Well I don't know if Bob Vila and Norm Abram would have done it this way but it worked for me. Around these communities there are "guys". Guys that do work and everyone loves them. As far as roofs, "the guy" comes and caulks up the roof when the Florida rooms leak, and will put on a new one when it's time. They, mostly the ladies, love their guys. They love to share when they've had a visit and had some work done. I think it's kinda like the old pool boy fantasies of yesteryear. I thought about joining the crowd and just paying the roof guy, but for $3,500 I couldn't do it. For many people the problem isn't the job, it's where do you get rid of the stuff. So they pay, or over pay.
I've taken Luke for a walk when these roofs get replaced and it happens in short order, usually by the return trip, the four or five guys almost have it done. They have it down to a science, and a quick payday. The roof shingles run about $700, another $200 for paper and nails, and a few more bucks to get rid of the debris. So for less then $1,000 out of pocket they turn a good profit. Some days they do three or four of these. Smart dudes.
I looked at our roof and it was time, long overdue actually. There were two roofs and the top layer of shingles were curled and like dust. So I could do two things, do it right, or do it my way. My way won. What that meant was taking off the top layer and re-roofing it. Many homes have two or three roofs so it's not out of the ordinary. The base layer was intact and almost melted to the paper and the sheathing. So I began the process.
Now I don't know what's wrong the above picture but it's just wrong. First I look like I'm in pain. And then my tool belt. My trusty belt that I've had for 30 + years. It's so old I can't adjust the size anymore so I guess I just wear it higher where it fits around my girth. It looks like the belt is holding all my guts in above it. I hate being built like a horse. But anyway.
The weather was perfect and I was working in the shade. There would be no nail gun here. It's old school with roofing nails and a hammer. I purchased a square, three bundles, of shingles to get started and ran out before I gave out. While the work wasn't hard, if I did have an old heart attack I'm sure I would have felt it.
All the demo is done and I'll hit Lowe's in the morning for 5 more bundles of shingles and another box of nails. I was gonna but the five-pound box for $21 but cheapened out and got two one-pound boxes for $7 each. I just didn't needed pounds of extra nails laying around the house.
I should have it wrapped up by tomorrow afternoon and in the end it will have cost me $450. Even if it lasts me 10 years I'll be ahead of the game. I have to watch the money as the used car lot is holding my Silverado down in South Carolina. They said they would make all the repairs found during the inspection and that I could even take it back over for another once over. If you forgot what she looks like that's her below, what a beauty.
