We recently replaced the EPDM (rubber) roof membrane on a single-family home with a shallow pitched roof. At 30 years old, it had lived a good life and served the house well. Our roofing subcontractor suggested we install asphalt shingles instead of rubber. I was not a fan of this idea because of the shallow roof pitch (2:12; this is the minimum required by many shingle manufacturers), until I saw the price differential.
This is a rental property. My wife and I became landlords by default. We own a small construction company, and we needed a place for our employees to work so we did not have to lay them off between jobs. We saved and scraped together enough money to buy a cheap fixer upper. Because we are on a tight budget, we proceeded with the shingle installation, installing an ice and water barrier membrane on the entire roof for added protection.
When the old rubber roof membrane and protection board were removed, I noticed undulations in the roof plane. These are visible in the photo above. Much of the plywood sheathing was loose and needed refastening as well. No sheathing clips were used when this home was constructed, probably in the 1960s or 70s. I also noticed a slight dip in one part of the ridge. It wasn’t significant and a layperson may not have noticed it, but a carpenter tends to notice these things as a natural response to years on the job trying to make items plumb, level, and square.
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