roof

Almost two months after starting the process, Ben and Handy Sammy have finished the roof. Whew, that’s a relief. It was a long, hot, sweaty process and I know we’re all thankful to have it behind us. Take a look back at what we started with:

Cedar shakes and an odd solar panel hut which caused the roof to leak. Not a good look. I won’t get into the whole re-roofing process (partly because I don’t know every step of it, fortunately Ben does) but it took a lot of time and effort. Working on the house part was easier, but the eight skylights in the pool room caused a few headaches. For the two larger skylights, Ben and Sammy had to build their own step flashing. Boo to that. So here they are, on their last day of roofing.

In the home stretch, the boys had high spirits, striking Olympic athlete poses in the process.

Back off, ladies. He’s all mine. Haha. But here’s the roof now, looking sleek and finished.

After talking with his roofing supply friend, Ben decided to use Pabco Premier architectural shingles in Pewter Gray.

A new ridge vent allows maximum attic ventilation without ugly vent holes. Not that it matters much, because most of the roof isn’t visible unless you’ve climbed up our back yard…

The house looks sleek and modern. Ben plans to paint the vent pipes to blend with the roof, too.

Next up, digging up the back yard to prepare for new windows and siding. Windows are on order and should arrive in about two weeks. Can’t wait to get that party started.

What projects have you just wrapped up? Something outside, like a roof? Landscaping? Let’s celebrate our newly finished projects.

Ben and Handy Sammy started one of the biggest projects we’ll have to do to this house. Re-roofing the entire house and pool room. Not only is it a hot job, it’s rough. They started with the hardest part, the pool room. Eight sky lights to work around and a system of solar panels (the crazy blue thing on top of the roof) to tear off.

Before and of the tear off could start, we had to get a 30 yard dumpster up the driveway, which sounds easier than it was. You see, our driveway winds up, and getting a large truck up there wasn’t especially easy.

Careful maneuvering made it possible. So now we’ve got this to come home to.

Having it close to the house is a must because we have no other way to get the shakes off the roof. An empty dumpster meant Ben could get started. Leaking solar panels, see ya later.

For a little while, they lived in the dumpster. Then Ben and Sam tore the pieces apart to recycle.

Ready to go.

We knew the pool roof leaked before we made an offer on this house. But the leaks damaged the plywood. Ben had to replace a few sheets before doing anything else.

I guess the roof project isn’t all terrible. Do you see the mountains over the roof line? Not too shabby. After planning his attack method, the boys got to work.

Sheets of tar paper under the shakes made removal quicker. Ben pried up the pieces while Sam rolled it all up into a self-contained shingle burrito.

Time consuming, but they’re making progress. Much more than I would, that’s for darn sure. They’ve finished tear off and weather proofing the pool room.

Just the house left. Oy, that’s still a lot. And that’s why the bathroom is on the back burner. Weatherman is predicting cooler temperatures through the end of the week. I hope he’s right, because that would make this project all the more enjoyable.