Shingling your own home means doing everything from the underlayment to the final ridge cap. Here are some tips to help you get through this process.
Table of Contents
Gather Your Tools
Start by getting:
- Work gloves
- Utility knife
- Tin snips
- Straightedge razor
- Stapler
You also might want scaffolding, a nailer, a roof harness, an extension ladder, a circular saw, a chalk line, a caulk gun, an air hose, and an air compressor.
See What You Are Working With
Roofing is one of the hardest home repairs you will undertake. You cannot hide from the sun. You are going to be high up and you need some muscle to get the job done. Before committing to this project, get out your ladder and climb onto your roof. If you can’t comfortably walk around, you should hire a pro. If you pass the first test, go to the hardware store and throw a bundle of shingles over your shoulder. If you can see yourself climbing up a ladder with that, you will be fine. Make sure you consult professionals to make sure you are using high quality products like IKO roofing products so you can be confident you aren’t going to have equipment failures.
Stick the Underlayment To the Plywood
Follow the guidelines on your underlayment package regarding overlap. Otherwise, water can leak under your roof and into your home. Things like ice on your roof and strong winds increase your chances of water getting under your shingles. Sticking on your underlayment can help prevent this. It also seals around nails, which prevents water from leaking through nail holes.
Overlap At the Ridge
Run your IKO shingles up one side and over the ridge. Do the same thing on the other side.
Before you put your ladder away, brush off the debris from your project. Seal up any cracks or imperfections you find. Don’t use silicone or asphalt-based sealers. These don’t last very long. Instead, opt for glue that lasts a long time. Now that you’re finished, don’t forget to check your roof every few years. A little maintenance can save you the cost of replacing it sooner than you have to.