DIY Updates on the Homestead: New Roof for the Pig Stall

Spring has not quite sprung, but we are already busy updating things around the homestead. We plan to add many new animals to the homestead this spring, so we needed to get a jump on our DIY to-do list to ensure we are prepared.

The first item on our agenda was replacing the roof over the pig stall. When we bought the house last August, we knew there would be a few things we needed to do around the property over time. The stall where we now keep the pigs was well-built - aside from the roof. The main issue was that it was covered in a tarp that was starting to have visible signs of wear (and also just a huge eye-sore for me). But hey, when you're a homesteader, you have to make do with what you have. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is this homestead.

I was pretty excited when we decided to tackle the roof. Not only will it look better, but this will solve the leaks and help keep the bedding dry for the pigs, which is important while we still are experiencing colder weather. After looking at what needed to be replaced under the tarp, and taking measurements, we went to get our supplies. We bought 1x4x8 to replace some of the old or broken runners, corrugated Galvanized Steel 31-gauge Roof Panels, and roofing screws.

Cody and his dad, Mark, are quite handy men, so they already had all of the necessary tools to get the job done. They started by of course detaching the old tarp and taking it down. It was secured in a hodge podge of ways, from roofing tacks to boards that were stacked on top of each other and screwed down. Once the tarp was out of the way, they began removing any old and broken runners. The runners will be what the new roof will be secured to, so you mustn't have rotting wood up there. They were also able to resecure any loose wood.

Next, it was time to put up the paneling. These sheets aren't incredibly heavy, but they wobble and have sharp edges - so handle with care. Unfortunately, Cody and Mark did not and ended up slicing their fingers pretty well on the tin. I had my trusty dusty gloves on to help protect my hands, so I am happy to report I left the scene unscathed. If you're wondering if I actually did any work on this, I will have you know that I had the important jobs of bracing and moving ladders, handing hammers and screwdrivers up the ladders, and handing off supplies like screws and the roof panels. Our pig foreman, Benelli, trotted off to eat acorns, so there is a chance that some OSHA rules were broken.

The guys were able to get the new roof on by lunchtime, so overall this was a relatively quick job to complete. We are very happy with how it turned out and now the stall is ready for more future improvements! Stay tuned!