Do-it-Yourself Reroofing Instructions

Do-it-Yourself Reroofing

• 1

  Inspect the old roofing material to determine if it needs to be removed. If so, remove it all leaving the wood sheathing beneath intact. Depending on the roofing material and the way it was attached you will need a hammer, pry bar, straight-edged scraper and gloves to protect your hands.

• 2

  Inspect roof structure for any signs of an unsound structure, water spots, rotting wood or sagging rafters. Repair all areas where the structure is damaged. This step is essential because the quality of the roof is dependent upon the underlying structure.

• 3

  Inspect any flashing on the roof. Look for signs of damage through which moisture can come into contact with the structure, gaps, cuts, holes. If any damage is present, repair it if possible by fastening it back place and using caulk, rubber cement or roofing asphalt where necessary. Remove any damaged flashing and replace it by moving from the bottom to the top, overlapping all sections. Bend and cut metal with tin snips to fit around corners. Used roofing nails to secure the flashing.

• 4

  Roll out the roof felt with the first row running parallel with the bottom ledge of the roof. Line up the bottom of the felt with the bottom of the roof leaving the felt to hang a quarter to half inch over the roof. Secure with staples. Overlap each row of felt, from bottom to top, according to the design specifications of the felt manufacturer. Overlap the felt strips on each side of the roof to create a complete water seal of overlapping felt. At the crown of the roof roll one row of felt along the peak.

• 5

  Install the shingles beginning with a starter row of shingles. Isolate the first row of shingles to ensure this row is straight and square. The first row is the foundation row for the rest of that roof section and any imbalances in the first row will effect the following rows.

• 6

  Roll out felt paper in the same way as a shingled roof if reroofing using metal and have removed the old membrane. If re-roofing over a pre-existing membrane, install rows of lath board on top of the old membrane to make sure the new roof membrane is fastened to a flat and even surface.

• 7

  Install the metal roof according to manufacturer specifications. Snap chalk line the length of the roof for a guideline to make sure the first row of metal is installed square to the roof. Take time to square the first sheet of metal as deviations of the first sheet will show through the rest of the row.