Replacing Roof Felt


Replacing shingles can be a time consuming and expensive task. It certainly is a large investment, so a homeowner should make sure it’s done right the first time. There are many different factors in play when installing a roof and one of these factors is installing roof felt. In the case of a reroof, you may wonder if you need to remove the old felt. Here are a few things to think about regarding your roof felt.

When you decide to replace your roof, make sure you hire a professional roofing contractor. It may be tempting to save money by installing the roof yourself, but this can result in significant problems down the road. A quality roofer who is GAF certified and is licensed will be able to do the job the right way.

While felt does not really affect the effectiveness of the roof, it still acts as the last line of defense should your shingles fail. If you are taking the time to install a new roof, you may as well have the roof felt replaced. A completely new roof will give you more peace of mind.

The Five Most Common Types of Shingle Roof Repairs

Just about every homeowner will incur some variety of roof damage over the course of owning a home. While the types of damage can vary widely, there are some common types of damage that most homeowners will experience, especially on asphalt shingle roofs. Here are the five most common shingle roofing repairs.

Hail, wind, and ice dams are all very common types of roofing. Ice dams can block water from draining off your roofing, leading to leaks and dry rot. Hail and wind damage are almost inevitable in Oklahoma and can usually be repaired with some new shingles. More severe damage may require an entire roof replacement.

Sometimes the seal around your vent pipes can wear due to time and the elements, or they may have been improperly sealed in the first place.

Skylights can also begin leaking over time, usually because of poor installation or seals that have worn out. This is a very common roof repair.

Chimney flashing must be carefully observed. Flashing helps to keep water out where the roof meets with a wall or, in this case, a chimney. Flashing can be damaged by wind and hail and may be ripped back, breaking the seal and causing leaks.

Roof valleys are prone to collect debris such as leaves, sticks, and dirt. Valleys aid the roof in storm drainage, so it is critical that they are kept free of debris. Clogged roofs valleys can wear down your shingles, lead to leaks, and even promote mold and moss growth.

Tools Used in Roofing

Every construction project is going to involves the use of tools and a variety of materials. Roofing is no exception. While we recommend that you leave roof repairs and replacements up to professionals for quality and safety reasons, it can be helpful to know what goes into creating a solid roof. Here are the tools and materials that should go into each roofing project.

Chalk: Used to outline the proper placement of shingles to create an even look to your roof

Crowbar: Used to help pry loose nails stuck in the roof

Flat head shovel: Used to remove shingles from the previous roof

Hammer or nailer: Hammers should be used when only replacing a few shingles while nailers are ideal for larger projects

Nails: Must be the correct size for each roof and are used to secure shingles

Sealant: Good for areas prone to leaks such as around skylights and vents

Tarp: Helps keep the decking dry should it rain during a roofing project

Finally, felt underlayment, shingled or tiles, flashing, plywood decking, and aluminum drip edge should all be installed using the tools listed above. Each of these materials must be used to create a waterproof seal and a solid foundation for your roof. Without these materials, your roof could incur thousands of dollars in damages.

Ladder Safety for Roofing


Any time climbing a ladder is involved, it is a dangerous event. When working on a roof, it is even more dangerous. Being suspended off the ground with your mind elsewhere can turn ugly in a moment. Fortunately, there are precautions you can take to help minimize the chance of having an accident.

If you are standing on a stepladder, do not move outside of the sides of the ladder. Keep your body centered in between them or the ladder could fall over. It would also make it easier for you to fall off the ladder if you are not centered.

Always place your ladder on even ground. A slightly off-balance ladder can shift very quickly, causing you to lose your balance and fall off.

Follow the rules. Only climb up the front side of the ladder and never stand on the top of the ladder. It may be tempting to break the rules to get extra reach, but it can result in serious injury.

Do not perch your ladder on icy or wet ground. The ladder can easily slide out from underneath you, causing you to crash to the ground.

Wear a tool belt so both of your hands are free while you are climbing.

Finally, make sure your ladder extends at least three feet above the surface of the roof. This will allow to grab ahold of something when you are stepping off the ladder to access your roof.

Recycling Shingles for Roads

The most common roofing material used today is asphalt shingling. Unfortunately, these shingles are not very environmentally-friendly, especially when compared to clay tile roofs and wood shake roofs. Asphalt is not a natural material like wood and clay, so something had to be done with old shingles. The answer is recycling.

Believe it or not, road pavement is made with practically the same materials as asphalt shingles. This has made it extremely easy to use old, worn out shingles for road pavement. Initially, recycling old shingles resulted in cost-savings, but cheaper oil has resulted in reduced incentive to recycle shingles.

While municipal use has decreased, recycled asphalt shingles can also be used for residential projects. Driveways, especially long driveways, can use recycled shingles for pavement just like any road.

Ultimately, recycling old shingles is good for the environment and can save money on costs as well. Before throwing old shingles away next time you do a roofing project, look at how you can have them recycled. You may just end up driving on them next time you are out on the road!

If you have any further questions regarding our roof faq’s, you can contact us at 918-404-5996.

Outdoor Creations Roofing is located at 1924 W Albany St, in Broken Arrow Oklahoma.