The Problem

A photograph of our roof. Ugly, isn't it? Need I say any more? Perhaps I should.

Our roof is covered in Decromastic tile.

A Decromastic tile is a pressed metal roof tile that has some form of grit glued to it on one side. Our house is an advert for why one shouldn't use these tiles. The grit is falling off, thus fouling the gutters, and the exposed tiles are rusting through. Leaks are springing up all over the place. Thus the ribbon of silver foil down the side of the flashing. These are tiles that need replacing!

But all of the roofing people we have spoken to have declined to accept the job. We have spent months trying to find someone, anyone to replace our tiles. But all we got were outright refusals or fudged and non-committal responses. Our phone calls wen unreturned. No one was interested. Wait - I lie. We did get one quote. From a builder. For $28 000. I priced the materials independently and at least $22 000 of that  quote is either labour or profit.

All I can say is that the roofing industry must be doing well.

The Solution

This is the solution to the problem: Do it our selves. This section is my proof of ability.  I have been labouring on it over weekends, with the aid of a friend. But it was going so slowly. Weekends are our family time. Whenever the sun shines we want to be out, on the beach, hiking in the mountains, exploring forests, etc... Roofing over the weekends was no fun.

But those wonderful guys I used to work for came to my rescue. They decided to close the Wellington development centre. It is true that they offered me a transfer to Auckland. However, for various reasons we all declined this once in a lifetime opportunity. So the very first thing that I am going to do, before I search for more work, before I try to reach for the stars, before I etc..., the very first thing that I am going to do, is to re-roof the house.

2:43:26 PM