Patching up a shed roof

[EPS]

I am converting part of a lean to into a woodshed. Last weekend I cleaned it out and reinforced some beams in preparation for moving in some wood. There was lots of water on the floor but I assumed it was from melting snow all around. But it rained this week and I see places on the ceiling of the shed where the water is leaking through.

I know that I'll need to replace the roof eventually, but is it worth my time to patch things up from the inside for now? If so, what is the best product to use?

As you can see from the pictures, the roof is very much covered in moss, making for an extra chore if I tried to re-shingle it or something.

 

[EPS]

 

[WhoKilledBambi]

I'd lay some tarps over the roof. Ugly but works and cheap

 

[GadDummit]

You could re-roof the whole thing in a weekend. Absent that, you can take a bucket of roofing tar and a cheap throwaway mop and just go up there and "mop the floor". If it were me though, I'd just rip all the old shingles off and buy some tar paper and a couple of square of shingles (and some spikes for them) and know it's good for another 20 years.

That would also let you get a good look at the wood that's been getting wet and replace if necessary.

 

[weatherguy]

I'm assuming you cant replace for time/money reason take your time and put a decent tarp on it but dont bother doing it from the inside.

 

[GadDummit]

I'm assuming you cant replace for time/money reason take your time and put a decent tarp on it but dont bother doing it from the inside.

If you do go the tarp route, Harbor Freight has them for under 5.00 and 20% off coupons are everywhere, but any tarp left in the weather won't last more than a year. And Weatherguy is right. Trying to fix it from the inside won't work at all. Leaks have to be stopped from the outside.

 

[johneh]

Do a re roof new shingles can be done by 3 people in less than 10 hrs.
Rip off the old ones (use a roofing shovel) and lay down the new one
Then you'r good for 20+ years
As Mike Homes would say (DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME)

 

[EPS]

I'm assuming you cant replace for time/money reason take your time and put a decent tarp on it but dont bother doing it from the inside.

It's more a time thing than a money issue. Plus, I don't have a "work crew" per se, so it would be just me doing everything, and I can certainly see myself stepping in the wrong spot and going right through the roof.

That being said, I really ought to just bite the bullet and do it right, even if it takes a week.

 

[peakbagger]

Pretty simple you wont have a roof in few years if you dont get a new waterproof membrane on top of the wood decking . As it is I expect you will find a lot of rot.so plan on putting some plywood down. You dont have to strip it, just lay some strapping across the roof and screw metal roofing on the top of it. The problem is unless you can screw the strapping into something solid at some point the roof could blow off.

 

[johneh]

ou dont have to strip it

Ask any roofer Do Not put a new roof over moss . It holds moisture and will rot the wood deck
faster than you can say should have done it right the first time

 

[peakbagger]

And how does the moisture get in there? I agree its not ideal but realistically once there is a good membrane in place above the moss it will quickly die and dry out.

 

[moresnow]

Better strip the existing shingles/vegetation off. Save it correctly now. I am a steel roof guy. One and done. I did waay to much shingling when young. Can hardly even look at a bundle of shingles now Looks like a sweet spot to store wood by the way! Good luck.

 

[billb3]

You can't "patch it from inside".

Best bet is to tear off what is there, inspect and replace any damaged sheathing/boards and recover.
Kinda looks like tarpaper and not shingles and if it is leaking it is likely aged and porous and likely crumbling in places.
Hopefully they used lots of seaming tar and very short nails that pop out easy. And there's only one layer.


I had to replace the roof on my house a few years back. Figured small house, how hard could it be.
Started ripping it off and found two layers of shingles and then under that was the original roof of tar paper. A bazillion nails on the seams. Was a real fun project for 95 degree weather in July.

 

[EPS]

Tonight will be moment of truth as we're getting rain. I went the $20, 2 hour approach and tarp covered it. I will 're roof it properly in the next few months, but I don't have time or 500 bucks to spend currently.

Thanks for all the insights