3 Ways to Master DIY Roofing Without Breaking a Sweat
Not everyone can afford a professional roofer to come to their home and patch a roof. Not everyone wants to call out a professional roofer contractor to come and replace some missing shingles. Whatever the reason, DIY roofing has become more and more popular in recent years.
Although DIY roofing is a great way to save money and achieve something, a few tips must be followed to correctly DIY a roof. After all, roofs are designed to protect a home from the elements, so they must be crafted carefully to avoid leaks or damage. A bad roofing job could result in extensive damage and cost more than having the roof mended by a professional in the first place. If you at some point need a piece of professional advice, click for roofing services here. Before you start any roofing project, it’s important to do your research and gather all the necessary information.
Use Appropriate Equipment
Firstly, anyone wanting to master DIY roofing should have the appropriate tools and equipment. This means everything from safety equipment to installation tools. Generic tools are of no use in this DIY project, and specialized tools are needed, such as a roof harness and a roofing nailer. If already a keen DIY maestro, you may already have some of the necessary tools, but if not, you can easily rent them from different hardware stores. Standard tools needed for any kind of roofing installation include an industrial stapler, caulk gun, saws, utility knives, an air hose or compressor, and a straightedge. Shingles, nails, feet, hooks, and vent flashing are also common materials needed, but this may vary depending on what kind of roof is being constructed.
Safety equipment is imperative, and no job should be completed without it. Even if a bungalow is to have a DIY roof, safety equipment still needs to be used. If someone falls from a roof, the injuries incurred could be catastrophic. Wearing a harness, having scaffolding, and using an extension ladder significantly improve a DIY project’s safety. Not to mention, wearing appropriate clothing, gloves, and boots could prevent minor injuries, too.
Measure The Roof Properly
The last thing anyone needs is to order all of their roofing components, wait for delivery, remove old roofing components, start the job and then realize they’ve either ordered the wrong materials or not enough. In some cases, some people order too many resources and are then left with unused materials. Not only would it delay the DIY roof, but it would also be a huge waste of resources.
Measuring the roof is pretty simple, but you will need a tape measure to do so. Make sure you work out the square foot of the roof so that you can buy the appropriate materials. If you’re planning to replace a few shingles, measure each shingle and then work out how many you need. When placing your order, make sure you buy the right color to match your existing shingles.
Ways to Master DIY Roofing: Have a Plan
It would help if you planned your time wisely to work efficiently and avoid any mistakes. Firstly, you’ll want to remove any old or damaged materials from the roof to create a clean space to work. You can do this in phases, but you’re probably best doing it all in one go for smaller jobs. Once you have removed these materials, separate them from any new materials you are using.
Whether you create a pile of waste or want to reuse the materials elsewhere, it doesn’t matter, as long as they don’t get jumbled with the new materials. Then you can organize your new materials and start to install them. By having a plan and being organized, you’re less likely to make easy mistakes. Plus, it’ll improve the safety of the job too.
If you have any concerns about a roofing project, call out a professional. Ideally, you would have done your research before starting this DIY project so you can quickly identify any problems, but if not, there’s no harm in calling a professional, even if it’s just for some advice.
