Asphalt shingle roof replacement in Rhode Island

Start from the deck

A full replacement removes the old shingles, underlayment and flashing down to the roof deck. On older Rhode Island houses that deck is often wide boards rather than plywood, and it may carry two layers of old roofing. Once it is bare, the roofer can replace soft or rotted sections around chimneys, valleys and eaves, and add new sheathing over gapped boards if needed. Any extra decking work should be written into the contract as a change.

Edges are where wind wins or loses

Hurricane Bob made landfall twice in Rhode Island on August 19, 1991, first on Block Island and then in Newport, and more than 60 percent of people across southeastern Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts lost power. Most roofs that fail in wind fail at the edges first. On a replacement, ask about:

• Starter strips with factory sealant along the eaves and rakes, so the first course is glued down
• High-wind nailing, with the nail count and placement the shingle maker specifies for high-wind areas
• Drip edge fastened tightly along every edge, with the eave membrane lapped correctly over or under it
• Ridge cap shingles made for the ridge, rather than cut-up field shingles

Underneath the shingles

Ice-barrier membrane goes along the eaves and in valleys; Rhode Island gets less snow than inland New England, but ice dams still form on poorly ventilated houses. Synthetic underlayment covers the rest of the deck. New step flashing goes in where roofs meet walls, and chimneys get new counter-flashing let into the mortar joints.

Before you sign

Check the roofer’s registration with the Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board (see how to check) and agree in writing on who will pull the building permit.