Roofing Trials

This past weekend continued to have a goal:  GET THE ROOF ON.  Rains continue on a weekly basis and the tarps are getting difficult to use.  On Saturday, my visiting friend Perry and I installed the rafter blocks - 2x4s to support the seams where two pieces of plywood (sheathing) join.  I was sitting reading the plans and noticed them in the plans....another 'I almost forgot' moment.  Fortunately, this time it was not too late.  Each block - measured precisely for the space between each rafter -- included three 1 1/4" holes for ventilation. The entire effort only required about two hours in total. The feeling of getting anything done/accomplished is good but the heat inside the house with the tarps made that the one and only task to complete that day.

Sunday was a one-step-back-day or a 'redo' day.  I mentioned in an earlier post that my roof over the loft has a 1.5/12 pitch. So, on Sunday four of us removed the existing roof above the dormers, shortened the walls by 1.5" and raised the ridge board by 1.5" using a simple 2x4, trimmed and placed on top. We fabricated 10 new rafters and they installed perfectly. The rise is now almost 3/12 which meets the State's code,puts my worried head to rest, and should simplify the installation of the ridge caps which support two different pitches.

As an aside note, I am not reinstalling the dormer sheathing until AFTER the main (steep) portion of the roof is installed for two reasons.  First, having the loft to stand on to stand may make installation easier.  Second, I learned that it is impossible to screw the sheathing down where the two roofs meet since one overhang overlaps the other. So installing the dormer roof last will avoid this problem as well.

Also, I used standard hurricane anchors to tie the roof rafters to the ridge beam and the walls.  I did learn that the come in right and left hand designs AND there are special ones shown in the picture that work especially well with 2x4 rafters.  It is shorter than the 'regular' anchors.  Either HD or Lowes had these, but the picture does show the part number.

I plan to pick up the roof supplies on Friday in Alauchua.  Gulf Coast Supply (GCA) has been very poor at communicating which has added to my frustration. A Tiny House is super small in their terms, and as a result, relatively low importance. Nonetheless, I hope that JACK will join me again since my two regular helpers are traveling.  GCS's installation instructions appear to be very good and I'm hoping to be successful at installing a metal roof.  Bravery, in many ways, is necessary.