How do install roofing materials to my flat roof?
+5
my flat roof is leaking and I need to replace the shingles that were previously installed. I was told that I should replace the shingles with the rolled roofing material. How do we install it to my flat roof? I need step by step instruction. Thank you.
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Remove the shingles! They can be scraped off with what looks like a garden hoe, but it's straight with the handle, not bent.
Shingles are made for a pitched or steeper roof. Check for any damage to the under wood roof deck that may need replaced. Replace as needed. A weak roof will not last if badly damaged or rotted from being wet.
Next look for any obvious leakes. Seal with tar or a paint on roof sealer. I like to put down L shaped metal flashing on all the edges. Use tar or mastic to seal it like glueing in place. You can staple it to help hold it. Now cut strips of rolled roofing to fit. Put down using tar or tubes of sealer made for rolled roofing. Again this can also be stapled in place making sure staples are into the mastic so the tiny holes are sealed. Overlap each row onto the previous row 2 or 3 inches and seal it well along both long edges and the ends. Sealing as you go. If the strips of roofing don't always go full length of a row you can seal and overlap the ends and it's still just fine.
Sealing generously is worthwhile.
60 years ago you had to use tarpaper. Then cover it with hot melted tar and scatter course sand and gravel on the tar. Repairs involved melting tar. Hot, sticky, messy... But it worked. Rolled roofing was a big improvement. Sealing it well is still the secret to being a leak proof roof for years to come.
Shingles on a flat roof let water puddle under the shingles. Eventually that leaks and damages the roof structure. Rolled roofing doesn't look impressive but it gets sealed all around as its being installed. That protects your structure.
Several ways. Several products.
https://www.doityourself.com/stry/5-flat-roof-systems-to-consider
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9htc44RqeIQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wJzoJ6julY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR3pxhvOh9w
Thank you, William.
It's simple but a lot of work. At 72 I no longer fix my roof or build homes and churches to help others. Living in New Mexico for the last 42 years I've helped repair several flat roofs.
Good luck.
I wish I have kindhearted people like you to help me out in my house repairs. I live in California and everything here are expensive especially for retirees like me. At least now I know what has to be done so I am not in the dark when I hire handymen to do the work. Thank you again for the pointers.