I am too old for roofing.

[Kingcreek]

I started out saying I was going to save some money. I am now admitting it was more about proving something. What and to who, I’m not really sure.
20x24 outbuilding with a 3:12 pitch, one ridge, pretty generic with asphalt shingles. I built it myself in 1998. Poured the concrete, framed it and finished it. Insulated, electric, windows and doors. All of it.
I was a younger me then.
Needed a roof. No rain in forecast. Tore off one side yesterday then had to quit and get cleaned up for a couple HS graduation parties. Tore off the other side today and cleaned up all the clutter and nails, new drip edge installed.
Now I’m shot out of the saddle between the heat and the pain.
I’m off work until Wednesday and I was unrealistically thinking I could go fishing Tuesday. I’ll get underlayment and rakers on tomorrow before it gets too hot. Shingles will just have to happen as they do.
I’m a 65 year old man with a bad knee on one side and an artificial one on the other, arthritis and degeneration everywhere.
I should have just hired it done and gone fishing. But we had hail and tornadoes this spring and every local roofer is booked out for months.

[French G.]

The flatter roofs like that are the devil. 5 minutes and my back is shot. 48 and I already determined I am too old for roofs. I didn't mind the 12/12 metal roof.

[Tuco]

This reminds me of a quote by the late Casey Kasem, host of the widely broadcast 'American Top 40 Countdown'

"Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for cigars"

Wise words.

[RoadKingLarry]

Pride will bite you in the ass.
It happens to all of us.

[K Frame]

I briefly entertained thoughts of replacing my own roof in 2019 when it needed to be done.

VERY briefly. I don't bounce anymore, I tend to splat.

[HankB]

There's an old adage that I've found generally holds true - "Nearly all projects take longer than you think they should." 

As for timing . . . I wouldn't have started a big project in the morning (even though I knew I wouldn't finish it in one day) if I knew I had to get cleaned up for a social event that same afternoon. I'm very close to your age - though luckily all my parts are original and mostly in working order - but after working all morning and into the afternoon, once I clean up and shower, I really don't feel like doing anything or going anywhere later in the day.

[HeroHog]

"I am too old for..." Most EVERY damned thing! Ok, maybe unwell/unhealthy/unfit would be a better choice of words.

[BobR]

I have found out recently I am pretty damn near too old to get down on the floor. :(


bob

[RocketMan]

I have found out recently I am pretty damn near too old to get down on the floor. :(

bob

I can get down just fine.  It's getting back up that is a real challenge.

[Kingcreek]

Short day today. The 91 degree heat drove me off when the tar paper started getting fragile and tacky.
I hope to not repeat the 3am scream worthy muscle spasms.
When (if) I ever finish this damn thing, I’m gonna burn my tool belt.

[Ben]

I hope to not repeat the 3am scream worthy muscle spasms.

Eat a banana. Seriously. The potassium will mitigate the spasms. I used to get them a lot on cold water work dives when overexerting myself (cramping underwater where you can't yell is no fun). I started eating more bananas and it really helped. Though it did make the superstitious boat captains mad when I brought bananas on board. 

I'm never going on my roof (especially the steep ass one I have now) ever again for anything. Other than a couple of sheds around the place, doing roofing is absolutely out of the question. Roofing is what we have young guys for. 

[JTHunter]

Kingcreek, that was the "music" I had to face decades ago.  I had two discs removed when I was only 17, about a month after I went for my AFEES exam as I was trying to get in the Navy.  After the surgery, I was an automatic "4F". 

[BobR]

I can get down just fine.  It's getting back up that is a real challenge.

There is that. I may be rapidly approaching the time when if I drop something on the floor I will have to decide whether to pick it up or just go buy a new one. 

bob

[HeroHog]

The floor: Just NO!

Potassium/Cramps/Bananas: Too much Potassium will lower yer blood pressure! Ask me how I know.

[Nick1911]

Hydration with appropriate salt and potassium really helps.  I never hydrate enough, I just get heads down and on with the job.

Ouch Speedy, I bet that bled and hurt a lot. 

[HeroHog]

Ouch Speedy, I bet that bled and hurt a lot. 

Pain? BAD headache.
Blood? Looked like an axe murder crime scene!!!
Ambulance rides were had, neck braces and backboards were used,  9+ stitches were applied, good times all around.

[RocketMan]

I generally keep some Gatorade Zero on hand and will drink one at the start or part way through any project where I am likely to sweat profusely.  Otherwise I get killer leg cramps in the evening when I am winding down for the day.

[Kingcreek]

I am good about hydrating. I have a 1 gal Coleman thermos jug with ice water and I drink water every time I climb down for something. I’ll usually drain it twice.
I took it a little easier yesterday but going to hit it harder today.

[HeroHog]

Hydrating is not an issue for me, I always have a drink close at hand! Yeah, it's a Zero Sugar soda (Coke Zero these days) but at least it's wet.

[K Frame]

I am good about hydrating. I have a 1 gal Coleman thermos jug with ice water and I drink water every time I climb down for something. I’ll usually drain it twice.
I took it a little easier yesterday but going to hit it harder today.

Which means that with every drink you take you're diluting your body's salt and electrolytes which you lose through sweating.

You'll get your salt back by eating, but getting enough potassium back is a bit tougher. As others have said, bananas are good, but so are oranges/orange juice.

[RocketMan]

The Gatorade is not about hydrating, it's to replace potassium and other electrolytes that I will lose while working up a sweat.  This pretty much eliminates any cramping later in the evening.
I also keep a large container of ice water filled and handy to the work area just for general hydration.

[Bogie]

My hooptie haus is easy to get up on. Down side is, well, I'm old and fat.
 
I'm going to put a metal roof on it in the next year or two, which shall outlive me.
 
I did a metal one on the workshop. Down side is that one of the crackheads put some of the panels on upside down (with holes in the trough), and I need to plug them with some screws and then paint over 'em.

[HankB]

Which means that with every drink you take you're diluting your body's salt and electrolytes which you lose through sweating.

You'll get your salt back by eating, but getting enough potassium back is a bit tougher. As others have said, bananas are good, but so are oranges/orange juice.

[MechAg94]

That reminds me.  After my Dad retired, he replaced the shingles on his house by himself.  Quite a bit of work.  He said he tied a rope across to use as a life line in case he slipped.  I believe he did it over about 3 weeks, just working on it 2 or 3 hours a day while it was cooler. 

I don't think I would want to do mine and I am still a good bit short of retirement.

[RoadKingLarry]

I had my roof replaced in 2011 (crappy job) and again in 2020. I knew in 2011 I was too old for that *expletive deleted*it at 49.