One section of my roof, five squares, needs repairs to decking at two spots and rafters at one spot of the eaves. I want to reshingle the section, which includes 20 feet of ridge, 30 feet of hip, and 15 feet of valley. My BIL volunteered to help. I've never worked with shingles before but have helped him install a metal roof over his shingles.
He says the hardest part will be removing the old shingles. I'm afraid of how long it may take to prepare the roof for rain. When the shingles are off, we'll be tired. There could be delays in the carpentry. I don't know how long it might take to make the felt watertight at hips and ridges. We'll be walking on bare wood and then felt and may not have jacks and a board in place in case we slip. The pitch is 6/12.
When a neighbor reshingled his 10/12 roof, he says he started at the bottom and removed as many shingles as he could replace that day. That sounds like a good idea for someone in my position. There is no felt under the old shingles. From a ladder, I'd pry up the shingles nailed within three feet of the eave. Then I'd slide a course of felt under the tabs of the next row, fasten the felt to the wood lightly (staples?) and begin laying shingles.
That approach might have several advantages.
- I'd always be able to make the roof watertight within an hour or so.
- We could fix the rafters at the eaves before uncovering the whole roof.
- I'd be walking on new shingles, not felt or wood or old shingles.
- I could have the jacks in place before I even climbed onto the roof.
- We wouldn't be under pressure to rush or work when overtired.