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Replacing Our Garage Roof – Part 2 – Stripping & Woodwork

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Operation – Garage Roof Replacement – is finally underway!

It’s a job we’ve been putting off for far too long, but with the roof looking worse after each winter, we figured that we’d better get it replaced before the cold and wet weather kicks in again. After all, a collapsed roof would probably be harder to repair!

Replacing A Roof

The first step in the long list of jobs is to remove the old down pipes, gutters and roof covering.

Having had a survey carried out when we bought our house, we already knew that the existing tiles contain asbestos. You obviously have to be really careful when removing asbestos and there are only certain types that you are allowed to remove without needing a licence. Luckily our roofing fell into the category of being safe enough for us to remove ourselves, but of course we still needed to take some security precautions – and we opted for the complete kit!

Asbestos Suit

Totally flattering, isn’t it?

In addition to our personal safety suits and equipment, we were really careful when handling the tiles, too. You should dampen the surface to avoid dust, you should avoid breaking the tiles, you shouldn’t slide dry sheets over one another and you shouldn’t use power tools. The list just goes on and on, but this is definitely a case of safety first! You can find loads of information on safely removing asbestos here.

Replacing A Roof

Because of all the safety precautions and being so careful with the tiles, removing the existing covering probably took a bit longer than we would have liked, but we got there in the end.

After stripping the roof, the next step was to replace the rotten timber. As bad as the roof was, we were kind of lucky, too, as only the ends of the sarking (the boards that cover the whole roof) had rotted away and (almost) all the structure was still in a decent condition.

Replacing A Roof

At the front of the garage there were only a few boards that needed to be replaced, but at the other end we had to remove all of them back to the first rafter as so much of them had rotted.

Replacing A Roof

At the same time we also ended up having to replace part of the purlin which had rotted, too. Considering that the roof is over 100 years old, I think we could count ourselves lucky that the timber wasn’t in a worse condition.

After spending so much time taking everything to pieces, it was of course inevitable that we had to put things back together again.

Replacing A Roof

We had the replacement timber cut at our local timber merchants, so it was just a matter of nailing it into place. Thanks to our amazing neighbour who helped on and off during the day, things started to speed up.

Replacing A Roof

The last step, which we had to complete before being able to call this first phase finished, is to cover the roof with a breathable membrane which will later be hidden under the roof covering. Most importantly though it’ll make the garage water tight until we can get round to installing the new slates.

Replacing A Roof

Installing the membrane was really quick and easy, as it’s just a matter of rolling it out and stapling it into place. We still have a bit more to do, but at least it’s a start and we’ve managed to tick the first few boxes on our list.

The Plan:

  1. Remove old roof covering (you can remove asbestos yourself, but have to take necessary precautions)
  2. Remove old gutters and downpipes
  3. Remove fascia, bargeboards and other random bits of timber
  4. Remove and replace rotten sarking
  5. Replace rotten timber
  6. Re-felt roof
  7. Attach new fascia and new bargeboard
  8. Lay slates
  9. Lay ridge tiles
  10. Paint timber
  11. Install new gutters and downpipes
  12. Strip and repaint garage door
  13. Repair and repaint window
  14. Remove old paint of garage walls
  15. Celebrate when finished!

Replacing A Roof

Now all we have to do is decide on which colour slate to choose – oh, and install it!

Have you ever replaced a roof? Do you have any tips for us?

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Christine 9 Comments

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Comments

  1. Karen says

    27/09/2016 at 14:54

    Great idea to wear asbestos suits and well done for having a go at it yourselves. Great article, thanks.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      29/09/2016 at 10:32

      Thanks, Karen! Safety is always a priority and we don’t take any chances – especially in the case of our asbestos roof!
      Cx

      Reply
  2. Latoya says

    28/10/2014 at 12:32

    Nice to see all your effort but hard to do all these , two years back I replaced my garage roof because it was leaking but last year I used EPDM Roofing it made me relax.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      28/10/2014 at 13:42

      We had considered using EPDM, but in the end, we decided to install something that was more in keeping with the period of the house.
      Cx

      Reply
  3. Argus says

    02/09/2014 at 03:52

    It is a smart ideas to wear those asbestos suits. I’ve never done a roof myself but the people I know in the business are very careful about asbestos exposure.

    Reply
  4. Jessica@CapeofDreams says

    27/08/2014 at 22:12

    I have never replaced a roof, and I respect you a lot for doing it. You look so cute in your asbestos suits.

    Reply
    • Jan says

      28/08/2014 at 07:52

      Thanks Jessica. It was fun. But we felt more like the guys in the film Outbreak ;)

      Reply
  5. Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says

    26/08/2014 at 15:29

    I see you’re training on your garage roof before you come replace mine ;)

    Reply
    • Christine says

      26/08/2014 at 17:52

      Haha, nice try Magali! Think you’d better see what it looks like when finished first…
      Cx

      Reply
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