ROOF
The roof has been by far the most challenging part to date for me. It required days and days of standing for an hour or more at a time, which is my biggest physical weakness and challenge! I took the trailer wheels off and lowered the trailer to rest on bricks, but that still left the roof edge a good 7 feet above ground, and the center reach even further. I found ways to kneel on the ladder and tied myself to the vent hatch a few times for safety. For all the physical pain and exhaustion the roof work created, the challenge did give me an opportunity to build some strength back into my legs, for that I am grateful!
The roof was a mess! The fiberglass coating had rusted on the aluminum sheeting, the caulking at the seams had dried up and caused some leaks which rotted some of the ceiling panels in places and created rust where the aluminum sides are screwed to the inside metal supports. The whole thing had to be sanded- using a grinder with metal brush on the hardest rust. All of the sealant had to be removed, the screws had to be soaked in vinegar for days to remove the rust from them. The whole roof had to be CAREFULLY lifted a bit off the beams to remove the old seal and replace it.
The roof had to be primed with a rust resistant treatment and then we applied several coats of Elastomeric that will deflect heat to finish.
The old vent was cracked and broken, had to be removed and replaced. The vent is in the center of the roof, so reaching it was a trial and also, among other activities with this build, was a contributing factor to dislocating my shoulder from its socket- more pain that I EVER want to experience again in my life! Once I had the shoulder rested a few days, though, I was back up at the roof only using one arm/shoulder for a few months. My helper came through, acting as the other arm frequently! Thank goodness for the winter months break to help heal the shoulder.
The roof was a mess! The fiberglass coating had rusted on the aluminum sheeting, the caulking at the seams had dried up and caused some leaks which rotted some of the ceiling panels in places and created rust where the aluminum sides are screwed to the inside metal supports. The whole thing had to be sanded- using a grinder with metal brush on the hardest rust. All of the sealant had to be removed, the screws had to be soaked in vinegar for days to remove the rust from them. The whole roof had to be CAREFULLY lifted a bit off the beams to remove the old seal and replace it.
The roof had to be primed with a rust resistant treatment and then we applied several coats of Elastomeric that will deflect heat to finish.
The old vent was cracked and broken, had to be removed and replaced. The vent is in the center of the roof, so reaching it was a trial and also, among other activities with this build, was a contributing factor to dislocating my shoulder from its socket- more pain that I EVER want to experience again in my life! Once I had the shoulder rested a few days, though, I was back up at the roof only using one arm/shoulder for a few months. My helper came through, acting as the other arm frequently! Thank goodness for the winter months break to help heal the shoulder.
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