House Side
After a great deal of work getting the shed ready for the roofing, I was ready to get this portion of work over with. Of all of the stages of construction, roofing is the one stage that I lack a good amount of experience. While the rest of the project reminded me of building with Legos, the roof was more like building with playing cards. I still need to cover the back side’s top half, but first I need to find a way to transport some sheeting from Home Depot, 30 miles to my home, without placing it on the roof of my car.
Landing Covered with Rubber Roofing
After covering the side of the roof which faces my home, I switched gears and materials. The flat landing on the roof requires a bit of creative construction, and after asking many questions, I’ve decided that rubber roofing would be the best material for this flat spot.
I had to plan ahead here when considering how the water would flow from one material to the other. In the places where the peaks were higher then the rubber material, I needed to make sure the tar paper would overlap the rubber. The same rule would apply where the tar paper was lower then the rubber, and so would need to go underneath. The trickest parts were located in the transitions would one material would be higher at one point, and lower at another. This occured in four places, where the flat portion met the peak portion (look where the tar paper meets the rubber beside the uncovered portion of the roof).
Half Way
By the end of the night Friday, I had covered half of the roof, and after a few visitors Saturday morning, it was time to get back to work. The tool I was using to secure the staples resembles a hammer, and that’s primarily how it’s used. You slam the head of the stapler into the material which should be held in place. The staple gun uses the force to deliver one staple up to 1/2 inch deep into the material below. Needless to say, when you go through two rows of staples every few minutes, it makes a lot of noise.
Far Side After Rain
By Sunday morning I had the roof covered, and that saved me from disturbing all my Amish neighbors on their day of rest. It was raining, so I took some time to inspect my work and ensure there were no leaks.
Drip Edge
During the rain, the drip edge was functioning as it’s name implies. If I decide to place gutters on this shed, the drip edge will help the rain land in the gutter, rather then run behind it.
Flat Spot Holding Rain
I even climbed up to the top to inspect my flat rubber roofing. I was quite pleased to see water poling a bit, rather then leaking through.
All in all, If I had to grade this roof as a teacher would grade homework, I’d probably give myself a B-. Why wouldn’t I earn an A ? See that hole in the rubber roofing ? I forgot to build a cover for it, so rain still hits the floor below.
Now I just need to find some financing for shingles…..
