how do you start the first course of shingles

• For the kind of shingles you purchase there may be a special starter row of shingles or a roll of strip material that you cut to the length of your roof.
• Alternatively, you can use a starting row of full-sized shingles by turning them with the tabs pointing upward.

Full Answer

How do you install starter shingles?

• Work your way up and across to begin laying your courses. ...
• As you continue, follow the pattern of lining a full shingle up against the next and then nailing it into place. ...
• Cut your last shingle on each row to size, repeating all the way to the ridge. ...
• Do the same with the next shingle, continuing this step until you get to the far edge of the ridge.

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How to cut and install starter shingles?

Part 1 Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Roof Download Article

1. Get the right number of shingles for the job. It generally takes three bundles of shingles to cover 100 square feet (9.29 square meters).
2. Measure the length of a shingle as it lies across the roof. This will help determine how the shingles will lay on the roof width.
3. Remove old shingles and flashing. ...
4. Clean the roof. ...
5. Install underlayment and new flashing. ...

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How to install shingles from start to finish?

• Drip edge at the eves. ...
• Using your cap nails, secure the deck protection to the roof. ...
• Then, install new flashing (metal flashing is often called "drip edge" along the bottom of the roof near your gutters) and starter shingles at the edges.
• Nail the drip edge in place using your hammer and roofing nails. ...

How to lay starter shingles?

Installing Roof Shingles in 11 Steps:

• To start installing shingles, line up aluminum drip edge flush with the edge of the roof and make a pencil line at the top on each end of the house.
• Using the chalk line, snap a line between the two marks to get a straight edge.
• Pull the drip edge down about a half inch from that line to create a gap between the drip edge and the fascia board.

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How do you start the first run of shingles?

3:376:00How to Install Starter Shingles - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo there's your piece with your 10 to 12 inches off. You're going to run that right over to theMoreSo there's your piece with your 10 to 12 inches off. You're going to run that right over to the corner. So your tar lines are touching. And same thing you're going to come a quarter inch down.

How do you start the first row of three tab shingles?

0:244:56How to : Roofing - Where to start laying (three) 3 tab shingles / starter ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo after this one here is nailed in place then you say how I line it up. So we've cut a half tab offMoreSo after this one here is nailed in place then you say how I line it up. So we've cut a half tab off boat. So we want it flipped upside down lined up on a thirty inch mark.

Do you put starter shingles on the rake?

Starter shingles should always overhang the eave and rake edges of the roof by about 1/4"-3/4" to ensure adequate rain water drainage. It is also important that the seal strip is placed facing up and close to the edge of your roof; otherwise, your roofing system won't seal properly.

Do you need starter shingles with ice and water shield?

In fact, the proper order to follow should be your drip edge first, along with an underlayment such as an ice and water shield. Roofing felt should also go before installing starter shingles.

How do I get my first row of shingles straight?

3:266:35How to Install Roof Shingles | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clip12 inches to the top of the first row of shingles. So the shingle's going to overhang the drip edgeMore12 inches to the top of the first row of shingles. So the shingle's going to overhang the drip edge a half inch right that helps from also for surface. Tension.

How do you keep shingles straight?

e shingles aligned vertically and horizontally. A chalk line can keep your line straight over long distances and large areas. A chalk line can help eliminate short exposures, waviness and additional antithetical issues.

How far should shingles overhang the rake?

The edge of the shingles should hang over a roof between an inch and an inch and a half — or between a half inch and three-quarters of an inch if drip edge flashing is installed. Too much overhang and the shingles could blow off in high winds; too little can allow water to seep into rake or fascia boards.

Where should shingles be nailed?

Penetration. When nailing shingles, proper penetration into the roof deck is essential to ensure the nail and shingle remain secure. For all Owens Corning® shingles, roofing nails should penetrate into the wood deck by a minimum of ¾-inch or completely through the roof deck by a minimum of 1/8-inch.

What happens if you don't stagger shingles?

Stagger Is Important If the stagger (offset) is not adequate, rain can move through the edge of the shingle to the edge of the lower shingle, creating a leak.

Can I use regular shingles as starter shingles?

The starter strip is the layer of shingles underneath the first course along the edge of the roof. Some roofers simply take regular shingles, flip them upside down and nail them down as a starter course.

Does roofing felt go over ice and water shield?

The quick answer is yes, roofing felt does get installed over ice and water shield. The answer to this question and many more questions can be found using the water principle. This is something I was taught when I was first learning how to roof.

Do you peel the plastic strip off shingles?

The GAF shingle application instructions for our entire product line specifically state that that film does not need to be removed. Note: The film strips on the back of each shingle are to prevent sticking together of the shingles while in the bundle. Their removal is NOT required during application.

How do you make a starter strip for a roof?

0:231:553 Tab shingle starter and how to make it - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat head lap that goes up plenty high and your seal strip is the starter row now you slide it downMoreThat head lap that goes up plenty high and your seal strip is the starter row now you slide it down and then put your row on top you'd have a seal strip under every one of these.

How do you layout shingles?

3:4717:55Asphalt Shingle Panel Layout Basics - Popping Lines - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you're hanging your shingles over which we don't do here in South Florida. We don't hang themMoreIf you're hanging your shingles over which we don't do here in South Florida. We don't hang them over we have drip edge that that has a little edge on it and we lay it flush mostly due to high wind.

Do you nail shingles on the tar line?

0:153:52How to : Roofing - Where and How to Nail a Shingle - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBreak put a nail right on the tar line. Okay on the on the next one right here above the littleMoreBreak put a nail right on the tar line. Okay on the on the next one right here above the little break and on the tar lines okay. And then on each end of the shingle.

How do you shingle a valley with 3-tab shingles?

3:016:15"Roof Installation: How To Shingle a Valley (HD)" by RoofRepair101YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDon't make a joint in the valley. If a shingle falls short insert a one or two tab section for 12 toMoreDon't make a joint in the valley. If a shingle falls short insert a one or two tab section for 12 to 18 inches of laminated shingle in the row. So that a full shingle extends over the valley.

How long does it take for shingles to appear?

Early symptoms of shingles can appear several days before the more obvious symptoms. However, some people will not have early symptoms before a rash appears.

What are the causes of shingles?

Other groups prone to developing shingles include: 1 people with HIV 2 people undergoing cancer treatments 3 people who have had organ transplants 4 people experiencing a lot of stress

How long does it take for shingles to appear on one side of the body?

After about 1 to 5 days, a shingles rash will appear on one side of the body, often in a single characteristic band around one side of the torso or face.

What is the best treatment for shingles?

Call your doctor as soon as you suspect shingles so you can begin treatment as early as possible. Antiviral drugs such as acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), or famciclovir (Famvir) can make symptoms less severe and shorten the length of the illness if taken early.

How many people in the US have shingles?

state that almost 1 in 3 people in the US will develop shingles in their lifetime. But some people are more likely to develop shingles than others. It is estimated. Trusted Source. that half of all cases of shingles occur in people aged 60 years and older.

What are the symptoms of shingles?

nausea. general feeling of being unwell. fever. Your doctor can often diagnose shingles based on these symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe medication to speed up recovery. Medication also reduces the chance of complications, so seeking early intervention is important.

Why is it important to know when you have shingles?

When this happens, a person will develop shingles. Recognizing the early symptoms is important because it can be a painful condition with severe complications.

What do you need to do before you can put asphalt shingles on your roof?

Utility knife. Before you can begin setting asphalt shingles on your roof, you must install a row of starter shingles. These shingles are instrumental in making sure the asphalt shingles are correctly laid out on your roof. If these first shingles are not installed correctly, there will be problems with the entire set of shingles.

Where should drip edge flashing go on a roof?

You should already know where the middle of the roof is, and there should be a piece of drip edge flashing that goes along the length of the entire roof.

Can you put a second course on top of a starter course?

Because this is the starter course, the second course will be placed directly on top of it. If there is any overlap, the second course will not seal correctly to the adhesive strip. Use the same number of roofing nails on each successive shingle until you finish the first row.

What is the best pattern for shingle roof?

For most DIY roofers, the five-inch offset is the most desirable pattern. It offers the most protection per shingle, making it much less likely that runoff will cut through the in-betweens, hiding shingle irregularities, and getting the most bang for your buck.

How many tabs off a second course shingles?

A full tab for your second course shingles. 1.5 tabs off of your third course shingles, 2 tabs off your fourth course shingles. For your fifth course, cut off half of the final tab. Keep your sixth course tabs intact.

Why do shingles curl?

Racking shingles sometimes also may create a condition called "pattern curling," where the shingles curl and blow in the wind, at the places where the racked columns join, because of lifting the end of a shingle to place the next shingle and lifting the end high enough to nail the next shingle underneath each of the overlapping shingles. This curling may lead to water getting under shingles, leaking at the places where racked columns meet.

How long do shingles last?

Keeping a solid roofing layer of shingles is an important way to avoid water damage and leaks. Doing it properly will keep you without problems for 20 or 40 years.

What happens if you fire a nail gun through shingles?

If the nail gun is firing too deeply, almost mashing through the shingles, then the nails will soon pull through and come loose. Set the air compressor and gun depth setting lower.

Where to lay starting row on roof?

Lay a starting row at the bottom of the roof along the edge. [1]

What to use to protect a roof over a chimney?

Shingle around stacks, vents and chimneys as necessary. Nail pieces of aluminum sheeting over holes that you can stick your finger through to protect roofing over holes from sagging, dimpling, cracking and leaking.

How Hard is it to Shingle a Roof?

Adding shingles onto a roof can be challenging and dangerous. It’s important to wear the appropriate safety gear such as a harness and a line attached to the ridge or staging with safety rails around it to protect yourself from falling.

Should Shingles Overhang the Drip Edge?

Overhanging shingles over the drip edge about a half-inch can help with surface tension. Plan out how you will lay your shingles beforehand, here’s how we recommend you approach your installation.

Installing Roof Shingles in 11 Steps

To start installing shingles, line up aluminum drip edge flush with the edge of the roof and make a pencil line at the top on each end of the house.

What is the best way to protect against shingles?

What Everyone Should Know about the Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix) Shingles vaccination is the only way to protect against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication from shingles. CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine called Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine), ...

What is the best pain medicine for shingles?

If you experience side effects, you may choose to take over-the-counter pain medicine such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If you experience side effects from Shingrix, you should report them to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

Why Do Some Shingles Need Unique Shingle Starters?

However, certain shingle designs, such as IKO’s Armourshake, have intermittent lower exposed tabs. When roofers install those shingles at the eave on the first course, the starter is visible, and, therefore, its color is relevant. In this case, an additional starter shingle course, in matching colors to the finished shingle, is required as a secondary starter layer.

How much should starter shingles overhang?

Whether installed at the eave or the rake, the starter shingles should overhang the edge of the roof by ¼ inch to ¾ inch. Typically, the finish shingles are then installed to align with the edge of the starters.

What is the Purpose of a Starter Shingle?

Disclaimer: Please use caution when working on sloped roofs. If you have any concerns or are not trained to work at heights, hire a trained professional.

Where do the nails go?

Although the nails cannot merely be placed randomly, their location on the shingle is less critical than it is for the shingles in the field of the roof. For IKO’s Leading Edge Plus starter shingles, the application instructions call for four nails, one at each end, about an inch from the end of the shingle, and two more spaced equally along the shingle’s length. To ensure the nails don’t risk being exposed or interfere with the shingle sealant system, they should be located about 3 to 4 inches from the exterior edge of the shingle.

Do You Need a Starter Course with Architectural Shingles?

The starter edge will help seal the edges and cover your shingle joints. As it won’t be visible on the finished roof, you don’t need to worry about the look of your starter strip and whether it matches your architectural shingles. You can instead use the same starter strip that you’d use for 3-tab shingles.

Why use starter shingles along rake edge?

A simpler and very useful purpose for using starter shingles along the rake edge is that it gives the installer a nice straight line to use as a guide when ending each course of the field shingles.

How many square feet does a bundle of shingles cover?

When you buy a bundle of shingles for your roof, typically you look at the coverage as a function of area (for example, three bundles might cover 100 square feet ). Starter shingles are not sold by area covered.

How many stages of shingles are there?

There are three main stages of shingles. Their duration is somewhat predictable, but the time spent in each stage along with the symptom severity can vary from person to person.

What is the best treatment for shingles?

The primary treatment for shingles is an antiviral medication. Three common antivirals include:

How long does it take for shingles to go away?

An outbreak can often resolve on its own within a month without treatment, but that timeline often can be reduced to several days if antiviral medications are taken at the earliest signs of a shingles rash.

How long does it take for shingles to start hurting?

Typically, the peak pain of shingles is felt within 4 or 5 days after the first symptoms develop, and it comes along with a blistering rash.

How long does it take for a blister to clear up?

Fluid-filled blisters form within a few days and then crust over within the next week. Expect the rash to clear up entirely within a month or so.

Can shingles cause itching?

If you have shingles, you may never experience the extreme pain that can often come with it. You may only feel itching and some minor discomfort.