Shelter from the rain:
Roofing can be a do-it-yourself project
by Roger Faris
In the middle of a do-it-myself roofing job I remember gazing down on my neighbors who were returning home from their normal jobs and routine errands. The hot, exhausting, and dangerous project that had brought me to my precarious perch had only two benefits. One was the pleasant view. The other was money.
The story really begins with the activities of a local crow. Each morning he would get my attention by pecking and scratching at the worn and fragile asphalt shingles on the ridge of the roof. He would often tear off a small piece, show it to me, and then fly away.
The crow was trying to tell me something important, and one sunny day I decided to investigate. I used a climbing rope for safety. The outlook toward the Olympics was inspiring, and I began to think about a hike in the forest. The crow shouted at me from his nearby tree. Reluctantly, I turned my attention to the condition of the roof, and discovered a collection of serious flaws.
The south facing surfaces had weathered and lost much of the protective layer. There was no metal flashing to seal between roof and chimney, or where sewer vent pipes protruded. The gaps had been filled with a roof cement product which had cracked. The perimeter of the roof was without edge metal or drip edge material. These flaws in the roof system, along with the diligent efforts of the crow, had allowed water to invade the old layers of roofing and roof deck. Significant rot damage was likely. Water stains in the ceiling plaster would be next.
The roof was also mysteriously bumpy, and the edges of the shingles were curled. I realized that the attic had less than adequate ventilation. This had caused damage from overheating in the summer, and from condensation during winter months. I noticed some bowing of roof rafters, and began to wonder how many layers of material had been added over the original 1907 vintage shingles. I knew that a total of three layers was the legal limit, but had a suspicion that someone had ignored the rule.
The wise crow nodded in agreement. A new roof was needed, and soon. Who was going to install it? I looked into the cost of hiring a good roofing contractor, took two extra strength Tylenol, and decided that I'd take it on myself. That great view, fresh air, and exercise. The job looked pretty attractive.
Without the right equipment this sort of project can become a disaster. I knew about that from my exterior painting fiasco, so proceeded to gather the essential tools. These included a scaffold set, roof jacks, and safety rope. I also found old tarps for catching nails and debris, and new tarps for dealing with the possibility of rain. For a rain and wind combination I had a supply of wood battens for fastening the tarps to the roof. I checked my life insurance coverage, ate a large bowl of Wheaties, and was ready to begin.
Removing the old material is best done from the top down. A special shingle eating shovel with a wedge under the blade made it almost easy to pry up the old layers of roofing. The plants in the garden were protected with old plywood and tarps. Stray roofing nails in the yard are a hazard. I announced a 5 cent bounty and let the kids earn some money. Real roofers use a dumpster or dump truck to collect the materials for easy disposal. I used an old workhorse station wagon for my trips to the transfer station. This method is slow, inefficient, and cheap.
Old houses usually have an original layer of cedar shingles nailed to a roof deck which has gaps between the boards. Added to that, in my case, were three additional layers of asphalt composition roofing. A new plywood nailing surface can go right over the old roof sheathing, but only after any deteriorated roof boards have been replaced. The worst damage usually occurs around the perimeter of the roof. Unfortunately, replacing the tongue and groove boards in the soffit areas is expensive.
Roofing contractors can't predict how much of this carpentry repair will be required, and typically charge extra for this on a "time and materials" basis.
When installing the new nailing surface it is important to be extra careful. Even a light breeze can make it dangerous to walk on a roof while carrying a sheet of plywood. I may try hang gliding someday, but not from my roof. A chalkline and circular saw are used to cut the plywood to fit. The edges are joined over rafters or roof deck material so that they are fully supported. I always sweep the surfaces free of sawdust before walking on them. The roof jacks, safety rope, and scaffold system are all part of the scheme to prevent a minor slip from being a fatal one.
Secure installation of the roofing felt is the next step. It is fastened with a very large number of staples, usually with the help of a hammer tacker. Even with that precaution it is easy to rip the felt by moving fast or carelessly across the surface.
Before nailing on the new roof it is important to plan and prepare the appropriate holes for the new, improved, attic vent system. The best ventilation is achieved by letting air in to the attic down low, and providing outlets at the peak. My favorite is a combination of soffit vents and continuous ridge vent. They work beautifully together to provide a convection current of airflow.
Choosing the best roofing material requires some research. The most popular choice is 3-tab composition, available in various colors and patterns. It is also available in different weights, with the heaver materials guaranteed to last for more years. Wood, tile, cement, and metal roofs are other possibilities. For a low slope or flat roof the "torch down" system or another continuous membrane material must be used.
Whatever the product, all of the manufacturers instructions must be followed carefully. It is particularly important that the "starter course" and valleys be installed correctly. Each bundle of composition shingles has a set of instructions printed on the package. Use hot-dipped galvanized roofing nails. They are the best!
If you undertake this sort of project, pause once in awhile to admire the world below, drink some lemonade, and review your safety program. If you notice a crow supervising your work, please send my regards.
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