Can I Roof My Own House?

Can I Roof It Myself?

Alright, gather ’round folks, let me tell ya a little story about the art of roofin’ – something I reckon you’ve seen from the ground lookin’ up, thinkin’, “Shoot, that doesn’t look too hard. Bet I could handle that myself.”

Now, hold your horses before you go climbin’ up there with a hammer in one hand and a shingle in the other. You’ve likely been watchin’ the pros at work, those folks who make it look as easy as pie because they’ve been at it day in and day out for more years than you’ve got fingers and toes.

Seasoned Roofers Know Best

These seasoned roofers in midland, they’ve got the walk of a cat on those slopes, armed to the teeth with all the right tools, knowledge of the best materials, and the know-how to lay down any type of roof you can think of, all safe and sound like. Steppin’ foot on a roof ain’t no walk in the park. It’s risky business. So, before you go playin’ roofer, maybe have a chat with the local roofin’ outfits, compare the cost of lettin’ them handle the heavy liftin’ to takin’ on the job yourself. Might just save you a world of trouble. But hey, if your heart’s set on DIY, who am I to stop ya?

Roofing is Expensive

Now, if you’re serious about wearin’ the roofer’s hat, let’s chew over a few things. Roofin’ ain’t cheap, so you’ll wanna do it right the first go-round. Sketch out a detailed plan, step by step, on how you’re gonna tackle this beast, keepin’ it above board and safe. Don’t forget to check those local buildin’ codes and snatch up your roofin’ permit before you start. Wouldn’t want the code enforcers comin’ down on ya like a ton of bricks for not havin’ your ducks in a row.

What’s goin’ on top of the old homestead? Asphalt shingles, metal, slate, or maybe wood shake? Pick your poison, but make sure you’ve got the chops to handle it. Then, get out your calculator and figure out how much material you’ll need, and have it delivered right to your job site. Most places will haul it over for a small fee, maybe even for free, savin’ you a backache and a heap of time.

Start with a Clean Roof Deck

If you’re startin’ with a clean slate, no old shingles to fuss over, then you’re golden. Otherwise, you gotta strip off the old before you can roll out the new. Clean up the deck, yank out any old nails, and strip off the worn-out flashing.

Next up, slap on some new flashing, valley metal, and pick out a good underlayment – don’t skimp on research here, pick the right one for your project. Snap some chalk lines to guide your shingle layout, then get down to the nitty-gritty of installin’. Cover the field with shingles, cap off the ridge, and seal those nail heads with a dab of roofin’ cement. Once you’ve played your last card, clean up the mess, sweep the site with a magnet to catch any stray nails, and take a step back to admire your handiwork. Pat yourself on the back, you’ve earned it. Well done, you old roofer, you.

Roof Tile Repair

 Roof Tile Repair

Tile roofs are not exempt from the elements of the weather or other events that might damage your roof. Limbs often blow off during storms doing damage to roofs. And though clay or concrete tiles are among the toughest and most durable of all roofing materials they still can get broken or cracked deeming it necessary to repair. You can repair the damaged tiles yourself but I wouldn’t expect it to be a cake walk. For the most part, you should contact a local roofing company to help you.

Cracked Roofing Tiles

Repairing a cracked tile on your roof may not be as easy as you might think. But it can be done if you use caution and have patience. Unlike an asphalt shingle that is nailed to a solid decking that you can walk on, clay or concrete tiles cannot be walked on.

Clay tiles cannot support your weight, and therefore as a rule of thumb, should never be walked on. You could break or crack more tiles if you try to walk on them. If you cannot reach the tile you want to repair from a ladder leaning against the roof then you will have to use another ladder to lay down on the roof using rubber supports between the ladder and the clay tiles.

Extreme caution should be used putting the ladder on the tile roof. Having someone to help you with the repairs is always a good idea. Lifting a ladder onto a roof can be a strenuous job for one person. It’s always a good idea having someone with you when you are having to work on top of the roof. By laying the ladder across the clay or concrete tiles your weight will be dispersed evenly. If you don’t have the confidence that you are able to safely do the repairs then by all means call a qualified roofer or handyman. Safety is always first. Tile roof repair is challenging at best, so make sure you have the right replacement tiles, the right tools, and the right repair product before you ever begin.

Most homeowners have a few extra tiles stuck away in their garage for just this occasion. If you don’t have extra tiles make sure the ones you replace the broken ones with are the exact same ones as those being repaired. Use a pry bar to remove the old broken tile but be easy, take care not to break other tiles around the one you’re removing. Carefully remove the broken tile and slot in a new one. When moving across the tile roof use the same upmost caution not to put too much weight on any one tile, or tiles.

Any tile that is broken should be replaced with a new tile. Tiles that are cracked “should” also be replaced. While you are on the roof now is the best time to repair them. Yes, you can glue them or silicone the crack or broken edge but it will always be “a repair” that will have to be addressed later. So why not do it now?

Happy reparations.

Lead Boots: Pipe Boots Rubber vs Lead

Pipe Boots

Where can I get the best boots? I hear Texas has the best selection. But I’m not sure what boot is right for me though. I know I want the best boots I can get. And I also know I want boots that are durable and will last.  They will need to be able to hold up in all kind weather…  you know; rain, snow, heat and cold. I ‘m aware that some boots can be expensive, but then, I don’t want to have to pay too much for them either. I guess the main thing is that I don’t want them to end up on “Boot Hill” too soon because they were any good. On yeah, did I mention we’re talking about boots for pipes that extend through the roofs of houses?

There are generally two types of pipe boots that are used in the roofing industry today, lead and rubber or plastic. Pipe boots are important because they keep water from entering a structure from around pipes on the roof. Their sole purpose is to keep water from entering down around the pipes. They are a type of flashing to seal out the water.

“Plastic or rubber boots” are less costly than the lead boot and will not last as long. Plastic boots can become brittle over time especially in areas where there is a wide range in temperature. The expanding and contracting of the plastic due to the changes in weather can cause the plastic base to curl and cause the nails holding it in place to be pulled out. The rubber seal that fits snugly around the pipe is always the concern for the 3n1 pipe boot. They will on average have to be replaced about every 10 years. So though they might be less expensive they will not have the life span that the lead boot has.

“Lead boots” on the other hand are more expensive than its plastic counterpart. The lead boot is solid lead and slides down over the exhaust pipe and then the lead is folded over into the top of the pipe. Lead pipe boots though more expensive than plastic pipe boots will last much longer. Most lead pipe boots will outlast an asphalt shingled roof. One of the concerns of lead boots are squirrels. Squirrels teeth are always growing so they always looking for something to gnaw on. The soft metal chew seems to meet their need keep their teeth healthy.

Before you make your decision you might want to check with a roofing professional. They should be able to share a wealth of knowledge on the topic with you. But, whether you choose one or the other they both have their upside and their downside. Kind of like coffee… leaded or regular?

So which is better, the rubber or lead boot? Well that’s up to you cowboy.