Planning on working on your roof instead of hiring someone else to do it? You’ll want to make sure that you get the right materials. Having everything you need will make the job much easier and it will limit the trips that you have to make up and down the ladder, which contributes to your safety. Naturally, you will need whatever materials are required for the actual roof, depending on what it’s made out of. Shingle roofs require tar paper and shingles, etc. in addition to the actual roofing materials, though, there are many repair materials that you have to take along with you. One of the most important is the nail belt or bag. Not having nails right there when you need them can slow you down and keep you crawling around the roof looking for nails, which adds to the danger to you and the chance of roof damage.
A nail belt or container of some kind is a must. You should also have a tape measure, a framing hammer, and a claw hammer. If you don’t know the difference between the two types of hammers, any home supply store will be happy to educate you and show you what they have in stock. A combination square, a carpenter’s framing square, a level, a nail puller, wrenches, screwdrivers, and a hacksaw should all make their way to the roof with you, as well.
If you’re just doing a small job like repairing or replacing a couple of damaged shingles you won’t need all of those things, but for serious roof repairs that are more involved it doesn’t hurt to take some extra things with you and save yourself from making too many extra trips. The ladder that you are using should be sturdy, because some of the tools you’re carrying can be heavy.
That plus the weight of an average human being could be enough to cause a problem on ladders that are unsafe, old, or not set sturdily on the ground. If you’re doing a lot of roofing work that involves the trusses and decking, too, you’ll need a drill, a circular saw, and a chalk line. You’ll also want pencils and a caulking gun. Making sure you have good insurance won’t hurt, either, in case you or the house become damaged in the repair process. By taking your time and collecting the necessary materials first, you can make that roof repair a lot easier.