I have a 10′ by 24′ , 2/12 roof that is leaking. The roofer I talked to who specializes in low slope roofs uses either epdm or tpo. Any preferences out there? He also said that it is ok to go over the old roll roofing that is up there after cutting out the bad wrinkles. I am worried that the roofing would tend to wear more quickly over a less than smooth substrate. Would fiberboard overlay be recommended? or is a tearoff and resheet the way to go?
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If your going to tear off and resheath can't you just add some rafters and make a steeper pitch?
Joe Carola
I don't know TPO, but this guy has never read the manufacturer specs for EPDM if he is going to place it directly over the old double coverage. It won't stick down and it won't wear well. a smooth subsrate is required. ther are products available for nailing down to apply the EPDM to without needing to remove your existing - if theere is no moisture trapped in it.
Torch-down modified is another matter. It can be applied direct very well.
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I'm with piffin on this one. EPDM would suit your purpose, but it likes a clean surface to adhere to. Either strip off the old, or put an underlayment down (substrate), whichever is easier for your situation.
I've never used the torched stuff, but tend to think (just a WAG) that EPDM would last longer and be less hassle.
jt8
If you've had leaks, you might have rotten wood. In addition to the other reasons mentioned above, you need to tear the old roll roofing off to find and repair any rot. It's only 2.5 sq.
I invented sneezing.
Right there! Some people will do anythihng to avoid a spot of work called for!
I just spent the afternoon replacing missing shingles on a 20/12 ( no fun, weven with ladders, chicken ladders, and harness because somebody used staples and applied over the old shingles. The voids made it easy for the staples to shoot through, so the wind had fun with it.
ANYWAY after that job, I'm unwinding tonight. Dinosaur would have loved that pitch.
;)
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
20/12 Hell, Dinosaur can walk that. Watch for the UPS truck tomorrow or Thurs. I sold a bunch of stuff on Ebay and got Karl's shingles made so I shipped a ton of stuff with one trip Sat. The UPS lady wanted to date me after I hauled all that stuff in. Is it cooling down up there yet?
I invented gravy.
Thanks, I know what you mean about UPS. I just shipped stuff to daughter in CO.
Yeah, the nights are getting down into the fourties and I am starting to taker my jacket with me in the AM. But today, on that roof with black shingles, I burnt my hands. Ever been faced with the question, " Do i let go and start sliding , or do I hand on 'till my foot reaches that ladder and burn my palms more?" I hung on! Now the calluses are shinny from melting.
OK so I exagerate...
;)
Gravy, HUh? what about soup?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I realize that the right way to do it would be to tear it off - multiple layers - new rafters, sheathing, etc. and my conscience may get me to do that anyway. The issue is that it is a 50 year old porch on a 100 year old house that was converted into a bedroom and is a pretty marginal structure at best. Kind of like deciding how much money to throw at an old car. If it was a better built addition, I wouldn't hesitate to redo the whole thing. I am looking for something between half-a$$ed and ideal. Also a little worried about opening the usual can of worms by tearing into an old building - in ignorance is bliss. Maybe I will come to my senses and just do it right.
I realize that the right way to do it would be to tear it off - multiple layers
That says it all right there - multiple layers. You can't polish a turd. I'm assuming the roof is structurally sound - if it's not, why install another layer of something that will come crashing down on you when the rafters fail from all the multiple layers. Spend a $100 bucks and have nothing or spend $105 and have something. Cut a hole in the roof where its leaking and see what you've got. Buy a gallon of black mammy and patch the hole after you assess the damage. Good luck.
I invented black mammy.
Can you post a picture of the roof?
It sounds to me as if it's shed roof. If there is room above the roof without hitting any windows if this roof is up against your house you can just cut out a section of the roof right above the top plate where the rafters sit and just add new rafters with a steeper pitch without removing the old roof.
You wont be opening up any can of worms that way. We do a lot of jobs where there's a flat roof like yours and we've opened up the roof where the rafters sit on the top plates and then we'll build a kneewall to get to the high point of the shed roof and put a reversed gable which looks nice depending on the type of house you have or just do it like I said above and keep a shed roof just adding rafters to create a higher pitch and all this can be done without removing the old roof.
Joe Carola