Replies

1. 
   MikeK | Apr 25, 2006 07:03am | #1

   You need a SHINGLE RIPPER (I think that's what they call it).

   It's a long flat bar with a hooked end used for pulling nails out behind the shingles.

   It's a pain in the #### to get all the nails out. If you only have a few shingles to replace it's not too bad. If you have a high percentage of shingles to replace it's easier to rip them all out.

1. 
   rfarnham | Apr 25, 2006 08:15am | #2

   Thank you! The only term I could find was roofing iron. Found a shingle ripper I can buy with a quick search.Now for installing the new ones...An old post here suggested holding the new shingle out 1/2 inch, driving nails with a 45 deg upward angle, then driving the shingle all the way in. Supposedly this will pull the nails up where they should be and will only require a few taps with a hammer on a flat bar (or the ripper) to fully set the nails. Is this what you do? Are there other/better methods. This repair is on a steep pitched roof (and some sidewall) in a wet climate, so I would prefer to get the nails hidden.-Rich

1. 
   Piffin | Apr 25, 2006 08:46am | #3

   shingle thief is the eterm 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   MikeSmith | Apr 25, 2006 01:05pm | #4

   use the shingle theif to pull them out...

    only the last course gets nailed with the 45 deg. angle , then drive the butt up, which straightens the nail and hides it under the course aboveMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   rfarnham | Apr 25, 2006 05:56pm | #5

   Thanks, everyone. Sounds like the upward driven nails is the answer. We'll give it a shot.-Rich

3. 
   Stuart | Apr 25, 2006 06:17pm | #6

   It may be the one you've already found, but Harbor Freight sells a shingle ripper for not much money.  I bought one a few years ago to replace some shingles on my house and it worked well enough.