Cutting Roof into Squares Before Tearoff
All <!—-><!—-><!—->
We have used this technique many times before but today I had my camera with me. <!—-><!—->
Today we had to tear off a 7/12 pitch roof with one layer of woods and 3 layers of asphalt shingles. We knew from other parts of the roof that the lower 2 layers of asphalt shingles were in bad condition and double nailed. Real pain to tear off.<!—-><!—->
So we decided to cut the shingles with a skill saw 1st. We cut lines in the roof every 18″ vertical and about every 24″ or 30″ horizontally. Then we start at the bottom. We use two tear off tools in tandem. One guy gets the bottom edge started then the next guy drives his tool further up, prys and holds while the 1st guy then moves his tool further up for the final lift.<!—-><!—->
Then we lift the whole square up at one time. One picture shows that almost every nail came up with the square. But that is unusual. <!—-><!—->
They stack nice in the truck this way too. LOL<!—-> <!—->
You have to make a couple of test cuts to fine the depth of cut so that you don’t cut into the old sheathing. It’s best if you just knick it. We save an old saw and are old saw blades for this. Wear safety glasses and stay behind the saw.<!—-> <!—->
I would say we did this section 3x faster this way. We would do a row and then pound in the small nails. Then move to then next higher row.
I’ll copy the 1st picture on to the post for you and then let you open attachments of the other 3.<!—-><!—->
Rich
View Image <!—-><!—->
Replies
Nifty! Is that 1x12 sheathing? Also, I don't see builder's felt. Its code around here for anything but a 12/12.
Arc
We don't have code enforcement here, and they certainly didn't have any idea what code was when this house was built.
Actually there is an early form of tarpaper under the wood shingles. It's usually not done that way. Most all the old roofs didn't have tar paper or felt. Better to let the cedar shingles breathe.
Rich
At the risk of losing cool points, I've never done cedar shingles before. Good point!
I'm so totally with you.
I've been pushing the "gutster" pry bar since getting one--and one more.
The roof I last did--exactly as you here--I cut into 2x2 squares with the 'bad' saw... pried up with the gutster and threw straight into my trailer. Whole tear off took me about 2hrs alone.
Like 'roof brownies.'
Pretty cool - I've never seen that done before.
Unfortunately it would only work if you wanted to take the plywood up too. I wonder if the labor savings would make it worth replacing the plywood.
>>>>>>>>it would only work if you wanted to take the plywood up too.That's cedar shingles he's taking up. There's no plywood on the roof. The asphalt shingles are holding the squares together. Very cool trick.View Image
seeyou
This method is always a time saver. But it's not fun to run the saw.
We have used it numerous times, but one time in particular that I remember the truck could only get into the driveway.
We cut the roof in squares and easily carried sections over to the throw off point.
Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
If the second layer of asphalts has long nails that tends to screw things up.
We just do what works the fastest.
Rich
Boss
Look Mom, no plywood.
Plywood, for roofing didn't exist when this roof was laid. One sheathing board was a 1 x 18" and 16' long. All square nails too.
There had been an earlier wood roof that was torn off. We saw alot of old 5d square nails that had been pounded in or bent over.
Rich
When I posted earlier I missed that it was cedar shingles underneath instead of plywood. But heck - You can't expect me to be intelligent when I'm this good looking.(-:
Big shots are only little shots who kept shooting.
rich...top layer looks " not so bad".... how come this roof is being redone now ?
just curious
Mike
Many layers, exposed rotting wood shingles at the eave, Rotting decking on a 2/12 area, rotten fascia.
They want new siding soon too.
Rich
View Image
Is this the "random keyway" install method??? <G>
BTW, your system ROCKS!The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
david
Thanks.
I have no idea what method they used in this installation.
Probably "Modified farmer".
Rich
That's not random. That's just moving over four inches instead of six.Rich
Mike
More pics of the rotten sheathing.
This is the same house as the bat dropping thread.
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=111413.1
Rich
so i guess the last time they reroofed, they should have stripped then , right ?
anyways.... once in a blue moon, we see a job similar to yiurs... many layers of asphalt over wood shingles... we'll use your method for sure
almost never see them anymore though..
state code only allows a total of two layers.. so the old multi-multi-layer jobs are disappearingMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Mike
Yes they just shingled over a lot of problems.
2 shingle jobs ago they just tore out some rotten stuff and threw down some 1x to build up to the right level again.
I've done that. Can't complain.
We still have alot of one layer of wood (or 2 layers of wood) and multiple layers of asphalt around here.
Rich
Wormdrive or sidewinder?
rez
Sidewinder. Makita. it never dies.
Rich
Excellent tip and pictures Cargin. I don't know if I will ever strip another roof but if I do, I'm using your method. I might make the chunks smaller though LOL!
Why are you wearing all those clothes? It looks cold. Has winter set in already up there?
Why are you wearing all those clothes? It looks cold. Has winter set in already up there?
Can't speak for him, but 130 miles SW of him (Omaha) it was 28F this morning....suspect it was a few degrees colder for him. Ain't winter yet, but it's getting closer...
Jim
That day the high was 38- 40 degrees and that came about 2 PM. We had 25-30 MPH winds and we were working on the north side.
I resisted and didn't put on my coveralls.
Yesterday it was better, low of 16 degrees and high of 52.
Today we are supposed to reach 65. This is almost the last full roof we will do. I say almost because 50 MPH winds on last Sunday will generate some roof work.
Last week we only worked out there Monday and Friday because of rain and cold. It felt like winter last week.
I am hoping for a prolonged fall all the way through November.
The chunks were heavy. Beats picking up litttle chunks.
Rich