Chalking Lines?

Slyfox

When i run laminates i chalk zero lines as far as the courses go,
only breaking out the chalk line when cutting valleys.

When i run 3-tabs i chalk 20's and sometimes 10's for the courses but don't chalk bondlines, i use a rake or wall " one even - 6" mark for other " and if its a hip i chalk one line and use the 6" mark for the other.

When i run something like Slatelines i'll chalk every course " 17 i think, maybe 17 1/2", have not ran them in along time ".

I run a starter on all eaves and rakes " ole soldier course " and eyeball the rake cuts also " tabs cut off when i use 3-tabs for starters or use Elk starter strips ".

How about you all?

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2ndGen

Depends on the crew. If it's one of my long timers, we dont' chalk. If there are newer guys who we're not used, to, I'll chalk every 5 courses just to keep thing relatively in line. If for some reason they start getting away from me, I'll holler at whoever's coming up along side of me to watch that shingle and they'll correct my line and vice/versa. But generally, we just keep steam rolling over the roof. There are times when I'll just stop (always with a newer member) and I'll rip up a guys work and sit there with him and show him why he went so off course.

Generally, I let the roof tell me what to do. When I was heavily in practice, I could lay out a roof by myself and they'd be all lined up darn near perfectly if I were working alone. I have no problems with chalking today, but back then, my pride got the best of me and I'd struggle to try to be chalkless (thinking it was some sort of crutch for my inability to lay them out straight).

During an apartment complex job (3 tabs), the first job we did, we chalked it. By the 2nd roof, we were a little faster (they were about 120 sq's each). By the 3rd, we got our rythm and were chalkless pretty much.

__________________
"I've been up on the roof. I know what those guys go through.
My whole life has been about making that profession respectable."
Ken Hendricks
www.SolutionsRoofing.com

A W Smith

For three tabs I chalk the starting course then I 6/8/10 to check the roof for square. if it isn't i split the tab difference from one end of the roof to the other. if it is square I chalk off a rake for starter then 29" and 35" which allows for my one inch rake overhang. This of course assumes I don't have an odd measure of tabs (feet) across the entire width of the roof. What I don't want is to end the roof with a tab less than three inches if i can avoid it. if theres a doghouse dormer i run over top of it nailing high and then blue chalk the keys down back to the eave. I haven't sold a three tab in over 10 years though. i sell laminates which I only chalk the starter course. and valley cuts. Do not bring red chalk onto a roof, as any spillage onto the finished roof is indelible and will stay there forever.


one other thing, I make absolutely sure my felt and ice and water is straight. since I don't chalk courses. A few times i may tape off the ridge to check if i suspect somethings off.

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Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com

2ndGen

When I'm at the ridge, I'll send a line down to the eave and reference the rake off of that. If it's "relatively" straight, I'll run it without chalk. If it varies more than 1/2", then I'll chalk for the rake row.

__________________
"I've been up on the roof. I know what those guys go through.
My whole life has been about making that profession respectable."
Ken Hendricks
www.SolutionsRoofing.com

Grumpy

On laminates we do a starter line and our veritcal layout.

I did a job a few years back on a gable addition. I did one side myself and had another shingler on the other side who had just started for me but had a few years of expeirence.

I didn't chalk a single line and my rows were much straighter. I hand nailed the whole thing and he used a gun. I used the guage on my hammer for nearly every shingle. It looked perfect, but took me longer than it should have but hey I only roof a couple times a year anymore.

The customer complained abotu his side and when I looked at it form the gable I knew why, every time they look out their bedroom window they would get dizzy from the waves ~~~~~~~~~~

Hasn't happened since.

2ndGen

Yup...the tool is only as good as the man who wields it.

__________________
"I've been up on the roof. I know what those guys go through.
My whole life has been about making that profession respectable."
Ken Hendricks
www.SolutionsRoofing.com

dougger222

On the roof we finished yesterday if you would have chaulked a line on two of the eaves you would have but way off. From the middle to the ends it bowed in one to two inches.

On laminate roofs only chaulk lines for valleys and on most rake cuts on the right side.

On three tab roofs two lines snapped vertically and thats it. Then again only do a couple three tab roofs per year for builders.

roofwiz74

I'm the same.

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