reshingling from the eaves up

Choreboy · 2005-08-24T20:28:55+00:00

One section of my roof, five squares, needs repairs to decking at twospots and rafters at one spot of the eaves. I want to reshingle thesection, which includes 20 feet of ridge, 30 feet of hip, and 15 feet ofvalley. My BIL volunteered to help. I've never worked with shinglesbefore but have helped him install a metal roof over his shingles.He says the hardest part will be removing the old shingles. I'm afraidof how long it may take to prepare the roof for rain. When the shinglesare off, we'll be tired. There could be delays in the carpentry. Idon't know how long it might take to make the felt watertight at hipsand ridges. We'll be walking on bare wood and then felt and may nothave 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 thebottom and removed as many shingles as he could replace that day. Thatsounds like a good idea for someone in my position. There is no feltunder the old shingles. From a ladder, I'd pry up the shingles nailedwithin three feet of the eave. Then I'd slide a course of felt under thetabs of the next row, fasten the felt to the wood lightly (staples?) andbegin laying shingles.That approach might have several advantages.1. I'd always be able to make the roof watertight within an hour or so.2. We could fix the rafters at the eaves before uncovering the whole roof.3. I'd be walking on new shingles, not felt or wood or old shingles.4. I could have the jacks in place before I even climbed onto the roof.5. We wouldn't be under pressure to rush or work when overtired.

Aug 24, 2005 22 Replies

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Choreboy 20 years ago

Thanks! I'll bet my BIL didn't know about that.

A whole 60-pound bundle? I guess I'll be climbing with one hand, and I'll be top-heavy stepping onto the roof. Maybe I should try a lighter load until I'm used to it.

That foot board will assure me. I used to slide working on his 6/12 metal roof, but it was merely a nuisance because below me, the roof broke to a lower pitch.

The day my BIL patched my roof, before he left he told me not to go up there alone. I think that was bad advice. His presence won't keep me from slipping. I'm less at ease than he is because I haven't been on a roof in many months. If I'm to get much done the first day, I think I'd better go up there to start getting the feel of it again.

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Choreboy 20 years ago

Do I need hired labor for five squares? It looks like a rainless week coming up.

If I can bring the shingles off whole as John recommends, why not toss them past the bushes?

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ooh arr 20 years ago

Don't you think you're getting a bit old for this roofing lark "Choreboy"?

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