Essential Tools for Shingle Roof Removal

If your New Jersey shingle roof has begun to age and is regularly requiring more than routine maintenance, it’s time to consider roof replacement.

Experienced do-it-yourselfers may decide to remove the old roofing, themselves, rather than hiring a professional roofer for shingle removal.

If you do opt to remove existing shingle roofing on your own, just remember to gather the correct tools before starting the job.

Safety first

Safety should always come first before you attempt to climb onto your roof’s surface.

We recommend that you acquire one or two sturdy ladders (or scaffolding for extreme heights), along with a fall protection kit. Fall protection kits can be purchased or rented, and typically come with an OSHA-approved harness, roof anchor, counterweight, lanyard and strong rope.

It’s also a good idea to install several roof jacks and planks to prevent a misstep, and to wear slip-proof gloves, a hardhat and work boots.

In addition to safety and accessibility equipment, you’ll need to rent a large dumpster for shingle disposal.

Essential Tools for Shingle Roof Removal

There are also several tools you’ll need to remove shingles and fasteners with ease. They include:

• Roofer’s shovel or shingles scraper: Similar to a flat-blade shovel with pointed teeth and a metal heel, a shingle scraper is designed to slide under the shingle edge. By placing pressure on the metal heel, you can use the tool to pry shingles away from the wood underneath during roof removal. If you purchased your roofer’s shovel, hold onto it. It’s a convenient way to break up ice and remove stubborn tree roots from your landscaping.
• Classic pry bar: The same tool you might use to pull out nails or take apart wood pieces, classic pry bars are smaller and easier to maneuver than a shingle scraper. This is useful if you’re removing broken shingle pieces or rusted nails and fasteners.
• Hammer: For small nails and fasteners that were not pulled out by the roofer’s shovel and pry bar, you may need to use the claw end of a smaller hammer.
• Bar magnet: These handy tools are attached to a sturdy rope, and can be rented from a local hardware store. They are a great way to collect nails and screws that fall off of your roof during shingle removal. Just drag the magnet across your yard and driveway to collect stray metal fasteners that could hurt someone—or deflate a tire.

Roofing Replacement

After removing your roof and disposing of the shingles, you may need the services of a New Jersey roofing expert to install a new metal, shingle or slate roof on your home.

Call LGC Roofing when you’re ready to select the most cost-effective roofing material for your home’s architectural style.

We’ll check the flashing, roof vents, skylights and chimney to make sure they’re structurally sound before attaching your new roofing material – and we offer comprehensive materials and workmanship guarantees.

Call today to schedule your no-obligation roof removal or roof replacement consultation.

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