# Dry-In

Dry-in is the roofing construction step between tear-off and final installation in which the exposed deck is protected with underlayment (synthetic felt or ice and water shield) to prevent water intrusion. Dry-in is a separate billable step with its own Xactimate line items.

## The Step That Protects the Deck

**Dry-in is the roofing construction step between tear-off and final installation in which the exposed deck is protected with underlayment to create a waterproof barrier, and it is a separate billable step with its own Xactimate line items.** Once the old shingles are removed, the bare deck is vulnerable. Dry-in consists of applying underlayment - synthetic felt, ice and water shield, or both - until the new roofing material goes on. Skipping dry-in or performing it inadequately results in water damage to the structure.

In a perfect world, tear-off, dry-in, and shingle installation happen the same day. In the real world, weather, crew availability, and material delays can create a gap. That gap is where dry-in earns its name.

## Dry-In as an Emergency Measure

**After storm damage, dry-in often happens as a standalone emergency service before the full re-roof is even scoped.** If the existing roof is compromised and rain is forecast, the priority is protecting the structure from further water intrusion. A crew goes up, strips the damaged area, applies underlayment, and gets off the roof. The full replacement comes later.

This emergency dry-in is billable as a separate service. It falls under the "reasonable and necessary" standard for emergency mitigation - the carrier pays for it because preventing further damage is cheaper than paying for the water damage that would result from waiting.

## Xactimate Line Items for Dry-In

**Dry-in has its own [line items](/content/resources/glossary/line-items/index.html) in Xactimate, separate from tear-off and separate from final installation.** Common dry-in line items include:

| Line Item                   | Description                                              |
|-----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| Synthetic underlayment      | Applied over exposed deck                                 |
| Ice and water shield        | Self-adhering membrane at eaves, valleys, penetrations   |
| Temporary tarp              | Emergency protection before full dry-in                   |
| Labor for dry-in only       | When dry-in happens as a standalone step                 |

Make sure dry-in is scoped as its own step, not bundled into the tear-off or shingle installation line items. Bundling it gives the [carrier](/content/resources/glossary/carrier/index.html) an excuse to argue the work is already included and deny the separate charge.

## Production Scheduling Around Dry-In

**Weather dictates the dry-in timeline, not the project schedule.** If your crew tears off a roof at 7 AM, the dry-in must be complete before any precipitation hits. Check the forecast before every tear-off. If rain is possible within the work window, either delay the tear-off or ensure you have enough crew to complete the dry-in in a compressed timeframe.

Experienced production managers watch weather hourly on tear-off days. A crew that tears off 30 squares and gets caught by an unexpected afternoon storm without completing dry-in is looking at interior water damage, a [mold](/content/resources/glossary/mold-damage/index.html) risk, and a very unhappy homeowner. The [material order](/content/resources/glossary/material-order/index.html) should include enough underlayment for full dry-in before the tear-off crew shows up.

## Frequently asked questions

When does dry-in happen as an emergency measure?

In storm-prone areas, dry-in sometimes happens as an emergency measure before the full re-roof is scheduled. If rain is forecast and you tear off a roof, the dry-in has to happen that day regardless of the rest of the schedule.

Is dry-in a separate billable item?

Yes. Dry-in is a separate billable step with its own Xactimate line items, separate from the tear-off and the final roofing installation. It covers underlayment application (synthetic felt or ice and water shield) to protect the exposed deck.