And Done!

First, the backstory. Eleven years ago we ripped down our 10 x 34 deck...right down to the I-beam. We replaced it with a slightly larger footprint (12 x 34) and erected a roof over half the deck, complete with three skylights and the homeowner association-approved cedar shake shingles. And, I do literally mean "we". There were only two things we had to contract out: an architect to provide plans for the deck roof and a welder to add reinforcement to the I-beam to support the roof. After it was finished (and I can't remember just how many weekends we worked on it, but it was at least 12), we ordered wicker furniture from North Carolina and enjoyed it for many, many summers thereafter.

Two years later the association had all the townhome roofs replaced with dimensional asphalt shingles, but "grandfathering" our roof for its life. We thought for sure that we wouldn't have to get out on that roof  again in our tenure here! Unfortunately it was a sticking point for the sale of the townhome; the buyers wanted the deck roof re-shingled. They got an estimate and asked for a $1300 credit on the sale price. We priced out the shingles and knew we could save $1,000 if we did it ourselves.

So, on the Friday afternoon before Memorial Day we started pulling off the shake...the perfectly good shake, I might add! The next step was to clean up the surface, removing old felt paper, nails and staples.

All the new shingles and felt paper were staged in our bedroom and passed out through the windows. We had sold both of our long ladders so there was no other way to get 640 pounds of shingle up to the deck roof except up two flights of stairs!

By noon on Saturday Bill was ready to start laying shingles, working from the bottom of the 17 x 12 roof up toward the house. By quittin' time it was about 45% complete.

On Sunday Bill pushed himself to finish it so that we could salvage part of the holiday weekend and spend the night on the boat. The last hour was an effort...the temperature was pushing 90...and his cigar was just a stub. Finally, after 22 man hours of hot work ... voila!

Here's hoping the garbage man doesn't keep on going after he sees this:

Our buyers' last requested action item to close the inspection contingency is finished. The wicker furniture has been sold. And done!