Even if you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person, the task of roofing can still be a bit daunting. It’s a large job, and has many different steps that need to be completed perfectly. Any missteps can be quite costly in the long run.

Installing roofing felt properly is absolutely critical for getting the job done well. While metal roofing materials don’t require a layer of felt, more conventional materials like shingles, asphalt, and wood need roofing felt to be complete.

Roofing felt is the asphalt saturated cardboard paper that’s rolled onto a roof before the roofing material is laid down. Its primary purpose is to waterproof your home, keeping your belongings safe and dry during harsh weather conditions.

Before laying the roofing felt, make sure that the roof is very clean and very dry. If any water gets caught under the felt, it can damage the sheathing material, the roofing felt, and the roofing materials themselves.

When laying down the roofing felt, take the time to smooth out each strip as it is placed. Make sure that nothing gets trapped under the felt. Air bubbles, tools, or leaves can cause much damage over time if left there.

To properly install roofing felt, you need to overlap the strips when you lay them down. This is the only way to make sure that the roof will be water-tight. While this does require more material, it is definitely worth it.

It may be hard to keep these tips in mind if you’re installing the roofing felt on a hot summer day. Cutting corners is never a good idea, though, as it always leads to worse problems in the long run. Doing the job right the first time is the only way.

If you take the time to keep the roof clean and dry, smooth out any bubbles, and overlap the felt strips, you’ll have no trouble installing the roofing felt. This won’t be the final step in your roofing project, but it will definitely be one step done right.