DIY Home Building - Common Roofing Questions

Since roofs are made from all different types of materials, there are material specific questions that come up more than any other types of question. Coming up with the ten most common questions was not easy. But we did it. Read on to find out what types of roofs are being asked the most questions about.

1. When should I worry about getting a new roof?
While water pouring on your head is a sure enough sign, no one should wait until this happens. If your roof is 6-10 years old you may want to have it checked by an expert. They can tell you if your roof is on its last legs.

2. What are the indicators that your roof is going bad?
The number one indicator is age. The older the material the more it will have broken down. With shingles it is seen as bald patches, this is where the granules have come off. For roofs made of other composition material look for cracks, buckling, wind damage and discoloration.

3. Why can't I just put the new roof on top of the old one?
While it is done, it is not the best way to handle the task. If you never remove the old material you do not get a good look at the sheathing. This could be damaged and in need of repair. If you do go this route, be sure to use a different tab shingle from the old ones.

4. Can I install the roof without professional help?
Roofing is not for the very novice roofer. It is best to have an experienced person doing the job with you because roofing is a very dangerous job. The amount you could spend in hospital bills will negate any savings you would have enjoyed.

5. How do I know how many layers of shingles is allowed?
The city or town you live in will have this information. You could consider is the rafter size and pitch of your roof. Most experts say three is a bit much. After the second roofing it would be best to rip off all of the rest of the layers and build from the bottom up.

Being a do-it-yourselfer can be a good thing, but it is important to ask the right questions before you begin any project. The objective of doing it on your own is to save money, doing it right is the only way to be certain that you do not have to spend more to fix a bad job. For more information on how to fix your own roof you can go online.


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Mr. Steele, a metal decking guru, lives in Atlanta, GA with his wife and three children. When not working with construction companies with their steel decking issues, he enjoys spending time with his family of four.