Most roofs last between 15 and 20 years.
One of the most common home improvements is replacing your roof. The average life of a shingle roof is between 15 and 20 years. In some cases you can replace the shingles. But most of the time, the entire roof, shingles and substrate, must all go. This is called a tear-off roof replacement. In addition to making safety a priority, you'll need several tools to complete your own tear-off roof project.
Ladder
Step one of the your tear-off roof project is to get up on the roof in the first place, for which you'll need a good quality ladder. Ladder quality is not the place to skimp on a roofing job. The ladder will see a lot of work and will need to stand up to the abuse it may receive. Depending on the height of your roof, you may need an extension ladder. Use a ladder that has good quality footings, preferably ones that can dig into the ground for ultimate safety.
Dumpster
As low-tech as it sounds, a dumpster is one of the most important tools you'll have on your tear-off roof project. The debris from a tear-off roof is considerable. You'll have old shingles, old underlayment, nails and whatever else you may find beneath your roof shingles. Keeping a dumpster on site makes the cleanup and removal nearly effortless.
Pitchfork
A pitchfork is the perfect tool for a tear-off roof project. Simply slide the tines of the pitchfork beneath a shingle, lift, and listen for the nails to pop out of the underlayment. You can also use the pitchfork to scoop up piles of shingles and fling them into the dumpster.
Heavy-duty Gloves
A tear-off roof project presents several hazards to your hands. Shingles themselves have sharp, jagged edges. The gypsum crystals are also abrasive. Loose nails, jagged underlayment, wood shims--all can tear skin and puncture hands. Wear a good pair of heavy-duty work gloves at all times during a tear-off roof project.
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