How to Select Your Roofing Tools

There's no doubt it's a wise move to hire a professional to remove, install or maintain a roof. But with a little bit of time and knowledge, and often with the help of a few friends, replacing a roof is a realistic do it yourself project. The key to doing it yourself rather than doing yourself in is the right roofing tools. These tools can be found at the local hardware store.

A slate cutter does just what the name implies, cuts slate and shingles. It goes through most roofing materials like a hot knife through butter. Industrial versions cut 1/2” thick shingles easily. Some models have a punch to get them started, which also offers better control in the cutting process.

Instead of throwing the shingles to the ground, which requires a constant trek to the perilous edge, consider a ridge bucket. These buckets are designed to hug the roof so they don't slip even on a steep incline. It's safer and quicker to use this bucket to dispose of materials.
Use a hip runner to install ridge cap and hip ridges perfectly straight every time. Of all the roofing tools this is one the contractors always have, but do it your self enthusiasts rarely consider.

Seaming pliers aren't for sewing. They're for yanking off shingles, especially stubborn shingles that seem to have a mind of their own intent on staying in place. Seaming pliers have teeth to grip the shingle without tearing it. Add a good pair of thick work gloves to save your fingers and hands from scrapes, bruises and blisters from gripping and pulling rough shingles.

A slater's hammer has a hammer head, as well as a small ax and a blade on the opposite side. This roofing tool can be used both for removing the old roof and installing the new roof. It's also useful as a regular hammer and with the ax and blade for other projects besides roofing.

Not only will most local hardware stores carry these tools, they'll rent some of the larger ones such as a slate cutter. This way a roofing novice can use the best quality tools rather than one that's cheaper to purchase. Keep in mind too that knowledge is a roofing tool as important as any other. These local hardware stores are also sources of information on roofing. Between books they carry and staff on hand who can give you advice, they can prepare a person for every step of the roofing process.

Granicrete Products, Anyone?

Although this site covers various aspects of home improvement, it is beneficial to be aware of existing home improvement solutions to the home owner. One such solution is those provided by Granicrete International.

Granicrete International is an organisation that provides innovative proprietory synthetic concrete solutions to various components of your home as well as office. These generally include flooring, countertop surfacing, shower, garage, BBQ and of course the ever popular lightweight concrete systems.

On their site brochure (for example) is a description for their flooring system:

"Granicrete’s Alternative Floor System has been time tested for over 12 years in the harshest of conditions including freeze-thaw, high salt, high humidity, and arid conditions. The proprietary formulas used for our modified synthetic concrete overlay system were acquired by Granicrete in 2006. Impressed by the durability of that system and the highly authentic stone finishes it had always achieved, Granicrete found the Alternative Flooring System to perfectly compliment the Countertop system.

Our Alternative Floor System is designed to go over wood or concrete and because of its light weight it can be used for upstairs flooring without the need for foundation reinforcement. The high-end look for stone, travertine, flagstone, and slate commonly asked for. We even have the ability to provide the look for wood flooring and barn-wood planks.

All of our work is done freehand using a trowel as well as being hand colored. Therefore, your work is custom. As for tile patterns and tile size, simply ask us for your most desired. There is no extra charge to provide you with tile sizes from 16” to 48” even if the contour of your floor is not level.

We seal all our custom floors to your preference from matte to high gloss finishes. Our outdoor sealers have exceptionally high UV resistance and all our sealers are designed to enhance the look and performance of your floors for decades. Our floors are easy to maintain."

In subsequent updates, we'll cover more other aspects of systems flooring solutions.

UPDATE: Stop Paying For Electrical Bills Right Now!