It’s always good to know how to do things personally and this extends to even roofing; DIY is an acronym that stands for DO IT YOURSELF, which mean handling a project yourself no matter how difficult it is or may seem. However, when it comes to roofing, DIY has a lot of things to be considered before deciding to embark on the challenge. Below are questions one needs to ask his/her self before deciding to try DIY on roofing.
Self-Evaluation
This is pertinent question to ask because a lot of people DIY in roofing is just nailing a nail into the wall; it is mistaken to be a very simple step while it is not because a properly installed roof is just a complex system which comprises of components working together in other to keep water away from your home.
Make a plan
We all know planning a roofing project involves permits, materials, ventilation, waste disposal, and more. This also applies to DIY. Every building code vary, it all depends on where you live, so any roofing project you undertake ought to comply with building codes applicable to the jurisdiction within your environment. Some areas of many countries have region-specific building codes of compliance.
Learn roofing safety
Before embarking on a DIY project, it’s very pertinent one at least get to know the basic roofing safety. This is because whenever it comes to installing a roof; safety should always be the primary concern at all times. Thus, not willing to learn the safety involved in roofing is a sign a silly accident might likely happen during the roofing process. According to local roofers, when it comes to safety roofing, ignorance is not an excuse for a silly accident that would have been prevented.
Where to buy materials
This is another factor. Knowing what material is needed in roofing is always the job of a professional, but hey, who said one couldn’t inquire?? Knowing the tools needed and where to get them is also a factor to put into consideration whenever you decide to embark on DIY roofing.
Doing the Job
For a person trying DIY for the first time, it’s very important to have guidance to follow steps to take while fixing the flat roofs. These steps could be gotten from professional advice, or a manual handbook that’s so concise and easily relatable.
The above are things you have to think through because, from it, one gets to know if they are truly ready and equipped to carry out DIY flat fixing all by him/her. If, after accessing yourself and you are good to go, below is a quick guide to follow to achieve the best personally done roofing project.
Guide on How to Perform a DIY Flat Roof Repair
Clean the roof first
Before commencing any kind of repair, the first foremost important thing you ought to do is to check whether the gutter has debris that prevents water from draining properly, because by nature, flat roofs do not drain as effectively as pitched roofs and for this reason, it’s pertinent to make sure that drainage is adequate.
If the case there is puddle water, dry it with towels or rags, then next is to leave it to dry completely. Secondly, ensure to remove any debris so you can be able to spot the sources of leaks easily. Ensure to mark off the leaky areas with chalk so that those affected areas can be easily spotted and fixed.
Repair the roof seams
It’s always advisable to pay close attention to EPDM roofing seams; this is because they weaken over time and this causes leaks, thus building up water and dirt. Once done cleaning the seams, next is to separate the leaking seam about 12 inches from the leak followed by applying your adhesives.
Always use a soft brush (paintbrush) to distribute the adhesive to the upper and lower parts of the seams, the corners inclusive. Once done applying the adhesive, ensure you press the seams together, there should never be air bubbles present. Mind you, avoid repairing the seams during windy days because during this period will prevent the seams from adhering together.
Patch flat roof blisters
Blistering is very common among flat roof materials. In roof blisters, moisture or air tends to accumulate beneath the flat roof’s membrane. Then when these are Exposure to heat from the sun, these trapped bubbles expand and break over time. Note that blisters can still cause problems regardless of whether they break or not.
Hence to prevent blisters from growing bigger, you slice them open in the middle using a utility knife; it should go all the way through the blister. If then, there is water inside the blister, then squeeze out the water towards the center and let it dry. Lastly, to seal off the opened blister permanently, you patch it up with a thick coating of roofing cement.
Re-coat the flat roof
Once done repairing blisters and cleaning the roof, the next step is to re-coat your roof. Re-coating is the best option since it provides a water-proof barrier to the roof, keeps the interior cooler (because it reflects heat from the sun), and reduces your cooling and heating costs.
Since we now know the process of handling DIY roofing, next is the list of tools needed to carry out the above exercise.
List of materials needed in DIY flat roofing
- Hammer/Nail Gun
- Utility Knife
- Ladder/Scaffolding
- Nails
- Crowbar
- Flat
- or Scraper Shovel
- Sealant or Caulk
- Plywood
- Tarp
- Chalk line
- Flashing
- Asphalt Shingles
- Under-layment
- Ice Shield
- Drip Edge
- Venting System
In conclusion, some lots more resources and tips will help you get started for do-it-yourself roofing projects. We hope the above point serves as a guideline to help you with your project. To hire a professional or to inquire more about roofing, call us anytime (360) 448-5925
