Do it yourself roofing is becoming more and
more popular as people discover just how easy
it is to resurface their own roof. While roofing
was once thought to be a job best left to professionals,
today's era of do it yourself seminars in big
box hardware stores has taken some of the mystique
out of roofing. With the right tools, materials,
and safety equipment, almost any do it yourselfer
can redo their own roof and save hundreds of
dollars in labour costs.
Roofing tools
The types of roofing tools necessary for a roofing
project will vary based on what type of material
you are using. If your home has asphalt shingles,
all that is required for installation is a hammer,
but you will need other tools and equipment to
remove the old roof. These can include a hatchet,
a pry bar and magnetic sweeper to remove and
pick up lost nails, and a shingle ripper to remove
worn out shingles without damaging those surrounding
them. If you are replacing a wood shingled roof,
you may also need a tear off fork. Ceramic tile
roofs will also require a tile nipper and cutter
to ensure your tiles are the right size for the
roof.
Additional roofing tools for all types of roofing
may include roof brackets. These handy brackets
attach to your roof so that you can create a
stable 2 by 6 or 2 by 12 work scaffold, which
is especially useful on steep roofs.
Roofing safety basics
If
you are planning to roof your own house you
should be aware of several roofing safety tips.
First, you should try not to work alone – having
a helper not only ensures that someone can call
for help in the event of an accident but can
also save you trips up and down the ladder. Second,
you should wear shoes or boots that have a good
grip to prevent slipping. And finally you should
avoid working on the roof in bad weather; rain
can make the surface slippery, and you may also
be at increased risk of a lightning strike.
Is DIY roofing for you?
Not everyone has what it takes to tackle a DIY
roofing project. If you have a fear of heights
or vertigo you should definitely avoid roofing
projects. Roofing is also hard work, so people
with physical infirmities should also avoid do
it yourself roofing.
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