Shingle Roofing Tips

Shingling a roof may not be the most pleasant of home improvement activities, but it is fairly easy. There is no need to pay a contractor to do this job. With a little planning, the proper tools and, maybe, some help from a few good friends, most roof jobs can be completed in a single day.

Preparation

Organize to have a dumpster on site. Get the dumpster dropped as close to the house as possible so that you can easily push debris into it from the roof. Lay tarps along the ground surrounding the house to make cleanup simpler. Invest in a couple of roofing shovels to strip off old shingles and tar paper. When the roof is clear, review the area to remove any nails. Knock down those that you cannot remove.

Putting on New Material

Ice and rain shield should be laid along the edges of the roof. Tar paper should be stapled over the other areas prior to laying shingles. If you are having the shingles delivered to the site, ask for rooftop delivery so that you do not have to carry the heavy bundles up a ladder.

Use an air nailer to install the new shingles, beginning at the edge of the roof and working upward. The first course of shingles should be doubled, the first layer being applied upside down. Finish the shingling by capping the peaks. Use cut, three-tab shingles to create the cap pieces.

Safety

Always think safety first when roofing. Use roof jacks and planks for stability if the roof is too steep to walk. Safety harnesses and lines are a good idea, though they may seem cumbersome and in the way. Roofing more slowly is better than a major injury caused by falling.

References

• Shingling Roofs