Handyman Guide > Building Materials: Roofing Materials and Cement

Wood Shingles. Wood shingles make an excellent roofing and can be used as siding over sheathing. Most shingles measure about 16 inches in length, and five thick ends, piled atop one another, should measure 2 inches.

Asphalt Shingles. Asphalt shingles can be purchased individually or in strips containing three or four shingles attached at the butt end. Asphalt shingles are purchased by the bundle, each of which covers 25 square feet.



Roll Roofing. Roll roofing is made out of materials similar to those used in asphalt shingles. The roll is 36 inches wide, and each roll covers 100 square feet. Roll roofing is graded by weight, the heavier giving considerably longer service.

Aluminum Shingles. Aluminum shingles have recently come on the market. They are fireproof and will last indefinitely.

CONCRETE

The home mechanic should master a few principles of mixing and working with concrete. Not only will this knowledge be necessary in doing many kinds of repairs about the house, such as pointing up masonry and repairing concrete walks, but with a little practice and patience the amateur will soon find himself building many useful contributions to his home and garden out of concrete. Outdoor fireplaces, garage floors, and garden pools are all within the range of the amateur concrete worker.

Concrete is one of the least expensive building materials, and the beginner can experiment without fear of wasting a great deal of money. Experience is necessary before a high-grade job can be done, and the beginner should not feel discouraged if his first attempts do not turn out as expected.

Portland Cement. Portland cement is the basic ingredient for all concrete and mortar. Cement is the portion of the mixture that binds the other materials together into a strong, water-tight composition. "Portland" is not a trade name. It refers to the type of cement in general use throughout the world. Cement is sold in bags weighing 94 pounds and filling 1 cubic foot. Cement may be purchased in different colors, and this should be remembered when a job requires several bags. Use the same color cement for the entire project to avoid differences in color in the final result.

Cement should be stored in a dry place, particularly after the bag has been opened and moisture can reach the cement inside.

Fine Aggregate. The next ingredient used in making concrete is sand, called "fine aggregate." The sand must be sharp, and free of dirt, clay, or vegetable matter. Sand from ocean beaches is not satisfactory because it contains salt. Test the sand for purity by placing a small amount of it in a glass of water and stirring it. Let the sand settle to the bottom of the glass, and if the water is only slightly discolored, the sand is clean enough to use. Do not expect to obtain good results from concrete if the sand is dirty.



Coarse Aggregate. The third ingredient for concrete is crushed stone or pebbles. This material is called the "coarse aggregate," and ranges in size from 112 inch to 2 inches, depending upon the job for which it is to be used. When working on a thin wall, the size of the coarse aggregate should not be more than one-third the thickness of the thinnest section of the wall. The coarse aggregate must be as clean and free of any impurities as thc sand.

Water. Pure water completes the list of materials needed for making concrete. A good rule to follow is to use only water fit for drinking to mix with cement. Dirt or other matter in the water will produce inferior concrete just as readily as dirt in the fine or coarse aggregate. Salt water should never be used.

Cement, fine and coarse aggregate, can all be purchased at lumber yards or from masons' supply houses. While it is possible for the home mechanic to screen his own sand and gravel, this task requires considerable time if it is to be done thoroughly. Clean sand and gravel can be purchased either by the square yard or by the pound, and the cost is comparatively slight.


Continue to Mixing Concrete



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The Workshop
Equipping the Workshop - Heating - Fire Precautions - The Workbench - Saw Bucks - Tool Rack.

Home Construction
Elements of the House - Building Materials - Lumber - Molding - Kinds of Wood and their Characteristics - Plywood Wallboard - Roofing Materials - Concrete - Mixing Concrete - Cement Mortar - Concrete Forms - Concrete Blocks - Cinder Blocks - Bricklaying - Fieldstone - Anchoring in Masonry - Soldering.

Furniture
Upholstered Furniture - Furniture Upkeep - Removing Stains - Removing Dents - Leather Upholstery - Cane Seats - Furniture Repairs - How to Repair Breaks - Levelling furniture - Remodeling Furniture - Polishes and Polishing - French Polishing - Painting Furniture - Sticking Drawers - Metal Furniture.

Painting
Paint Brushes - Storing Brushes - Varnish - Water Paint and Plastic Paint - Types of Paint - Paint Thinners - Mixing Paints - Preparing the Surface - Painting Flaws - Removing Paint - Exterior Painting - Painting New Wood - Repainting - Metal - Interior Painting - Calcimine - Painting Woodwork - Old Wood Trim - Staining - Fillers - Varnishing - Bleaching - Enameling - Painting Radiators - Painting Concrete - Shingles - Stoves and Stove Pipes - Whitewash.

Heating
Home Heating Systems - Chimneys - Coal Furnaces - Fuels - Burning Wood - Furnace Dampers - Starting a Coal Fire - Removal of Ashes - Coal Stokers - Oil Burners - Kerosene Heaters - Thermostats - Boiler Dampers - Fuel Economy - Warm Air System - Steam System - Vacuum System - Hot Water System - Radiators - Boilers - Maintaining the System - Insulating the System - Home Insulation - Storm Windows - Weather Stripping - Insulating Your Home - Blanket and Rigid Insulation - Unfinished Attic and Exterior Walls - Winterizing a Cabin - Preparing the foundation - Winterproofing a Cottage - Fireplaces - Reducing Condensation - Humidity.

Plumbing
The Plumbing System - Fresh water supply - Low Water Pressure - Hot Water System - Hot Water Heaters - Hot Water Tanks - Dirty Hot Water - The Sewage System - Sewage Disposal - Cesspools - Septic Tanks - Clearing Sewer Pipes - Clearing Drains - Plumbing Traps - Toilet Traps - Noisy Plumbing - Leaks in Water Tanks - Frozen Pipes - Clogged Water Pipes - Hard Water - Faucets - Shower Mixing Valves - Leaky Flush Tanks - Flush Valves - Removing Toilet Bowl - Leaky Pipes - Draining the Plumbing - Sealing Traps - Draining the Heating System - Types of Pipe - Insulating Pipes - Water Corrosion - Cleaning Fixtures.

Electricity
Definition of Terms - Ohm's Law - Alternating and Direct Current - Sources of Electrical Power - The Electrical System - Overloading the Circuit - Rewiring - Reading a Meter - Precautions - Fuses - Types of Cord - Splicing Wires - Replacing Plugs and Switches - Home Lighting - Electric Motors - Signaling System - Transformers - Burglar Alarms - Repairing the System - How to Install a Bell System.

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