There are many homeowners out there who want to learn how to roof a house step by step. It is not easy, but it is not hard to pull off either. All you need to do is get the right materials and you will be on your way to making it happen.
How to Roof a House Step by Step
This article takes you through the process, affording you a look into the materials you need, all the way to the roofing process in its entirety to avoid a bad roofing job.
Roofing Materials
- Felt - This is a ply membrane that protects a property from snow, ice and rain. Ideally, felt is capable of lasting 2 decades.
- Tar and Gravel - Old fashioned but still works if you are looking to stick flattened stone together. This combination can last 40 years.
- EPDM - Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM)-type roof designs are affordable and can last for 30 years.
- TPO - Thermoplastic polyolefin is basically a strengthened EPDM membrane. It can resist snow, ice and rain.
- PVC - Polyvinyl chloride has a wide range of applications and has been known to stick around for 30 years.
- Metal - One of the strongest materials around. With the right maintenance, still steel and aluminum will be with you for half a century -- especially in hot climates.
- Asphalt - This is a highly durable material. However, is quite bulky and so will need lots of support.
Tools
- Chalk Line
- Roofing Shovel
- Pry Bars
- Roofing Hatchet
- Framing Square
- Tin Snips
- Hammer Tacker
- Saws
- Roof Adhesive
- Power Nailer
The Steps When Roofing a House
- Get Permits
You will need to understand your local building codes. The rules in various jurisdictions will vary, and you need to dig through them to avoid violations, which lead to penalties.
- Find Your Materials
Find something that works for your budget as well as property. Since you are doing it yourself, you also want materials that you know to work with whether that range from shingles or tile.
- Get Rid of the Old Roof
If you are building a new house, this won’t apply. You can remove your old roof using pry bars, shovels, pliers and hammers. Collect all the waste slowly and find an isolated area to keep it in the short term. Also look for signs of roof damage during this time so that you can repair any holes prior to applying your new roof.
- Put Up Drip Molding and Roof Valley Flashing
The molding directs water to your gutters. To install them, simply make a chalk line down towards the gutters and nail the molds 12 inches apart. The same process applies to valley flashing.
- Chalk Comes in Handy
Synthetic and metal roofs need to be nailed down using nails. Mark the places you expect to nail with chalk lines. This time, the spacing needs to be 6 inches.
- Work With Roof Adhesive
This kind of adhesive provides for a great seal around nails that have been exposed. The nails are also protected against bad weather and rust.
Bottom Line
Getting the hang of how to roof a house step by step will take time, but once things start to alight, you will find yourself enjoying the process. If the project is too big for your set of skills, call in the professionals when it comes to roof maintenance or installation.
Comments(3)