I need a roof....

[Jim Oaks]

I knew when I got this house the inspector said it would need a roof soon. I've been picking up pieces of shingles in the yard, and I can tell looking up at the roof that the cap of it needs replaced.

I thought I would have to tear the old one off due to too many layers of shingles, but I just looked at it and it looks like it's just a single layer.

Also, I have a brick missing at the top of my chimney, and should probably fix it so I don't have someone walking around on my new shingles.

When I was a kid, I helped my dad put new shingles on over the old ones. I don't remember much about it, except that I think I was just giving him the shingles to nail down.

A big problem for me as that the older I've gotten, the more I'm afraid of heights.

So, anyone here paid to have shingles put on, or put shingles on, to give me some advice on how much to expect to pay someone, or pointers if I did it myself??

Here's some pics. You can see where there is a brick missing in the last one.

 

[adsm08]

or pointers if I did it myself??

Pointy end of the nail goes down.

 

[Sunk]

You should able to recover at least once. Well you probably could as many times as you like, but I don't know that I'd go more than once or twice. It's not terribly hard, especially if you have a square house, and it looks like at least one side is. It can be tiring though.

Cost varies greatly by area, a guy I know paid $900 to have his roof recovered by "some guy" and that was a good deal, not including material.

The brick should be pretty easy, just chisel out the out old one and slide a new one in place then mortar or caulk. Or from the looks of it, you might be able to patch what's left.

 

[4x4junkie]

You should able to recover at least once. Well you probably could as many times as you like, but I don't know that I'd go more than once or twice.

I seem to recall building code stating 3 layers max (due to weight). I don't recall if maybe it's state or county or what though, so it might vary from area to area.

It's been awhile since I've done any reshingling of a roof, however I remember it being more tedious than difficult. Pro roofers do get a lot of $$$ for their work though, this I do know.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I need to find the proper way of measuring the roof and figuring out how many bundles of shingles I need. When I get near the edges and start freaking out over the height, I'll just have to remind myself how much it would cost to have a company do it.

 

[brinker88]

IMHO, I would stip it down to the plywood and start from scratch. Remember to lay down felt paper and nail it with those special nails with the large plastic head.

I would personally use architectural shingles for the immensely easy installation and price.

Dont forget to get new roof caps and its a good idea to replace any damaged flashing or rotted plywood at that time.

 

[Will]

Roofing is easy, but it's a bastard. In my experience leaks come from flashing failures. Your plywood up there is waterproof and a lot of shingles can be bad before it matters. That plywood is also cheap and easy to replace. Just because it looks worn and you are finding shingles in the yard doesn't mean it's time to get excited about the roof. Crawl around up in the attic space and see what it looks like.

 

[Jim Oaks]

The last time I was in the attic it looked good. You can tell the cap needs replaced just by looking up at it from the yard.

I guess it's time to start reading articles and watching youtube videos.

 

[b2rich]

My brother paid 16,000 2 years ago. That included new sheeting, gutters, and 50 yr shingles.
But hey, it's California. Where every thing is expensive.

 

[brinker88]

I paid $400 for my shingles. Enough to do a 2 story, 3 bedroom house. Labor was free (me).

FWIW, it's 100x easier with air tools. You can rent them at most tool rental supply stores.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Strip it, don't go over the old.

 

[triumphrider-1]

I paid $400 for my shingles. Enough to do a 2 story, 3 bedroom house. Labor was free (me).

FWIW, it's 100x easier with air tools. You can rent them at most tool rental supply stores.

This. X10


Around here roofers charge per square and add a little to it for a lot of valleys, steep pitch (8/12 up), etc. If you can find a roofer that does it on the side to make extra cash, they usually do it a little cheaper than the full crew would charge.

 

[Jim Oaks]

What's wrong with going over the old shingles?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

To me its like putting paint over rust....

If you're gonna do a roof, take it down to the sheathing so you can check it all over, roll out new paper and re roof.

Not to mention is also makes any warranty the shingles have void if you go over the old roof with em.

 

[Jim Oaks]

My gawd, it would take me a week to do all that by myself.

Might have to buy some beer and pizza, put it on the roof, and call a couple friends.