Shingle bundles are often stacked up on the roof to gain easy access before or during the actual installation. But for how long can the shingle bundles sit on the roof? Sit back and relax! We've done the research to bring you the answer.
Ideally, you can leave the shingle bundles for less than a year before the actual installation. However, there are factors you need to consider when stacking up shingles on the roof. See these factors below:
- The number of bundles stacked up.
- Weather conditions.
- Location on the roof.
This article will cover all things roof shingles. We'll discuss how can you stack them up on the roof and what factors affect their lifespan. We'll broaden the topic by discussing other relevant information. We're ready to share more with you. So, join us in reading!
How Long Can Shingle Bundles Sit On the Roof?
On average, shingle bundles can stay safely on the roof for less than a year. But there are factors you should keep in mind before you leave shingle bundles on the roof. We'll talk more about these factors below.
1. Number Of Bundles Stacked Up
On average, one bundle weighs around 75-80 lbs. You need to estimate how much the stacked-up bundles would weigh. You can potentially stack 2-3 bundles. The less you stack up, the better.
2. Weather Conditions
You don't want to stack up bundles during stormy or snowy days. Remember that shingle bundles are quite heavy and hard. If the weather pushes them down, they will most likely break. Should you need to stack them up, do it in nice weather.
3. Location On The Roof
Of course, there is a risk that bundles may collapse and break the roof. That's why you should choose the strong part of the roof.
You can stack it up on a flat surface near the ridge vent in the middle of the entire roof. This is usually the strongest and safest spot. In case they fall down, they will not slide directly on the ground.
How To Stack Up Shingle Bundles On Roof
You need to stack up shingle bundles properly to avoid having an accident should they fall down. So, we're providing you with steps you can follow.
First, prepare the following tools:
- Pieces of long wood
- Nails and a hammer
- Tarp
Use a piece of wood or anything to support the bundles on opposite sides. Avoid using metal or pointed objects.
See these pieces of wood on Amazon.
You need a set of nails and a hammer.
See this set of nails and a hammer on Amazon.
Use a large tarp to cover the bundles.
See this large tarp cover on Amazon.
If the tools are ready, you can now proceed to these steps:
- Nail the pieces of wood aligned with the roof's ridge to support the bundles from sliding.
- Stack up the bundles by overlapping them on top of each other. You may stack bundles up to three tabs high.
- Cover the bundles with a large tarp.
Why Stack Up Shingle Bundles On The Roof?
It is important to understand why homebuilders often leave stacks of shingles on the roof. We'll discuss the two most common reasons for doing it.
Easy Acess
Usually, shingle bundles are left on the roof to gain easy access to them before or during the actual installation. It's quite difficult to unload the roof shingles one by one, specifically if they're coming from the ground.
Save Space
Another reason is to save space. Shingle bundles may take up a lot of space in your house if you store them in a room. That's why the roof is a good place to store them.
How Many Roof Shingles Do You Need?
It's important to know how many roof shingles you need. Three roof shingles can approximately cover a single square foot of your roof area. This means that for every 100 square feet, you need 33.3 squares of roof shingles.
Try estimating the number of roof shingles you need by multiplying the dimensions of both sides of the roof. The result should be the area of the roof in square feet.
Let's say the roof measures 60 x 45 feet. The area of the roof is 2,700 square feet. The equation should be like this:
(Area ÷ 100) x 3 = squares of roof shingles needed
So, to substitute the values, the computation will be like this:
(2,700 ÷ 100) x 3
= 27 x 3
= 81 squares of roof shingles needed
Therefore, you need 81 roof shingles to cover up the roof's area of 2,700 square feet.
It's better to buy more than the actual amount of bundles you calculated because it's easier to cut out the excess portions than to add more of them. This also saves time and effort. Further, you can keep the extra bundles for future purposes.
How Thick Should Roof Shingles Be?
Standard roof shingles are about 3/16 of an inch thick. Metal shingles, on the other hand, will be about 1-2 inches thick.
Factors Affecting The Lifespan Of Shingles
It's important to be aware on what are the things affecting the durability and lifespan of the shingles. Refer to these factors below.
Proper Roof Ventilation
The ventilation connected to the roof affects the material composition of roof shingles. The air from the attic and all other vents should direct the air upward and away from the roof. Incorrect ventilation may weaken the ceiling and degrade the quality of shingles.
See below for the illustration of a properly ventilated roof:
Steam from the bathroom and kitchen can moisturize the wooden materials under the roof. The moisture will then penetrate through the attic and accumulate under the shingles. This will shorten the lifespan of roofing shingles if left unsolved. Check if your roof has proper ventilation.
Correct Installation
Another factor affecting the roof shingles is the correct installation. That's why we're sharing with you how to install the shingles.
Before we start, prepare the following supplies:
- Roof shingles
- Roofing nails
- Roof sealant
- Underlayment
Prepare the roof shingles based on your preference. Prepare the quantity you need.
The roofing nails should be at least 2-3 inches long.
See this set of roofing nails on Amazon.
You need roof sealant to secure the gaps around the nails.
See this roof sealant on Amazon.
Underlayment is a protective layer that can reduce moisture and prevent water leaks.
See this underlayment on Amazon.
Also prepare these tools:
- Ladder
- Nail gun
- Utility knife
- Staple gun
You need to climb up onto the roof safely with a ladder.
Use a nail gun to lessen the time of manual hammering.
You need to cut the roof shingles with a utility knife.
See this utility knife on Amazon.
Use a loaded staple gun for the underlayment.
See this staple gun on Amazon.
Let's now proceed to the steps:
- Climb up the roof with a ladder, bringing the tools you need. Remember to be careful and ask for assistance when possible.
- Install the underlayment all over the roof and staple it by the edges.
- Nail the shingle starting at the bottom edge.
- Cut the excess shingles with a utility knife.
- Apply sealant around the nails to prevent leakage.
Watch this short clip on how to install shingles on a roof:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?start=110&end=191&v=iaDop-7F6Bc&feature=youtu.be
Condition Of The Attic
The attic's condition is an obvious indicator of the shingles' quality. You cannot expect the roof shingles to last long if the attic is too weak. Consider repairing some damaged parts of the attic or ceiling.
When To Replace Roof Shingles?
Ideally, you should replace the roof shingles when they get damaged and seem ineffective. You don't have to wait 20 years to replace old shingles, especially if they're causing leaks. See some signs below to replace roof shingles.
Shredding
If you see the roofing shingles getting shredded, then you can replace them. The tiny particles can be harmful when they fall down around the house.
Blown Off Shingles
Blown-off shingles can be caused by strong winds and weak roofing nails. If the shingles are still on the roof, you can nail them again with new nails. But if the shingles are stripped off by the wind, you need to install more shingles to fill in the roof's area.
Spreading Algae Or Moss
Too much moisture may accumulate, especially if the house is too old or the shingles' lifespan is over. You should remove the shingles that were damaged by algae or moss. Otherwise, they will make the roof heavier and may cause it to collapse.
In Closing
In this article, we learned that you can stack up shingle bundles on the roof for less than a year. We provided the steps to stack the bundles properly. Of course, we learned to estimate how many shingle bundles you need.
Lastly, we discussed when to replace the roof shingles. Remember that roof shingles can become weak as time goes by.
Do you want to learn more? Read these articles:
What Color Do Asphalt Shingles Come In? [And Which Of These 7 Shades Should You Choose?]