Need a bit of advice on roofing

[redrocker652002]

First off, let me tell this is a shed roof that I use to store my tools, beer stuff and other crap my wife doesn't want to look at. I put up a cheap roll style roofing that I have used on many roofs in the past and for some reason this winter it leaked like crazy. the shed is a lean to style I guess with a very low slope (maybe 1 inch for the 7 feet of roof on the slope). My thought is to try out the stick on style roofing by GABF. I am thinking of doing the underlayment and then the cap sheet with drip rails on the sides and a very thin gutter along the low end. I run a downspout into a garbage can to save the water to use for watering the plants and stuff like that. Has anybody had any experience with this style roof? Also, I installed two inexpensive skylights on the roof for light, and I have to say that makes a huge difference. I am going to flash all of that and the lights have built in saddles with flanges so they are nailed to a 2x4 frame around each hole.

Any input, pro's or cons are welcomed.

Thanks,

 

[Jonakr]

First off, let me tell this is a shed roof that I use to store my tools, beer stuff and other crap my wife doesn't want to look at. I put up a cheap roll style roofing that I have used on many roofs in the past and for some reason this winter it leaked like crazy. the shed is a lean to style I guess with a very low slope (maybe 1 inch for the 7 feet of roof on the slope). My thought is to try out the stick on style roofing by GABF. I am thinking of doing the underlayment and then the cap sheet with drip rails on the sides and a very thin gutter along the low end. I run a downspout into a garbage can to save the water to use for watering the plants and stuff like that. Has anybody had any experience with this style roof? Also, I installed two inexpensive skylights on the roof for light, and I have to say that makes a huge difference. I am going to flash all of that and the lights have built in saddles with flanges so they are nailed to a 2x4 frame around each hole.

Any input, pro's or cons are welcomed.

Thanks,

Looking at minimums for a lean-to, suggestions are 1.5" x 12". That would be 10.5 inch for the 7 foot length.

 

[redrocker652002]

Looking at minimums for a lean-to, suggestions are 1.5" x 12". That would be 10.5 inch for the 7 foot length.

I meant that it is a lean to style, not a peaked roof, but if I was to go with your numbers, I am guessing I should be looking at simple roll roofing and make sure I overlap it really well?

Here is what I was looking at using:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/GAF-Lib...-Low-Slope-Roofing-in-White-3732920/100031926

Based on what I read, the slope can be a minimum of 1/2 to 12. I am guessing 1/2 inch for every 12 feet? Or am I way off?

it says for low slope roofs, so I thought it would work out ok.

 

[Jonakr]

I meant that it is a lean to style, not a peaked roof, but if I was to go with your numbers, I am guessing I should be looking at simple roll roofing and make sure I overlap it really well?

Here is what I was looking at using:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/GAF-Lib...-Low-Slope-Roofing-in-White-3732920/100031926

Based on what I read, the slope can be a minimum of 1/2 to 12. I am guessing 1/2 inch for every 12 feet? Or am I way off?

it says for low slope roofs, so I thought it would work out ok.

My understanding is inches of pitch to inches of length. That would make 1.5 inch per 12 inches, not feet. Even "flat" roofs have to account for drainage, or else they'll leak, or have water pool up.

 

[day_trippr]

1" total slope for a 7 foot roof is a measurement error away from dead flat.
Have you considered either changing the pitch - or a rubber roof?

Cheers!

 

[redrocker652002]

My understanding is inches of pitch to inches of length. That would make 1.5 inch per 12 inches, not feet. Even "flat" roofs have to account for drainage, or else they'll leak, or have water pool up.

After I thought about it, I think you are right. So, with that said, I might have to add a bit of pitch to the roof that I was not expecting to do. Not a huge deal as I was going to tear the old roofing off. I am guessing I can scab a piece of 2x4 to the existing wall joists and just add some siding and plywood for the roof? Either that, or go with the cheaper roll roofing I have used for years with very little problems and just flash and be a bit better at sealing the seams.

 

[redrocker652002]

1" total slope for a 7 foot roof is a measurement error away from dead flat.
Have you considered either changing the pitch - or a rubber roof?

Cheers!

open to any and all suggestions. My thought as I sit here at work and ponder would be to add about a foot of 2x4 to my existing side walls to adjust the pitch to about 12 inches. Then, I could use shingles or the stick on style roofing with no problems. Since I will have my son helping it might not be as bad as it would be with just me.

 

[day_trippr]

I really think something along those lines will be the prudent way to go. I just got done dealing with a shed roof that was built with a less than desirable pitch considering the amount of snow we get in the NH mountains and had to replace a few sheets of sheathing and sister a couple of rafters because of insidious leakage that wasn't recognized in time. Pita...

Cheers!

 

[redrocker652002]

I really think something along those lines will be the prudent way to go. I just got done dealing with a shed roof that was built with a less than desirable pitch considering the amount of snow we get in the NH mountains and had to replace a few sheets of sheathing and sister a couple of rafters because of insidious leakage that wasn't recognized in time. Pita...

Cheers!

I think you guys are right. While I have my kid helping, he can help me do the heavy work and I think we can get it done in a weekend. I am guessing I will have to scab 2x4's on each stud to make it another 12 to 14 inches. Then, I will have to scab 2x4's for each rafter to make up the difference in the pitch to meet the studs. After all that, cut some plywood to fill the gab in the roof as well as the gap in the siding. I will figure out how to flash it all to make it water tight. I cannot just take the siding off and replace as it is right up against the fence.

 

[user 246304]

Sorry I can't help with the slope issue. All I have to say, coming on 50 years later, even if it's a beautiful day in S Ca., and she was stunning in her flowing blond tresses and bikini, and you're a 15 year old lad, always pay attention when carrying a bucket of hot mop across the roof, because there's, like, pipes and stuff you can hit, and, you know, hot mop tar sort of stings when it splashes on your hand and sinks in.

On the other hand, I did learn how to fly that day. Off a commercial building, to get to a hose.

 

[redrocker652002]

Sorry I can't help with the slope issue. All I have to say, coming on 50 years later, even if it's a beautiful day in S Ca., and she was stunning in her flowing blond tresses and bikini, and you're a 15 year old lad, always pay attention when carrying a bucket of hot mop across the roof, because there's, like, pipes and stuff you can hit, and, you know, hot mop tar sort of stings when it splashes on your hand and sinks in.

View attachment 849989


On the other hand, I did learn how to fly that day. Off a commercial building, to get to a hose.

Good to know. LOL. I am still trying to figure out what I am going to do. If I increase the pitch I have to scab some siding in and the crease creates issues, unless I can run a nice thick bead of silicone on it. I am going to keep an open mind and see what you all come up with.

 

[user 246304]

Good to know. LOL. I am still trying to figure out what I am going to do. If I increase the pitch I have to scab some siding in and the crease creates issues, unless I can run a nice thick bead of silicone on it. I am going to keep an open mind and see what you all come up with.

Good luck buddy. Just a bit of nostalgia. The skin came off like a Mad Magazine thing while scuba diving, a year or so later. Like plugs, all the way down, weirdest thing. She was worth it, if I remember correctly.

 

[madscientist451]

For sheds and such I use metal for the roof. No leaks and it will outlast me.

 

[InspectorJon]

Read the instructions for the roofing material you want to use. If you follow the instructions it will work. There are not a lot of options for roof slopes below 2:12. That is two inches of slope for 12 inches of run. I believe the minimum pitch for 90 lb rolled roofing is 3:12. The peal and stick SBS is rated for very low slopes. Read and follow the instructions.

 

[redrocker652002]

Read the instructions for the roofing material you want to use. If you follow the instructions it will work. There are not a lot of options for roof slopes below 2:12. That is two inches of slope for 12 inches of run. I believe the minimum pitch for 90 lb rolled roofing is 3:12. The peal and stick SBS is rated for very low slopes. Read and follow the instructions.

Thanks to all who replied. My thought is to try and pull the roof off and repitch it. Not exactly sure how I am going to do that, but once I get it apart I will work on it. I don't want to take the whole shed apart to rebuild walls, redo siding and basically make a whole new shed. I don't have the time, nor the funds to redo it. My hope is to get a decent pitch without having to rebuild it all, enough for the water to run and not pool and hopefully get it sealed up by doing a better job of flashing it and sealing the sky light.