Roofing Felt Installation

If you wish to install or replace roofing felt then the good news is that you can do it yourself! Here is a quick guide to help get you started, and to ensure your installation will last as long as possible.

Preparation

Whenever you are going to lay roofing felt you should make sure to do it in hot conditions. This prevents any moisture from getting underneath the felt. You should also try to unroll the felt at least 30 minutes before you’re going to use it.

It’s also important to judge whether you have the skill to do this yourself. Once you get started you are going to have to make sure that the job is finished properly on the same day. Since you will be applying roofing felt during warm weather it could be hot and hard work. It may be a good idea to have someone on hand to help you. The rolls of felt are also heavy, meaning that two people are best for its handling.

When you are carrying out the work make sure you wear gloves to protect your hands whilst handling the felt. You should also follow any safety instructions when it comes to using adhesives, and wear appropriate clothing. You are probably going to get adhesive on your clothes, so wear some old ones that you don’t mind getting dirty!

Materials and Tools

Before you get started on the job you should check that you have to hand any materials and tools that are going to be required throughout the installation. This will include the underlay felt and the top felt, as well as nails with a large head, roofing adhesive and paint if required.

The tools you need will include a hammer for the nails, a tape measure and cutting knife to cut the felt to size, a broom and a brush to allow you to spread the adhesive and smooth out the felt for a good seal.

Useful Work Tips

When you actually get started on the work you should always ensure you use the right materials for the job. You are also going to need lengths of felt that include enough room to overlap, usually four to six inches. You will be applying the felt in layers, so with each layer ensure that the joins do not match the joins of the previous layer.

When you are using adhesive you want to get as tight a seal as possible, which is why it is recommended to use a broom to smooth over any air bubbles. Always check that the felt has bonded properly, and in some cases you can walk over it to aid this process.

Conclusion

Installing roofing felt yourself is a large undertaking, but is not impossible for anyone who has DIY skills. However, it may often be the best idea to contact a roofing contractor who can help you out with the job. Simply look up available contractors either online or in your local Yellow Pages.