For questions regarding the roof of a home or other structure in general, including roofing types, installation, maintenance and repair, upgrades, venting, and potential problems.
4
votes
2answers
461 views
Do I run screws through the “tops” or through the “bottoms” of the corrugated steel in roofing?
Suppose I want to cover a roof with corrugated steel sheets. Imagine a sheet laying on the roof. It will have "tops" - zones that are further from the roof surface and "bottoms" - zones that are ...
3
votes
2answers
359 views
Can you use plywood as roofing?
I've seen buildings where plywood was used as both wall sheathing and siding. T-111 is commonly used this way, for example.
Would it work to do the same thing on a roof?
I assume it wouldn't last ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views
Is installing a gable fan worth the investment?
We have 2 gable vents in our roof (approx 2' high or so), one at either end, and upon inspection it does not appear that there is really enough overhang in the roof for soffits. I still have to ...
1
vote
1answer
406 views
What could cause water to not go into the gutters?
I recently installed vinyl gutters around the roof of my house, but after the first rain I discovered that the gutter doesn't seem to be catching a lot of the water. Much of the water seems to be ...
1
vote
1answer
205 views
Mould on the inside of a bitumen corrugated sheet
Attached to the end of our house is a small shed. It has four (newly built) brick walls and a bitumen corrugated sheet roof. The shed was finished about eight months ago and is fairly waterproof. ...
2
votes
3answers
269 views
How do you calculate if it's worth it to insulate?
We live just north of NYC, and the house was built in 1906. We're putting on a new roof and trying to figure out if it's worth it to insulate too. It's a cathedral ceiling on the inside, and we do ...
3
votes
2answers
181 views
Roof stone tiles. How to fasten them?
I am watching a TV program where they are restoring a ruin into a cottage. One thing that left me aghast is the fact that the roof was made with flat, very heavy stone tiles. Ater they rebuild the ...
4
votes
2answers
605 views
How do you install zinc strips in a roof without creating leaks?
This article gives instructions for installing zinc strips at the ridgeline to inhibit moss.
This picture shows nails through the zinc strip:
It looks like they have nailed through the zinc in to ...
4
votes
4answers
459 views
Is it possible to collect rain water from a roof for drinking use?
For a re-roofing or new build, I was pondering the possibility of capturing and purifying water for drinking use. Are there good examples of this? What roofing materials should be used or avoided?
...
6
votes
3answers
465 views
Is translucent fiberglass roof cooler or hotter than opaque roof
We are building a roof over garden table: sort of like a pergola with roofing. We are using OSB panels for insulation and fiberglass roofing sheets for weather protection. We already chose translucent ...
2
votes
1answer
522 views
Do I need soffit vents for my knee wall attic?
I purchased a 55 year old home that has no soffit vents. The attic space consists of a knee wall attic space and peak attic space. The peak attic space has vents at each end and a ridge vent at the ...
3
votes
1answer
105 views
What do I need to do to finish a roof with exposed rafters on a shed
I have a shed as pictured that had never been finished completely. As such the shed has a lot of dust debris, etc getting in that should not be. What do I need to do to finish the shed. Should I be ...
0
votes
1answer
185 views
Coordinating colors of brick and roof [closed]
What colour siding, troughs, chingles, & soffit to match with existing white garage and a light colour brown brick?????? We are changing them due to water leakage. We have know idea what to Make ...
7
votes
2answers
220 views
Wind Mitigation
I live in Jacksonville, FL and my insurance premium went up by about $500/yr. I was told that the biggest reason was because my house isn't up to current code for hurricane/wind mitigation. I'm a ...
4
votes
2answers
490 views
What are some good downspout options for a brick house?
I need to replace the gutters and downspouts on my house, and I'd like to know the best approach.
The house is 100 year-old clay brick house. The old gutters were aluminum and used downspouts that ...
2
votes
1answer
162 views
How do we keep a porch with a fiberglass roof cool?
We have a clear fiberglass roof on our enclosed porch. We just recently put it in. Sun pounds in and by afternoon in the summer, it is SO hot in there. We used to just open the windows and it would ...
5
votes
2answers
465 views
What kind of vent is pictured here and what are its uses?
While my roof was being replaced, I requested that they install two roof vents. One for laundry and one for bathroom fan. They installed two of these. I just tried connecting the bathroom fan to this ...
1
vote
0answers
138 views
Can I repair damage caused by a roof leak myself? [closed]
To fix the exterrior wall, inside the wall and interrior wall can I have friends who are builders help me or do I have to go with a contractor? Also do I need a building permit for this. I had my ...
5
votes
3answers
943 views
Mild water damage on drywall from leaky roof
We have a fairly new house (built in 1997). Cheap roof and we had a big windstorm a few years back that resulted in some lost shingles that I had patched -- no major problems. Recently we had a much ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
How can I lengthen my vent stack and are there any negative effects in doing so?
I have observed that when we receive a lot of snow here in Ontario, at least one of the drain vents on my roof is covered by snow. While after one winter in the house I have not yet observed any ...
2
votes
1answer
90 views
How do I install roofing material on a roof with a ridge vent?
I am helping a friend repair his roof; his roof has a roof vent at the peak of the roof. I've done a few roofs, but never with a roof vent. So any help in how you roof with a roof vent? I assume ...
2
votes
2answers
465 views
Why am I getting a lot of condensation in new shed?
I just got a new shed built with concrete blocks and a metal roof last month and thing is dripping with condensation from the roof. There is absolutely no insulation in the shed.
How would I get rid ...
1
vote
2answers
191 views
How can I find the source of a leak?
We have a lead lined, concave roof on a bay window. The roof itself has a small drain.
Inside the house, below the bay window we have a small leak that occasionaly appears when it rains. I have ...
4
votes
3answers
247 views
How to introduce more run into roof?
I have a 16'x20' deck roof that is attached to my garage on one side and (3) 4"x4" posts on the other side.
The rise over the 16 feet is about 2 inches which is not enough for the water to get off ...
0
votes
1answer
227 views
Where to find glass 'support' requirements?
Where could I go about finding the maximum safe span of a pane of glass for a specific width?
I.e. say you had two rafters, X meters apart, with glazing bars, supporting a pane of toughened glass ...
5
votes
1answer
142 views
How do I fix a leak in this roof?
A few days ago we had a good amount of rain that fell over a 36 hour period. During this time, a leak showed its ugly face. I got up into the attic, found the water stream and traced it back outside ...
5
votes
1answer
297 views
How do I close off attic vents?
First of all, I'm clueless when it comes to DIY so forgive my amateur lingo and general clueless attitude. I'm still learning, be patient with me.
My wife and I bought a house on the sunny island of ...
11
votes
2answers
3k views
How do I use an extension ladder to get onto my roof?
I have a two storey house and need to get onto the roof to apply some heat paint on my furnace exhaust pipe before winter.
It looks about 20-22' from the ground to the edge my eaves, so to be safe I ...
5
votes
1answer
197 views
How can I repair a Palruf roof?
I've installed a couple of transparent Palruf PVC sheets for a treehouse roof. I've gotten some small (several inch) holes in it that I'd like to patch up. I have some small pieces of Palruf left over ...
3
votes
2answers
515 views
Which flat roofing system requires the least maintenance?
I am a board member of my townhouse homeowners association and our townhomes are unfortunately very tall (need a lift or 60 ft ladder to access the roofs) and also the builder made the roof one single ...
3
votes
3answers
417 views
Does a device exist that can help find the source of a leak in a flat roof?
My Dad has a flat roof over his garage. It's covered with tar and felt.
We had an unusually hard and cold winter last year (Republic of Ireland) and since then the roof has developed a leak.
We've ...
3
votes
1answer
325 views
How do I properly install underlayment and a modified bitumen roof on a flat garage roof with concrete walls?
My project is to replace 18'x10' flat roof on my concrete garage. So far I installed 16" oc framing and 3/4" plywood over it. Now I am planning to install some fiberglass based underlayment (#30, ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Do I need soffit vents when I have 2 gable vents and 5 normal peak vents?
We are in southeast Idaho, have a plain simple gable roof on a 1,050 square foot floor house; the roof's pitch is not great, probably 3 or 4/12 but normal for our area.
We have 1 vent at each gable ...
2
votes
1answer
115 views
Can I tear down a roof with a torch? [closed]
Can my friends and I use a torch gas cutter to cut into the roof, and dismantle everything by sections? I imagine there will be some concrete layering underneath and such.
3
votes
1answer
2k views
How do I nail plywood to flat roof framing?
I am putting some 3/4 plywood on top of 2x6 framing joists on my flat garage roof. The framing is spaced 16oc. I figured that I place 4x8 plywood sheets in such way that their short edge will be ...
1
vote
1answer
556 views
How can I modify this dryer vent cap to keep lint from getting trapped?
As mentioned in this question I installed this dryer vent cap on my roof
As you can see, there is a gap between the flashing and the cap, presumably to let water out if it gets in. This is ...
2
votes
1answer
880 views
What are some tips for installing a roof cap?
I am adding bathroom exhaust fans. The roof caps I have attach directly to the duct (this is not the model I have, but it clearly shows how the duct attaches):
I had a lot of trouble trying to get ...
3
votes
2answers
902 views
How do I fix a leaking skylight?
I have a skylight on a shingles roof. I don't know much about the skylight as it was installed by a previous owner, but every year, at the beginning of the rainy season, the skylight leaks. And every ...
2
votes
5answers
7k views
How do I approach new water stains on my ceiling?
I am a brand new home owner with almost no experience with DIY stuff. There was a few days of significant rain and now my wife noticed some stains on our 2nd floor ceiling that we are pretty sure ...
1
vote
1answer
236 views
Are 38mmx72mm roof trusses sufficient for a 6m span?
My roof truss timbers are 38mm x 72mm on 600mm centres with a 6m span. What's that in good old inches?
It seems a little skimpy to me; is this normal for a modern house? I am trying to do a rough ...
2
votes
1answer
4k views
Is it better to vent a bathroom fan out the soffit, the side of the house, or the roof?
Working on a friend's house, we're installing a bathroom fan. He had planned to vent the fan out the closest soffit, which is only a few feet away. I'm trying to persuade him to vent it out the roof ...
9
votes
3answers
198 views
I need to get up on roof anyway, so what should I inspect while I'm up there?
I noticed a filthy tree rat (squirrel) poking its head out from a hole in my gutter leaf guards today. Gotta get up on the roof to clean and repair that mess.
Since I'm two stories up already, what ...
2
votes
1answer
232 views
How can I check for possible damage after water leaking into loft chimney?
I had a loose tile on the roof in front of the chimney breast and noticed that in the loft the internal chimney breast was a bit damp. Since then had it repaired (i.e. the tile tapped down and the ...
5
votes
3answers
254 views
How to plan for the future when installing a new roof?
We're hiring a contractor to take off the existing roof, repair/replace any rotted sheathing and rafters, and install a new roof. We've also asked that they add a new plumbing vent stack for a new ...
3
votes
1answer
787 views
Best way to flash an EPDM rubber roof on a concrete roof deck?
I'm planning to install an EPDM rubber roof on my 1922-built, poured concrete garage. The concrete deck leaks heavily during rainstorms, and it looks like installing an EPDM roof is just within my ...
3
votes
2answers
369 views
How to repair cracks in concrete overhang over entrance
I have a slab of concrete over the front entrance of my house with some serious cracks in it. I don't actually know what the proper name for it is, which makes this difficult to Google - so I've ...
5
votes
2answers
923 views
How to replace facia boards?
What are the essential steps to replacing facia boards without destroying the existing shingle roofing?
3
votes
3answers
297 views
Small amounts of moss on asphalt shingles?
What's the best way to remove moss from asphalt shingles?
6
votes
3answers
562 views
Does this 2x4 support my gable ridge?
I'm installing a floor in my attic. To open up the space and simplify the flooring I'm removing temporary construction bracing. Most of the bracing is easy to identify, since it clearly does not ...
5
votes
2answers
911 views
Bathroom vent terminates to attic not outside.
Bathroom vents terminates to attic. The Inspector recommended that it terminates to the outside. What is the best way to do this. Should I just place the bathroom vent next to the roof vent opening.
...
