Roof renovation may mean repairing your current roof to be as good as new, or it may be that your roof needs an entirely new surface of shingles or tar. Whichever it is, roof renovation can be a tricky and dangerous process, so roof renovation for beginners needs to include safety.
Safety First
A fall from an 8 or 10 foot roof can lead to death or paralysis. Roof renovation for beginners is, therefore, somewhat dangerous. Use ladders when you are working on a roof. Make sure the ladders are firmly stabilized so that they will not sway or fall when you get on. They need to be so securely set that they can stay in place when you are climbing with full hands. Scaffolding can actually provide a more stable surface for a beginner working on roof renovation. If you are working near the edge of the roof, stand on the ladder or scaffolding, not on the roof reaching over. Roofs with a steep pitch are especially dangerous, particularly in wet weather. You need to use roof jacks and planks for safety. A roof jack is a bracket made of metal and attaches to the roof with nail. A board goes between the jacks to provide a more stable surface to walk on. It's a good idea to use roof jacks and planks, even on roofs that have a more mild pitch. You will also want to consider the safety of the occupants of a home as you complete the restoration. Clean up the nails as they drop, and don't put ladders and scaffolding over entrance doors, if you can avoid it.
Repair
A beginner may learn to replace flashing on the roof, the soffit and facia, or repair shingles. Replacing an entire roof is likely beyond the skills of a beginner, and shouldn't be attempted without careful oversight from an experienced helper or a professional. For a leaking roof, often the homeowner can do a roof restoration by replacing blown off or broken shingles. Note where the leaking point is in the home, and mark it. Then find the marker on the roof and make note of any damaged shingles there. If there are damaged pieces, then the leaking is likely a result of the damaged roof.
Replacing damaged shingles is generally a roof renovation for beginners. It can be done with a few basic tools and without a great deal of experience. First, find the broken or damaged shingles. If the roof is curling back, get a quality asphalt roof cement. The easiest way to work with it is in a tube made for a caulking gun.
In warm weather, go on the roof, flatten the shingle, and glue it down again. In the winter time, you may need to use a propane torch to slightly soften the shingle. Don't use such a tool on your roof unless you know to use it. Broken, torn or rotten shingles should be replaced. Hopefully you have a few spare shingles stashed in the garage; if not, roofers can usually supply a few. Pry off the old shingle with a pry bar and nail and caulk a new shingle in its place.
