Two: Ensure That The Materials For The New Roof Are Ready And On
Off with the old, and on with the new, right? This is a fairly obvious step in tearing shingles off a roof, but, occasionally, an eager homeowner may not plan ahead and get him/herself into an awkward situation. The obvious step is this: Make sure you have the materials and labor for your new roof all delivered, arranged and ready to install before you start ripping off your old roof.
Whether you intend to install the shingles yourself, or have contracted with a roofer, you dont want your roof deck left exposed after the tear-off so, plan ahead for the new roof to go on immediately. This may take a bit of fine-tuning to work around unfavorable weather forecasts and possible delays in the tear-off process.
Fitting Deck Protection And Leak Barriers
Before you apply your roofing shingles, start by putting on a layer of deck protection material, with the most common being the roofing felt. Roofing felt uses asphalt as its protective material, as an alternative to tar. Next, ensure your contractor uses the leak barriers wisely to safeguard your roofs high-risk areas.
Figure A: Complete Roof Tear
Step 1 Position the trash container for easy loading. If youre able to position it directly under one of the lower eaves, youll save extra work by dropping debris directly into it. Put old sheets of plywood under the wheels to protect your driveway.
Step 2 Cover foliage near the house with reinforced plastic tarps to catch debris for easy cleanup. Lean sheets of plywood against walls to protect windows and doors, siding and electrical fixtures.
Step 3 Remove the old shingles with tear-off shovels. It doesnt matter where you start or stop. Work from the top, bottom and sides to save back muscles. Clean the roof with a push broom and remove or pound in any remaining fasteners. Besides being tripping hazards, they can work through and damage the new shingles.
Step 4 Cut ice and water barrier to about 8-ft. lengths, remove the backing and adhere the sticky side to the roof sheathing along eave edges. Overlap ends at least 6 in. Code usually calls for it to project at least 2 ft. up the roof past the exterior walls, so you may need two rows on homes with wide soffits. Staple down the felt with 5/16-in. staples every few inches along lapped joints and every 6 in. or so in the open areas between rows.
Step 5 Felt right over ventilation holes. Prevent accidentally stepping through the camouflaged holes by covering them with tacked-down scraps of plywood. Snap shingle layout lines and nail down lath for wind protection.
Read Also: How To Extend A Roof
Four: Gather Your Tools A Square
If you want to remove old asphalt shingles yourself, you can try using a standard square-edged shovel to tear them off but the best device is a modified shovel-type tool, specifically designed for this purpose. It has a serrated front edge to grab under the nails, and a raised foot on the back to add leverage to make it easier to tear off roof shingles. Thats the key tool youre going to need, and you likely dont have one in your shed, all the more reason to hire a professional.
Besides the roof-stripping shovel tool, youll need things like a broom, some good work gloves, safety googles, a ladder and a smaller pry bar or hammer for those stubborn nails and flashing bits. Youll also need some tarps and/or sheets of plywood. Oh, and you should call your friends, all of them theyll come in handy when you realize this involves a lot of effort.
How To Remove Old Asphalt Shingles Before Putting On A New Roof
Removing asphalt shingles is a big job, and you might be temped simply to lay the new roof over the old one. In some cases, you can get away with that, but if your roof already has two layers of shingles or the existing ones are in seriously bad condition, you’ll have to strip them off. Only attempt this job yourself if you have experience working on roofs and you know how to use the necessary safety equipment. Depending on the pitch of your roof, this might include harnesses, scaffolding or ladder hooks.
1.
Position a construction trash bin beside the building. Set it up so that loose singles can slide down the roof and into the bin.
2.
Rig a ladder and your safety equipment that is suitable for your roof. If you’re not familiar with how to do this, hire a professional to remove the shingles for you. Put on heavy work gloves, and make sure there is no one on the ground around the house who could be hit by flying shingles and nails. If you have helpers on the ground, have them stand clear.
3.
Climb onto the roof with a shingle scraper. Beginning at the peak, slide the scraper under the top layer of shingles and pry them off. Push them down the roof so they fall into the trash bin.
5.
Examine the roof for remaining bits of shingle and loose roofing nails. Use a rip claw hammer to remove nails holding down bits of shingle, and push the debris off the roof.
References
You May Like: Large Overhang Roof
How Long Will A Wood And Asphalt Roof Last
If you decide to get a roof with shingles, your next dilemma would be which material to get. Do you go for asphalt or wood shingles?
If you only have a vague idea of these two, you might think that wood shingles are a poor choice. After all, we mentioned that wood can rot when exposed to water. But, did you know that wood shingles can last for decades, even outlasting some types of asphalt shingles?
Wood shingles, known to be difficult to install, are made of natural wood. They can last for as much as 50 years if properly cared for and installed in areas that dont get extreme weather conditions. On average, you can expect them to survive for around 25 to 30 years.
Depending on the type used, asphalt shingles may or may not last longer than wooden shingles. The composite type, which is the most commonly used asphalt shingle, can last for a minimum of 10 years to 20 on average, with those of the best quality even having a 50-year lifespan.
Another type of asphalt shingle is the architectural shingle. It is virtually the same as the typical asphalt shingle they only differ due to the fact that architectural shingles have an added layer or tab to it, making it thicker than the composite type. This thickness makes it a bit more durable, resulting in a lifespan of 30 years on average.
Whether you use wooden or asphalt shingles, you can expect them to last decades, especially if you have them regularly maintained.
Tips For Removing Roof Shingles
- Written by Darren Spears on Jul 20, 2010To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.Reviewed by
If you have lived in your home for 20 years or so and not replaced your roof shingles, now may be the time to take it under consideration. Generally, shingles have a life span of 15 to 20 years before they begin to deteriorate. Replacing them within the time frame of the lifespan will allow you to take a proactive approach to prevent any leaks to your roof. Use these tips to remove those old shingles from your roof.
Read Also: Skylight For Metal Roof
Shingles Blew Off The Roof What Caused It
We have the expectation that roofs, including its parts and accessories, are sturdy and weatherproof. That nothing can easily knock them down.
Imagine the surprise of homeowners who never expected the shingles of their roof to suddenly go missing after a particularly windy day.
Before addressing the problem, you should know why your shingles got blown off in the first play to avoid any possible repeat of this experience.
To start with, shingles are normally attached in one of two ways: either using an adhesive strip or roofing nails. Some even choose to do both.
Adhesive strips are placed on the back side of shingles, particularly at the bottom part. This part is then stacked to the upper part of the shingle below it, resulting in a tight seal for the connected shingles and it makes it harder for water to enter in-between them.
Roofing nails come with heads that are wide and flat and have short bodies with pointed ends. These nails are then hammered to the shingle and roof decking without causing damage to it.
Any of these two methods will secure your shingles. But, why do they still fail to stay put on your roof? Here are the most common reasons:
- Installation is done incorrectly since they are poorly secured, any strong gust of wind is enough to separate a loose shingle from the roof. Nailing strips are there for a reason and unlicensed installers and DIYers often make the mistake of putting the nails above it, not on it.
How To Remove And Prevent Black Algae Stains On Asphalt Shingle Roofs
If you live in a humid area of the country, youve probably seen unsightly dark streaks on asphalt shingle roofs. Though often attributed to an accumulation of dirt, defective shingles, mold, or mildew the most common culprit is actually a blue-green algae known as Gloeocapsa Magma that is spread by airborne spores.
While algae growth does little harm to roofing, the stains dont help the overall appearance or resale value of your home.
You may also have noticed that algae stains are absent directly below the metal flashing around chimneys or roof vents. This is due to fact that copper and the zinc coating on galvanized sheet metal are toxic to algae. Every time it rains, trace amounts of metals are washed down the roof, inhibiting algae growth.
Don’t Miss: Cutting Roof Trusses
Tips For Installing Zinc Or Copper Strips
When installing the metal strip its crucial that you do not use nails to hold it in place this will cause leakage when rain drips down along the nail and through the roof structure. Its also essential to ensure the zinc or copper strips are lying thin and as close to the roof as possible, to prevent warping. When warping occurs, the area of the roof beneath it does not get treated by the strips because instead of running directly down the roof, it runs along the strip to a less warped area.
Whichever method you choose, its important to look at other factors that cause moss growth and try to remove these. For example, trimming overhanging trees and bushes will remove shade which moss needs to grow, and moving any satellite dishes to areas that wont create shade. The more sunlight your roof is exposed to, the less shade and moisture will be present, so the less likely moss is going to grow.
Dont forget, for any roofing queries, questions or products our experts are here to help just give us a call on 01752 692 760.
Will A Roof Leak If The Shingles Are Blown Off
Holes on the roof will definitely result in leaks. But, how about shingles that have gotten loose and fell off?
This is a question that a lot of homeowners ask themselves, especially if there are only one or two missing roof shingles. So, is it something you need to worry about?
The answer to that is YES, especially if the shingles do not overlap.
But, how soon it will start leaking will vary.
Roof shingles are normally installed over roofing felt, and this can provide some temporary protection in case a shingle or two has been blown off. This is not strong enough to withstand water for long periods. Even with roof felting in place, water can also make its way between the felts seams, resulting in leaks.
A shingle that fell off can also start a series of chain reactions, starting with the shingles beside its original place. An empty spot makes the surrounding area vulnerable to strong bursts of wind, which may cause other shingles to become loose or get damaged.
And, if you decide to forego the installation of roofing felt, which is something you really dont want to do, roof leaks will happen sooner than you think.
Also Check: Roof Replacement Cost California
Signs Of Wind Damage On Asphalt Shingle Roofs
Some signs of roof wind damage are more obvious than others. After a severe weather event, significant wind damage to a roof may be highly visible, such as:
- A puncture from afallen tree limb
- Large swatches ofexposed underlayment where shingles have been blown off
- Mangled or missingsections of flashing, or
- Missing hip and ridgeshingles
Other signs may be subtler, but you can spot them if you know what to look for both indoors and out. As always, keep safety in mind with anything you do and wear appropriate protective gear. If you are unable to safely check your homes exterior or interior for signs of roof damage, please contact a professional roofing contractor.
Install Deck Protection & Starter Shingles
Now it’s time to install the roof deck protection. These roof components act as a weather-proofing and protective barrier between your house and the elements, helping keep water and cold temperatures out.
- Drip edge at the eves. Start by laying roof deck protection, or shingle underlayment, over the decking . Use chalk lines to determine where you’ll lay them.
- Using your cap nails, secure the deck protection to the roof. Overlap each row at least 3 to 4 inches. If you live in an area with inclement weather, you should consider using a special leak barrier protector.
- Then, install new flashing and starter shingles at the edges.
- Nail the drip edge in place using your hammer and roofing nails. Always install flashing around a chimney and other valleys where two roof planes meet as these areas are more prone to leaks if not protected.
Tip: When installing deck protection, work from the bottom to the top of the roof.
Don’t Miss: Cost Of New Roof California
Loose Or Missing Shingles
If more than one shingle is loose or actually missing, that could be a sign of a general shingle problem. Maybe it was caused by extreme weather, but your shingles also might be improperly installed or getting too old. Either way, your attic and other interior areas could be vulnerable to water damage.
Thats why you must replace loose shingles quickly. We recommend hiring a professional since this is a dangerous and complicated job. You dont need to put yourself in a potentially hazardous environment when roofers are trained for it. You dont want to apply it incorrectly and create more problems!
If you are located in Northwest Indiana, contact DMG Exteriors to fix your loose shingles. We will install shingles that can withstand 130 mile-per-hour winds and include an inflation-adjusted lifetime warranty and advanced protection technology.
Strip The Roof Start At The Peak Using Roofing Tear Off Tools
Start the tear-off at the section farthest from the trash container. Standing at the peak, use a garden fork or a specially notched roofing tear off shovel to tear away the ridge caps and the top courses of shingles.
Some roofers prefer forks because they don’t get caught on nails, making it easier and faster to remove the shingles. Others like the tear off shovels because they pull out more nails with the shingles. Work the fork under the ridge caps, prying them loose. As they come loose, allow them to slide down to the roof jacks. Or, if they don’t slide down the roof, carry them to the edge of the roof and throw them into the trash container.
Recommended Reading: Skylight In Metal Roof
Signs Of Raccoons Living On Your Property
These are some of the common signs of raccoons either living somewhere on your property or making a habit of scavenging around your property for food:
- Trash from garbage bins strewn around your driveway or yard.
- Garbage or recycling bins with bite or scratch marks around the lids.
- Garden beds with homegrown fruits and vegetables that are damaged and eaten shortly before harvest.
- Raccoon tracks around your yard or other areas of your property. The shape of their prints is similar to that of a small human hand, just two to three inches long, with sharp, pointed claws at the tips of each finger.
- Holes in your lawn or portions of grass that have been torn or dug up .
- Scratching or bumping sounds coming from inside the walls, ceiling or some other area of your home, attic or garage this could indicate the presence of raccoons or some other rodent or wild animal that has built a den.
Whether youre experiencing signs of a raccoon outside of your home or within your walls, its crucial to take action as quickly as possible, as they are a liability to your home and your health.
Wear A Safety Harness
Use a safety harness system to prevent falls. Wear shoes with soft rubber soles for a good grip and long pants to protect against the skin-scraping shingles. Just to reiterate, working on a roof is dangerous, so be sure to take these precautions:
- Set roof jacks and a 2×10 about 3 ft. up from the roof edge.
- Wear a safety harness , which you can buy at safety equipment stores and some roofing and home centers.
- Wear soft rubber-soled shoes for traction, long pants to protect your legs, work gloves, safety glasses and have the proper roofing tear off tools.
Recommended Reading: How Much Roof Overhang On Shed
