Replacing your own roof
Discussion
Neighbour and I (We are semi detatched, 30s houses, pitched/ hipped/ gable end roof with clay tiles. We think they are original roof (Or at least 60 odd years old if not)
Both need replaced, but we cant really find anyone, and are toying with the idea of doing it oursevles.
He is a part time handyman/ emergency services, ive done a fair bit of DIY down the years.
Looking at some videos on YT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOQxbcZkqxA&pp...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvHJJaMtGI0&pp...
Has me thinking I *could* do it myself,
Anyone ever done this?
Both need replaced, but we cant really find anyone, and are toying with the idea of doing it oursevles.
He is a part time handyman/ emergency services, ive done a fair bit of DIY down the years.
Looking at some videos on YT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOQxbcZkqxA&pp...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvHJJaMtGI0&pp...
Has me thinking I *could* do it myself,
Anyone ever done this?
Yes of course you can!
It is relatively straightforward and it’s not dependent on sleight of hand, like say plastering. Not many special tools either.
Pay for decent scaffolding and make sure you have plenty of time. The thing that may catch you out is the number of things you will find to do once the original roof is off. Masonry repairs, new stack flashings, rotten roof timbers, rotten wall plate timber, additional insulation, perhaps adding a Velux window, etc etc. make sure you allow plenty of time for this bit, oh and nice weather obvs. Make sure you have access to a decent chippy, you might need them once the old roof is off.
Once the scaffolding is up you may well find drafting in a bit of extra help from an experienced roofer is a bit easier. The odd day or half day of experienced help could save you a lot of time in the long run. You and your neighbor can be the enthusiastic laborers for an experienced roofer. There are lots of older lads that might not fancy humping the tiles up the ladder but will do the setting out for you.
It’s quite satisfying, I like roofing.
It is relatively straightforward and it’s not dependent on sleight of hand, like say plastering. Not many special tools either.
Pay for decent scaffolding and make sure you have plenty of time. The thing that may catch you out is the number of things you will find to do once the original roof is off. Masonry repairs, new stack flashings, rotten roof timbers, rotten wall plate timber, additional insulation, perhaps adding a Velux window, etc etc. make sure you allow plenty of time for this bit, oh and nice weather obvs. Make sure you have access to a decent chippy, you might need them once the old roof is off.
Once the scaffolding is up you may well find drafting in a bit of extra help from an experienced roofer is a bit easier. The odd day or half day of experienced help could save you a lot of time in the long run. You and your neighbor can be the enthusiastic laborers for an experienced roofer. There are lots of older lads that might not fancy humping the tiles up the ladder but will do the setting out for you.
It’s quite satisfying, I like roofing.
When I was 15 years old I put the roof on my mums bungalow extension with my stepdad and brother (aged 13). (30 years ago).
As said it’s not rocket science, just lots of physical labour. We bought a petrol sthill saw, just cracked on. My stepdad had a bit of diy knowledge and a mate who was a builder to ask for advice every now and then but I think even as a 15 year old I could have figured most of it out myself.
As said it’s not rocket science, just lots of physical labour. We bought a petrol sthill saw, just cracked on. My stepdad had a bit of diy knowledge and a mate who was a builder to ask for advice every now and then but I think even as a 15 year old I could have figured most of it out myself.
I did my roof a couple of years ago. It was easier than I thought.
The most physical thing will be mortar work on ridge and verge. If you are going for new tiles a winch is a must as climbing a ladder with tiles needs experience and strength. You can sometimes get the company delivering to crane them onto the scaffold which would save a lot of time.
It’s the unexpected that might catch you out like a rotten rafter needing replacement or worse still if you find the ridge board needing work. I you’ve never noticed a leek you should be ok.
Once it’s felted it’s reasonably water tight so don’t think you need to do everything in a guaranteed dry spell. I slept under an entirely bare roof on night which was an interesting experience.
The most physical thing will be mortar work on ridge and verge. If you are going for new tiles a winch is a must as climbing a ladder with tiles needs experience and strength. You can sometimes get the company delivering to crane them onto the scaffold which would save a lot of time.
It’s the unexpected that might catch you out like a rotten rafter needing replacement or worse still if you find the ridge board needing work. I you’ve never noticed a leek you should be ok.
Once it’s felted it’s reasonably water tight so don’t think you need to do everything in a guaranteed dry spell. I slept under an entirely bare roof on night which was an interesting experience.
bigmowley said:
Yes of course you can!
It is relatively straightforward and it’s not dependent on sleight of hand, like say plastering. Not many special tools either.
Pay for decent scaffolding and make sure you have plenty of time. The thing that may catch you out is the number of things you will find to do once the original roof is off. Masonry repairs, new stack flashings, rotten roof timbers, rotten wall plate timber, additional insulation, perhaps adding a Velux window, etc etc. make sure you allow plenty of time for this bit, oh and nice weather obvs. Make sure you have access to a decent chippy, you might need them once the old roof is off.
Once the scaffolding is up you may well find drafting in a bit of extra help from an experienced roofer is a bit easier. The odd day or half day of experienced help could save you a lot of time in the long run. You and your neighbor can be the enthusiastic laborers for an experienced roofer. There are lots of older lads that might not fancy humping the tiles up the ladder but will do the setting out for you.
It’s quite satisfying, I like roofing.
This is bang on ………..It is relatively straightforward and it’s not dependent on sleight of hand, like say plastering. Not many special tools either.
Pay for decent scaffolding and make sure you have plenty of time. The thing that may catch you out is the number of things you will find to do once the original roof is off. Masonry repairs, new stack flashings, rotten roof timbers, rotten wall plate timber, additional insulation, perhaps adding a Velux window, etc etc. make sure you allow plenty of time for this bit, oh and nice weather obvs. Make sure you have access to a decent chippy, you might need them once the old roof is off.
Once the scaffolding is up you may well find drafting in a bit of extra help from an experienced roofer is a bit easier. The odd day or half day of experienced help could save you a lot of time in the long run. You and your neighbor can be the enthusiastic laborers for an experienced roofer. There are lots of older lads that might not fancy humping the tiles up the ladder but will do the setting out for you.
It’s quite satisfying, I like roofing.
dickymint said:
Don't forget to factor in the extra insulation required as it will have to conform to current Building Regs.........not cheap !!
With the roof off, adding insulation at ceiling level will be pretty simple and really not that expensive, but will be necessary to comply with Building Regulations (you'll need to submit an application to your local authority/approved inspector).As others have said, it's perfectly possible to replace a roof yourself, the issue will be time - a pro team will strip the existing and get new membrane and battens on before you've watched a few instructional videos on Youtube and scratched your head a few times
Unless you can wait for a good weather window and then go flat out without interruption then you will probably want a tin hat on the scaffold, which will add significant cost, but it WILL take you much longer than the pros. The complex parts will be the junctions and lead flashings etc, which will not be easy for an amateur to get right first time.
Chumley.mouse said:
dickymint said:
Don't forget to factor in the extra insulation required as it will have to conform to current Building Regs.........not cheap !!
Why has replacing your roof covering ( tiles/slates ). Got anything to do with insulation ?Edited by Cow Corner on Thursday 26th December 12:52
Chumley.mouse said:
dickymint said:
Don't forget to factor in the extra insulation required as it will have to conform to current Building Regs.........not cheap !!
Why has replacing your roof covering ( tiles/slates ). Got anything to do with insulation ?Edited by TA14 on Thursday 26th December 12:55
Frankychops said:
Just replace less than 25% at a time. It’s such a grey area. They don’t even know how to or what makes up the rules
It's really not a grey area at all.Why would you go to all the trouble of replacing your roof and not add some additional insulation (while you have easy access) just for the sake of a few quid?
Chumley.mouse said:
dickymint said:
Don't forget to factor in the extra insulation required as it will have to conform to current Building Regs.........not cheap !!
Why has replacing your roof covering ( tiles/slates ). Got anything to do with insulation ?Just a quick google............
https://www.total-contractor.co.uk/upgrading-domes...
Edited by dickymint on Thursday 26th December 13:09
Chumley.mouse said:
Who’s to say the op doesn’t already have the correct ( current) amount of loft insulation installed ?
1) It wont be.Edited by Chumley.mouse on Thursday 26th December 12:59
2) The building inspector.
Of course you can just ignore BR and crack on............at your risk which would cost even more to get it to conform.
trickywoo said:
I did my roof a couple of years ago. It was easier than I thought.
The most physical thing will be mortar work on ridge and verge.If you are going for new tiles a winch is a must as climbing a ladder with tiles needs experience and strength. You can sometimes get the company delivering to crane them onto the scaffold which would save a lot of time.
It’s the unexpected that might catch you out like a rotten rafter needing replacement or worse still if you find the ridge board needing work. I you’ve never noticed a leek you should be ok.
Once it’s felted it’s reasonably water tight so don’t think you need to do everything in a guaranteed dry spell. I slept under an entirely bare roof on night which was an interesting experience.
Go for mechanical fixings, no mess and no chance of ridge tiles coming off in strong windsThe most physical thing will be mortar work on ridge and verge.If you are going for new tiles a winch is a must as climbing a ladder with tiles needs experience and strength. You can sometimes get the company delivering to crane them onto the scaffold which would save a lot of time.
It’s the unexpected that might catch you out like a rotten rafter needing replacement or worse still if you find the ridge board needing work. I you’ve never noticed a leek you should be ok.
Once it’s felted it’s reasonably water tight so don’t think you need to do everything in a guaranteed dry spell. I slept under an entirely bare roof on night which was an interesting experience.
dickymint said:
1) It wont be.
2) The building inspector.
Of course you can just ignore BR and crack on............at your risk which would cost even more to get it to conform.
Ive seen hundreds of roofs being retiled ( residential) on my travels and the only ones that I’ve seen having any insulation added are the council/ housing association ones…….and half of that usually ends up in the skip. 2) The building inspector.
Of course you can just ignore BR and crack on............at your risk which would cost even more to get it to conform.
1 how do you know it wont be ?
2 will the building inspector go in the loft and check properly?
Or of couse you could just crack on with zero risk of anybody ever mentioning it again ?
Chumley.mouse said:
dickymint said:
1) It wont be.
2) The building inspector.
Of course you can just ignore BR and crack on............at your risk which would cost even more to get it to conform.
Ive seen hundreds of roofs being retiled ( residential) on my travels and the only ones that I’ve seen having any insulation added are the council/ housing association ones…….and half of that usually ends up in the skip. 2) The building inspector.
Of course you can just ignore BR and crack on............at your risk which would cost even more to get it to conform.
1 how do you know it wont be ?
2 will the building inspector go in the loft and check properly?
Or of couse you could just crack on with zero risk of anybody ever mentioning it again ?
2. Yes he will.
I doubt if you've any idea what is going on behind the scenes with any of the 'hundreds of roofs" that you've seen on your travels.
OP all I'm trying to do is make you aware of what ought to be factored in. Councils have a nasty habit of seeing what's going on in their area - retrospective work can be quite costly.
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