Overview: Roof Underlayment Installation It is important to understand that modern underlays are proprietary products, so the fixing instructions should be checked with the manufacturer’s information. However, in general, all underlay should be laid with a slight sag (nominally 10mm) to allow any water trapped in the roof to drain away to the eaves. It is important not to over-tighten the underlay as this can lead to water tracking across the battens and into the roof via nail holes. Likewise, the underlay should not be laid baggy as this can lead to excess flapping in high winds, and the ..read more

Marking up Gauges (in Sets) One of the biggest mistakes that people make when marking up gauges is to do them one at a time. I have seen many trainees and inexperienced roofers scratching their heads and wondering why the top roof batten is running out by 30 or 40mm when they have checked the roof and all the roof battens and then just cannot find the error. What has normally happened is that they have marked one roof batten at a time and have made a number of tiny errors of 2 or 3mm each time they have transferred the tape. Marking gauges in sets saves time and is more accurate. For example ..read more

Overview This article deals with the different roof types of pitched roof, such as mono-pitch, duo-pitch, lean-to, gables, hips and valleys, and also raises the need to consider weight, pitch, planning and exposure when choosing materials and suitable fixing methods. Roof Types and Terminology Single-Pitched Roofs Mono-Pitched Roof type. The main aspect to consider with single-pitched roofs is how you are going to finish off at the top edges? For a mono-pitch roof, the most common method is to use special mono-pitch ridge tiles, which are easily obtained from tile manufacturers or ro ..read more

You keep asking yourself – Where to buy roofing materials? Here are the common places to check for. DIY Superstores Increasingly now, well-known DIY superstores are stocking more and more specialist products and can prove to be very handy for last-minute items and general materials. There will be sand, cement, timber battens and some of the more common materials aplenty, but the range and quantities of slates, tiles, fittings and fixings may be quite limited, as may be the advice and guidance that you need from time to time. Builders’ Merchants Many builders’ merchants have recently ..read more

Concrete Interlocking Roof Tiles These are the most popular in Britain because they are relatively cheap, quick to lay and come in a range of colours, finishes (that is, smooth or granular) and profiles (shapes). The profiles shown here are among the most commonly found in Britain although it is important to note that each manufacturer’s tiles will vary slightly so it is important not to mix them together. Each tile type will have a minimum pitch at which it can be laid under warranty, so it is important to check this before you place your order. Plain Roof Tiles Plain tiles are the traditiona ..read more

Underlay Felt For many years the most common type of underlay used under slates and tiles was the bituminous felt Type 1F. This is still widely used in the domestic sector, but it has all but totally been replaced on new sites by a range of high-tech, plastic underlays. 1F felt typically comes in 1m by 15m rolls. Many roofers, and therefore merchants, will refer to all underlays as ‘felt’, irrespective of the actual type. Plastic Underlays and Breather Membranes Most modern underlay is made from some form of plastic, and these can either be non-vapour permeable or vapour permeable (known commo ..read more

Roofing Tools Overview The tools in a roofer, slater and tiler’s bag or tool box will vary from firm to firm and from region to region, and so will the terminology describing them. The tools below are most common roofing tools. from my own tools and those which are most commonly used throughout the industry. Much, of course, depends on the type of work you are doing, so I have included a brief description of what each tool is used for to help you decide what you may or may not need. Measuring Tape Retractable tapes come in all sorts of quality and length, but for measuring ..read more

Working at Height Safety Measures Working at heights requires special precautions for obvious reasons. Roofing safety is really important. Falls from height still account for one-fifth of the deaths in the construction industry; they are the biggest killer in the industry, yet still people chance their arm, especially in the domestic market. Having seen one former colleague suffer an accident that meant that he could never walk again, another break his leg and countless near misses, I can tell you that it is just not worth risking your neck to save money or to win contracts. People often say t ..read more

Measuring Tools and Marking Tools The difference between a professional- and amateur-looking job can be in the measuring. For pieces to fit perfectly, accurate measurements are essential. An eighth of an inch can throw off the whole balance of a job. No matter what tool you use to measure, take your time and follow the adage, “Measure twice, cut once.” The steel tape measure is the most common measuring tool used by do-it-yourselfers. It offers the flexibility of making inside and outside measurements as well as measuring round objects. The folding wooden rule is used in place of the flexible ..read more

Working with Concrete Knowing how to handle concrete will ensure a long life for your concrete driveway, sidewalk or patio. Concrete is a mixture of Portland cement, sand, gravel and water, mixed in measured proportions to form a durable and fairly inexpensive building material. Portland cement is a fine powder which, when mixed with water, forms a cement paste that binds the gravel and sand (aggregates) together to form concrete. The aggregates form about 75 percent of the concrete, and the ratio of the aggregates used in the mixture determines the strength of the concrete. The fine aggregate ..read more