staple or cap-nail every 12". Overlap end laps by 6".
Flash all penetrations
Install step flashing at walls and chimneys, pipe boots around vents, and valley flashing in all valleys. Flashing is where 90% of roof leaks originate — don't rush this step.
Install shingles
Start with a starter strip at the eave. Snap chalk lines every 5" (standard exposure) to keep courses straight. Nail 4 nails per shingle in the nail zone. Cap the ridge with ridge cap shingles.
Pro Tips
Install drip edge at the eave before underlayment, and at the rake after underlayment — this is the correct waterproofing sequence.
Snap chalk lines every 5" across the entire roof before nailing a single shingle — straight courses are impossible to eyeball.
In cold climates, extend ice and water shield 24" past the interior wall line (not just 3 feet from the eave) to prevent ice dam damage.
Rent a coil nailer — hand-nailing a full roof is exhausting and inconsistent. Consistent nail placement is critical for wind resistance.
Recommended Tools
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Materials Checklist
- Architectural shingles (measure roof + 15% waste)
- Starter strip shingles
- Ridge cap shingles
- Ice and water shield (self-adhesive)
- Synthetic underlayment
- Step flashing + pipe boots
- Drip edge (eave and rake)
- Roofing nails (1-3/4" coil)
- Coil roofing nailer
- Roof jacks + safety harness
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