Posted: 4/16/2009 11:14:05 AM EDT
| If I get a crew out here to replace my shingles after the hail storm, should I insist on that they use: |
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Tag.
If you requested me to use hammers instead of nail guns, if i could keep from laughing, i'd proboly charge you double for being a dumbass. I heard one lady wanted the crew to pull the plastic strips off the back, "so the shingles would stick to the roof". She was adamant, like the shingles are some kind of giant sticker. She wouldn't listen to the fact that those strips are just to keep the shingles from sticking together in the bundle. If a complete rookie picks up a nailgun, they may shoot unven and at an angle and tear some, but anyone with experience can do a good job, and do it quickly. |
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Quoted:
Tag. If you requested me to use hammers instead of nail guns, if i could keep from laughing, i'd proboly charge you double for being a dumbass. I heard one lady wanted the crew to pull the plastic strips off the back, "so the shingles would stick to the roof". She was adamant, like the shingles are some kind of giant sticker. She wouldn't listen to the fact that those strips are just to keep the shingles from sticking together in the bundle. If a complete rookie picks up a nailgun, they may shoot unven and at an angle and tear some, but anyone with experience can do a good job, and do it quickly. Interesting, because there a lot of Mexicans swinging hammers this week. Also, you would insist on the old roof being removed first, yes? |
| I have done roofs with roofing staple guns and with nailers, and have not lost a shingle. You are being overly anal to tell them what equipment to use. The main thing is to use the correct length nails or staples if you are doing an overlay. If pros are doing your roof, they should not be doing an overlay. |
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Quoted:
Tag. If you requested me to use hammers instead of nail guns, if i could keep from laughing, i'd proboly charge you double for being a dumbass. I heard one lady wanted the crew to pull the plastic strips off the back, "so the shingles would stick to the roof". She was adamant, like the shingles are some kind of giant sticker. She wouldn't listen to the fact that those strips are just to keep the shingles from sticking together in the bundle. If a complete rookie picks up a nailgun, they may shoot unven and at an angle and tear some, but anyone with experience can do a good job, and do it quickly. I was a complete rookie the first time I used a gun. It just isn't that hard to figure out. Lot of folks never been on a roof giving arm-chair advice here. |
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Quoted: Tag. If you requested me to use hammers instead of nail guns, if i could keep from laughing, i'd proboly charge you double for being a dumbass. I heard one lady wanted the crew to pull the plastic strips off the back, "so the shingles would stick to the roof". She was adamant, like the shingles are some kind of giant sticker. She wouldn't listen to the fact that those strips are just to keep the shingles from sticking together in the bundle. If a complete rookie picks up a nailgun, they may shoot unven and at an angle and tear some, but anyone with experience can do a good job, and do it quickly. This. If the OP thinks he knows how best to roof his house, he should do it himself. If he's going to hire a roofer, he should hire one he trusts and let them do what they do. You don't hire an expert then tell them how to do their work. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Tag. If you requested me to use hammers instead of nail guns, if i could keep from laughing, i'd proboly charge you double for being a dumbass. I heard one lady wanted the crew to pull the plastic strips off the back, "so the shingles would stick to the roof". She was adamant, like the shingles are some kind of giant sticker. She wouldn't listen to the fact that those strips are just to keep the shingles from sticking together in the bundle. If a complete rookie picks up a nailgun, they may shoot unven and at an angle and tear some, but anyone with experience can do a good job, and do it quickly. This. If the OP thinks he knows how best to roof his house, he should do it himself. If he's going to hire a roofer, he should hire one he trusts and let them do what they do. You don't hire an expert then tell them how to do their work. |
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Listen,
GOOD LUCK insisting on making anyone use a hammer instead of a pnuematic, if thats what you want to be done, then you can find crews to do it, but youll either get cheap amateurs, or dead broke jokes. Were her to MAKE money and then go and do the next job! You DONT tell someone how to do their joba nd what tools to use, if thats your position, then DO IT YOURSELF!!!!!!!! Now, things to watch for... and suggestions, Yes, you want them to do a tear off, IF you want to be really really anal, replace the tar paper, Thye make "Peel and Seal" (Fortiflash) roofing rolls for roofs over 3/12, this is the best stuff to use if your super anal, and the most expensive. The benefit is that MOST of the nail holes seal themselves after penetration to defeat wandering water. Make sure they roll over from bottom up when felting. Make sure all lines are horizontal, not vertical (dont continue rolling over hips and ridges) Use GALVENIZED matal in the valleys, kick it out in the corners properly and make sure it returns over the ridge to the adjacent angle (It goes up and over to not let water get under it) Make sure it is crisply lined in the middle and centered in the valley USE ARCHITECTURAL shingles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 tab will not suffice if hi wind or weather Make sure the nail pattern is being used, just observe the pattern, if your good, you can hear it Make SURE you have sifficent NFA (Net Free Air) for Ventiliation, the cuts are opened enough, the vents are centered and adequate to vent the needed NFA You have a say in the quality IF it is not being done right, but you cant honestly think your going to tell a crew of professionals to use a certain tool or not. I also would charge you DOUBLE, or tell you find some assH&^* and call me after when you need it fixed so I can really stick it to you Pick a good IKO, GAF, ELKA, or Owens Corning shingle, fire ratedd, wind rated for your zone, and ALGAE TREATED |
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Hammer.
I had my roof replaces 2 years ago, About 6 months later I noticed a small fold along the drip edge. By the next spring there was a 4" peak in the spot. The roofer had the pressure set to high and blew the nails through the shingles and they were sliding down and pivoting in one spot causing the peak. Bastard didn't want to come out and fix it until I threatened legal action. |
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Means and methods are not as important as workmanship and materials warranties.
The desired appearance and performance is what you should worry about. Let the contractor worry about how it gets done. But, I would make sure the installer is certified by the materials manufacturer to install the product. You can ask for a letter of certification from the mfr. If the contractor is not certified, any warranty may be voided. This is usually enough to ensure that the installation is done properly. |
| If you're paying them by the hour, they better be using a roofing nailer. I've seen how long it takes people to do a roof with a hammer, and I've seen how fast it goes with a nailer. The last time I helped roof a house, we had four guys laying out shingles on the flats, and two guys working gables and other "special" areas. We had *ONE* guy with a nailer... and the rest of us couldn't keep up with him. |
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Quoted:
First you should insist on leagle documented workers because no Americans will not do those kind of jobs any more. Then worry about the hammer and nails. when I had my roof done 3 years ago, I used a company that only used legal W-4 employees. It cost me about 30% more, but I got it done. Most of the estimators looked at me like 
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Number one, insist that they DO NOT use staples. They are not recomended for shingle instalation anymore and do not stand up to the current FM wind tests. Two, as long as the nail head is flush with the shingle surface, it soes not matter what they use to drive them. If they gun the ruff they have to check through the day as the temp rises they are not over driving and adjust their guns accordingly. Let me know if you want a basic spec for a shingle roof. I write the damn things all day when Im not walking roofs. Oh, one more thing, make sure your attic is properly vented. that will kill a roof as fast as a hail storm. PM me if you want. |
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Strip roof to decking material...
Install new felt paper 15# or 30#...whatever your wallet can bear Install new dripedge Install new valley flashing... Install shingles and new off ridge vents if applicable...Insist on following the manufacturers directions (pneumatic nailers are the only way to go in this day and age) when it comes to installation incase you have a warranty issue 20 years down the road... <––––Construction superintendent |