Installing new shingles on top of old ones will be a necessity at some point. You need to strengthen your roof to minimize the scope of damage. If your roof has already suffered damages or is quite old, you need to install new shingles as soon as possible. You don’t have to find roofing contractors to install new shingles. Make it a do-it-yourself project if you have had some experience in completing similar tasks in the past.
Installing new shingles on top of a damaged roof can be more problematic. If you are suspecting damages, get in touch with some potential roofing contractors in the locality and cut a deal.
1. First figure out the total number of shingles that you need. Find out the total area of the roof by measuring its length and breadth. Shingles are sold by the square. Each one of the shingles will be about hundred square feet. Remember that you will need at least 10% extra for cutting and unavoidable wasting. For a hundred square feet piece of shingle, you require 2.5 pounds of nails as well.
2. Get rid of damaged shingles before you start strengthening your roof with new ones. A pry bar can be used to pull up all damaged shingles and nails from the roof. If there are more than three layers, get rid of all these layers at once.
3. On some locations, roof sections meet each other at an angle. You need to cover these sections with mineral surface roofing. Also, use an eighteen inch wide trip of flashing attached by some cement and nails if needed.
4. Start installing new shingles one by one. Before you start inserting nails, use a chalk to draw lines. These lines will serve as a guide as you go on installing shingles one after the other. Once you are finished with your starter shingles, use a utility knife. Carefully cut the bottom tabs off. You should always start from the center and work your way out toward the edge of the roof.
5. Cut an appropriate sized square of flashing for chimneys. Once again, apply some mineral surface roofing material and cement here.
Make sure you put on rubber shoes before starting roofing job and leave no loose nails on the roof. This will keep you from falling. Do not start this work when the roof is wet or cold. Also, you should be careful of avoiding contact with power lines around the roof.
Photo via Matt Brett
