Roofing SOP Example

Asphalt Shingle Tear-Off & Re-Roof

Full tear-off to deck, ice & water barrier, architectural shingles with chimney flashing.

1. Pre-job safety setup & stagingLay ground tarps over all landscaping within drop zone. Position dumpster at driveway end — do not block public sidewalk. Crew lead assigns harness anchor points and conducts tailgate safety meeting before anyone steps on roof. Verify all ladders are secured at base (stake or tie-off) and top. PPE required: full harness, hard hat, safety glasses, and non-slip boots. Document crew count and weather conditions in project log.
2. Tear-off — field to ridgeBegin tear-off at ridge and work toward eaves. Use tear-off shovels with hook blades. Remove all existing shingles, cap, and felt down to bare deck. Pull all exposed nails and staples with cat's paw. Bag and load debris continuously — do not allow material to build up on roof surface. Crew lead monitors for soft or bouncy decking throughout this phase.
3. Deck inspection & sheathing repairWalk entire deck surface. Use 4-foot straightedge to identify delamination, soft spots, or rot. Mark damaged sections with lumber crayon. Replace any compromised sheathing with matching-thickness OSB or CDX plywood. Nail new sheathing per code (6" field, 3" edge). Photograph all replaced sections with measurements before proceeding.
4. Underlayment installationInstall self-adhering ice & water barrier from eave edge up minimum 6 feet — extend to 24" inside the building's heated envelope in cold climates. Apply synthetic felt paper to remaining field, lapping horizontal courses minimum 4" and vertical laps minimum 6". Staple at 12" intervals in field. Ensure all penetrations and valleys are properly wrapped before shingle installation begins.
5. Flashing — chimney & dormersInstall step flashing at dormers: one piece per shingle course, minimum 4" vertical leg and 4" horizontal leg, secured with one nail in the upper corner only. Counter-flash chimney with base and step flashing per manufacturer specifications. Seal all flashing laps with roofing caulk rated for the application. Do not use nails through the face of counter-flashing — it must be capable of expansion movement.
6. Shingle installationInstall starter strip at eave edge, overhanging 3/8" to 1/2". Begin first course with full shingle aligned to starter strip. Maintain 5" exposure on architectural shingles per manufacturer spec. Nail 4 fasteners per shingle per manufacturer nailing zone — do not nail above or in the adhesive strip. Offset vertical joints minimum 6" between courses. Snap chalk lines every 5 courses to verify straight alignment.
7. Ridge cap & final detailsInstall ventilated ridge cap over ridge vent if present. Use manufacturer's hip & ridge shingles or cut field shingles to 12" length. Nail 1.5" above exposure with 1.5" galvanized roofing nails. Overlap ridge cap so prevailing wind hits the lap. Cut and cap hips beginning at bottom and working up. Apply roofing caulk to exposed nail heads at final cap piece.
8. Cleanup, nail sweep & closeoutRun magnetic nail sweep across all grass, landscaping, and driveway areas — minimum two passes in perpendicular directions. Remove all tarps and debris. Walk roof with homeowner to review completed work. Photograph finished roof from all four elevations plus detail shots of all flashings and ridge. Provide homeowner with manufacturer warranty registration card and installation documentation.