Roofing discussions and local services.
chess_donald
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: How do you keep your roof from splitting in extreme weather?
Funny, I’ve had almost the same experience with low slope vs. steep roofs. Grew up in a house with a pretty flat roof, and every winter the edges would crack and split, even though we’d just redone the shingles. Where I’...
RE: How I put in a solar attic fan (and what I’d do differently next time)
I get the fear - cutting into structure always feels like tempting fate. But I’ve seen notching work out okay if it’s done right and kept shallow. My uncle’s a stickler for code, and he swears by those metal reinforcemen...
RE: When hail meets metal: a suburban legend
Man, I’ve been there. Thought I could get away with the cheap stuff on my dad’s shed - ended up chasing leaks every spring. The freeze-thaw here just finds any weak spot. Stainless hardware’s pricey, but it’s saved me so...
RE: finally found an underlayment that lasts - what's your experience?
I’ve pulled up a few old peel-and-stick patches on my uncle’s place, and man, that stuff clings like it’s holding a grudge. Didn’t see much rot, but the wood underneath felt a bit “sweaty” compared to the synthetic spots...
RE: How much weight can your roof handle before adding solar tiles?
I totally get where you’re coming from. When my folks put solar tiles on their 60s-era bungalow, they just trusted the installer’s word that the roof could handle it. No engineer, just a quick look in the attic. It worke...
RE: Did you know Tamko started out making roofing in a chicken coop?
I hear you on the hot spots near the ridge. I did the same - added baffles and a ton of insulation last year, and it helped, but there’s still that stubborn patch up top that just bakes in July. I crawled up there with m...
RE: Keeping rust at bay when you're near the ocean
That salt air is relentless. I tried one of those “miracle” rust sprays last year - honestly, it slowed things down, but didn’t stop it. Stainless hardware’s been the only thing that hasn’t let me down, but my wallet def...
RE: Best ways to protect home from extreme weather combo?
Funny thing, I actually tried those micro-mesh guards on my dad’s house last year - he’s got a bunch of pine trees around. They did help with needles, but after one gnarly windstorm, the mesh kind of buckled in spots. I’...
RE: How tricky is too tricky when fixing modern gadgets?
Been there myself with a cordless drill - ended up improvising with a flathead screwdriver wedged just right. Felt pretty good when it finally came loose, though... definitely worth the struggle for that little victory.
RE: Paying in chunks as you go - smart move or risky business?
Totally agree with milestones being helpful. Had a roofing job last summer where the homeowner was nervous at first, but after the first chunk was done and paid, you could just see the relief on their face...made the res...
RE: Roofing roulette: whose warranty saves the day?
Totally agree with this. When I was first learning, we worked on a green roof project where the installer was new to it...let's just say we spent way too many afternoons troubleshooting leaks. Vetting carefully upfront s...
RE: Roof checkups saved me big bucks - anyone else?
Couldn't agree more with this. When I first started apprenticing, I shadowed an inspector who barely glanced at roofs from the ladder - he never actually climbed up. Later, working with someone more thorough, we caught i...
RE: Roof checkups saved me big bucks - anyone else?
Haha, I get what you mean about the accidental forest - my uncle tried a green roof once and ended up with birds nesting and weeds everywhere. It was like a mini wildlife sanctuary up there, and not in a good way. Took h...
RE: Found a mysterious metal roof sample... now what?
Gotta say, the rain sound on metal roofs really is something special. My grandparents had one on their old farmhouse, and whenever I visited as a kid, I'd sleep like a rock whenever it rained... something about that stea...
RE: Hypothetical scenario: your roofer suggests a contractor network you've never heard of
Totally with you on this. I've seen it happen too - my uncle once hired a contractor who was basically the neighborhood favorite because he sponsored local softball teams and gave everyone discounts. Super nice guy, but ...