|
|
|
Removing Old Asphalt Roof Shingles
How to Remove Old Asphalt Roof Shingles and
Not Void New Shingle Warranties
By Mark J. Donovan
|
|
When it’s time to install new asphalt
roof shingles on your home, don’t be lulled in by the roofing contractor who
says he can shingle over the old ones. Yes you might save a few dollars by
leaving the old ones on, however you’ll be shooting yourself in the foot.
Removing old asphalt roof shingles is critical for not voiding the warranty on
the new shingles. Also, asphalt shingles weigh a lot and by shingling over the
old ones you put the roof framing under significant structural stress. An
average home’s roof, with just a single layer of shingles on it, can weigh
anywhere from 1 to 2 tons.
|
|
Removing old asphalt roof shingles is
also easy to do and doesn’t take much time at all, so the added cost of removing
them should be minimal, if you are not being gouged by a roofing contractor.
How to Remove Old
Asphalt Roof Shingles
Prior to removing old asphalt roof
shingles place a large nylon tarp on the ground where you plan to throw the old
shingles off the roof. This way you can be sure to not leave any roofing nails
on the lawn. It’s also a wise idea to rent a dumpster and have it positioned
fairly close to the house, and if possible preferably right near one of the roof
eaves. This way you can throw the old asphalt roof shingles directly into the
dumpster.
|
|
The key tool for removing old asphalt
roof shingles is a shingle scraper. It is effectively a flat bladed shovel that
has large teeth on the end of it. It also has a heel attached to the bottom of
it to act as a lever to help pivot the shingle scraper against the roof and lift
the shingles off of it. The shingle scraper also does a fairly good job of
removing the roofing nails in the process, however you’ll still find yourself
using a claw hammer to remove a few nails. To use the shingle scraper just shove
the end of the scraper up under the shingles and rock and lift it a bit to pull
up the old asphalt roofing shingles.
|
|
After removing the bulk of the old
asphalt roof shingles, go back and use a claw hammer to remove any roofing nails
and bits of old asphalt shingles still attached to the roof. Also remove all of
the old roofing paper, drip edge, and old and worn out metal flashing around
vent stacks.
Once the roof is completely free of the old asphalt roofing shingles, inspect
the roof sheathing for any rot or damage. Replace any sections of roof sheathing
that have any visible rot, warping, buckling, or damage.
|
 |
With the roof bare of the old shingles and the roof sheathing patched up where
necessary, you can now begin the installation of the new asphalt roofing
shingles.
|
Find a Qualified Roofing Contractor in Your Area |
|
Get Free Quotes. Easy, Quick and No
Obligations!
For the home improvement or home remodeling project that is
too big for you, check out our partner
NeedContractor. They are a national
resource for finding pre-screened, insured, and licensed home improvement and remodeling contractors in your local area.
|
|
|
Get Matched in 48 hours with Roofing
Contractors! |
Asphalt Shingle Roofing Calculator
How to Finance your Roof Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
|
Roofing Tools
from Amazon.com
Roofing Price Quotes For FREE,
No Obligation!
Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote
on roofing from one of our prescreened and licensed roofing contractors. This
process is free and there is no obligation to continue once you receive your
roofing price estimate.
| |
|
