A well-installed shingle roof protects your San Diego home for two decades or more. The installation process matters as much as material quality—proper technique prevents leaks, extends shingle life, and ensures warranty coverage.
Here's what happens during a professional shingle installation and what you should expect at each stage.
Before Work Begins
Preparation determines project success. Your contractor should walk the property with you before starting work. They'll explain where dumpsters and equipment will go, how landscaping will be protected, and what the daily schedule looks like.
Move vehicles away from the work zone. Roofing creates debris that falls unpredictably, and nail guns occasionally misfire. Park on the street until the project completes. If you have a pool, expect it to be covered.
Interior preparation matters too. Vibration from roof work can shake loose items off shelves. Pictures might shift, dust can filter down through attic access points, and sensitive electronics deserve protection. These precautions take minutes but prevent frustration.
The tear-off phase removes existing roofing down to the deck. This is the loudest, messiest part of the project. Old shingles, underlayment, and flashing go into the dumpster. By end of day one, your roof is stripped and ready for inspection.
Deck Inspection and Repair
With the old roofing removed, the crew examines the deck for damage. Soft spots, water staining, delamination, and rot all require attention before new roofing goes on. This inspection often reveals problems invisible from above.
Don't shortcut deck repairs. Installing new shingles over damaged decking guarantees premature failure. Quality contractors quote deck repair separately, adjusting the final price based on actual conditions found during tear-off.
Common deck issues in San Diego homes include:
- Water damage around failed flashing
- Rot at eaves from poor ventilation
- Plywood delamination from heat and moisture
- Damage from previous roof penetrations
The Installation Sequence
Underlayment goes down first. This waterproof barrier beneath your shingles provides critical backup protection. San Diego contractors increasingly use synthetic underlayment instead of traditional felt because it handles heat better and lays flatter.
Drip edge installation follows. These metal strips at eaves and rakes direct water into gutters instead of behind them. Proper drip edge installation prevents the fascia board rot we see on many older San Diego homes.
Valleys deserve special attention. These channel the heaviest water flow, and valley failures cause some of the worst leaks. Quality installation uses either metal valley flashing or a careful woven shingle technique.
Starter strips create the foundation for your field shingles. These adhesive-backed pieces seal the eave edge against wind-driven rain. Skipping this step or using wrong products invites problems.
Field shingles go on in courses from bottom to top. Proper offset patterns prevent water infiltration at seams. Nail placement matters—too high and shingles blow off, too low and heads show through.
Flashing installation happens as the shingling reaches penetrations. Step flashing at walls, counter flashing at chimneys, and boot seals around pipes all require precise execution.
Ridge installation completes the project. Ridge caps seal the peak while ridge vents provide crucial attic ventilation. This final step locks everything together.
Cleanup and Final Walkthrough
Professional crews leave your property clean. Magnetic sweepers collect fallen nails. Debris disappears with the dumpster. Tarps come off landscaping. Your property should look better, not worse, when they leave.
Walk the perimeter with your contractor. Ask questions about anything that concerns you. Confirm warranty registration details and receive all documentation.
