As a homeowner, you may want to tackle as many repair and maintenance jobs around your home that you can, hoping to save some money and even some inconvenience in scheduling this work with a professional. However, before you decide that you can make roof repairs by yourself, note a few important precautions first. This will ensure the job is done right and that the work lasts as long as possible, or let you know if it's better to leave the work to professionals rather than trying to do it on your own!
Installation method
One concern about replacing old shingles or tiles on your home's roof is that there may be new building codes and regulations in your area, of which you're not aware. Failure to follow those codes can reduce the home's resale value, or even mean that you need to redo the work to bring it up to code.
There may also be different installation methods for different types of tiles, something you should consider before changing the roofing materials from asphalt shingle to plastic, slate, or concrete tiles. Also, if the current shingles on the home didn't last for very long and blew away easily, this can mean they were not installed properly; using the same installation method for replacement shingles can mean that they won't last much longer either! Some tiles hook over furring strips that keep them in place, and some need individual nails for more support. If you're not familiar with the best method or current regulations for installing tiles, call a contractor to have this work done for you.
Asphalt shingles
Asphalt shingles are still very popular as a roofing option, but note that they may be sold as individual tiles or as long rows of tiles. If you're trying to replace missing tiles on your roof, you may need to pull up these long rows if one section has been damaged, and then replace it with the same type of sheet rather than individual tiles.
Roofing felt
Roofing felt goes under tile and provides a solid foundation for the shingles. If you're replacing large sections of roofing materials, consider an upgrade to a thicker felt that provides better insulation. Felt with bitumen mixed in will provide more waterproofing protection, good for areas with high humidity or frequent storms. Be cautious about choosing plastic felt; it may be more affordable in many cases, but it doesn't allow humidity to escape the house, so you could have moisture trapped in the attic if you apply plastic felt.
For more information on roofing supplies, contact a professional.
Share4 May 2017
Hey! Welcome to my blog. My name is Walter and I live in Alice Springs, Australia. Last year, I woke up in a state of shock. The roof of my home had collapsed. I walked out into what use to be my living room only to discover a complete disaster zone. There were bits of slate and wood everywhere. Thankfully, no one in my family was injured. I called in a local roofing company and I worked with them to replace the roof. I learnt a lot about roofing during that week so I decided to start a new blog.