How to Disassemble a Roof to Move a House

Top Layer

• 1

  Set up a ladder for easy access to the roof and put on a pair of work gloves.

• 2

  Inspect the top layer of roofing to determine how you can remove it. There are two common types of roofing material -- metal roofing panels and shingles -- each of which requires a different removal process.

• 3

  Remove shingles with a claw hammer, pry bar or nail puller. Shingles generally attach to the roof with one or two nails placed at the top of each shingle. Start with the row of shingles closest to the apex of the roof and move down to subsequent layers. Removing shingles in this manner preserves them.

• 4

  Locate the seams on metal roofing panels. Metal panels fit together with interlocking seams and are secured in place with roofing bolts. Roofing panel seams run vertically, from the bottom to the top of the roof.

• 5

  Unlock the seams of the panels. Every brand of metal roofing has different locking mechanisms, which range from clamps to twisting locks. If you cannot find the locking mechanism on the panel, contact the manufacturer and ask for an installation manual.

• 6

  Locate the bolts on the panels, which should protrude through the surface of each panel. Remove the bolts with a drill. Cut away any caulk or sealant between the panels with a utility knife then lift each panel and remove it from the roof by sliding it off or passing it to someone on the ground.

• 7

  Remove all of the shingles with a pitchfork or shovel as an alternative to removing them individually. Place the fork or shovel under the top row of shingles. Push the tool forward to scrape the shingles off the roof. Only use this method if you plan on installing new shingles, after moving the house, as it will effectively destroy them.

• 8

  Pull off all metal panels with a crowbar and mallet as an alternative to removing them individually. Place a crowbar under the top of the first panel and loosen it then do the same for the sides.

• 9

  Pry the roofing panel free of the sheathing beneath it after loosening it. Fold it over the next panel. Smash the seam between the panels with the mallet to weaken the seam if you cannot manually fold the panels. Continue this process until you remove all of the panels. Only use this method if you plan on installing new shingles after moving the house.

• 10

  Locate any flashing, or strips of metal, installed on the roof. If you did not remove these when you removed the surfacing material, first cut away any caulk or sealant with the utility knife then pry them up with the claw hammer.

Backing and Sheathing

• 11

  Look for staples or nails in the roofing layer underneath the surface and on top of the sheathing. This layer may include roofing paper that serves as a backing for shingles or weatherproofing material made of rubber or foam.

• 12

  Remove any nails with the claw end of a hammer, pry bar or nail puller if you intend to keep the underlayment material.

• 13

  Wedge a crowbar underneath the material at one of the bottom corners of the roof if the material is stapled down. Pull up gently on the crowbar to remove the material. Continue pulling up, while walking forward across the roof, to pry up the staples as you go.

• 14

  Roll the material across the roof as if rolling up a mat. Pick the mat up once you've completely rolled it up and hand it down to an assistant on the ground.

• 15

  Rip the material from the roof if you intend on replacing it when you move the house to its new location. Pull the material up with your hands until it comes free then pitch it off the roof.

• 16

  Locate all of the nails in the roof sheathing. Remove the nails with the claw end of a hammer or other tool.

• 17

  Lift one sheathing board from the surface of the roof and pass it down to an assistant on the ground. Repeat until you remove all of the sheathing from the surface of the roof.

• 18

  Pry the sheathing from the roof with the crowbar as an alternative to removing every nail in the boards. Wedge the crowbar into a seam between two sheathing boards and push down to lift one of the boards. Push slowly to avoid breaking the board if you intend on preserving the sheathing. Pry up the sheathing until all of the nails come loose from the roof frame.

• 19

  Continue prying up all sides of the board until it loosens up completely. Pass down the sheathing to an assistant on the ground and be careful as the protruding nails have the potential for injury.

Roof Support

• 20

  Set up a stepladder in your attic so you can easily access the roof framing members. Trusses, joists and rafters are the three primary roof framing members for residential structures. Determine which you have by visually inspecting the roof frame. Trusses assume a triangular shape, rafters consist of large pillars of wood placed at angles and joists are a system of parallel and perpendicular beams. Removing these members is not a necessary step in moving a home -- you can transport an attic with the roof frame intact.

• 21

  Look for the support mechanisms for trusses or joists. Joists, for instance, usually fit into metal brackets located on other, larger beams in the attic. Trusses often attach to similar metal brackets at the juncture of the roof and wall frame.

• 22

  Locate any other point of attachment on roof framing members. Rafters, for example, may be attached to the floor of the attic with metal plates and bolts. Or a roof may have a combination of rafters and trusses, which attach to one another with metal plates and brackets.

• 23

  Remove the trusses, joists or rafters individually by first removing the brackets, bolts or other points of attachment with a drill. Work with a partner, who can help you stabilize each unit as you take it down.

• 24

  Use the drill to remove the bolts or screws for the support mechanisms after removing the main framing units. For instance, joists span the distance between two larger beams. Only remove a larger beam after removing all of the joists attached to it.

• 25

  Continue removing framing units individually until you remove all of them. Take these units out of the attic in one piece -- do not disassemble trusses or joists. Carry them through the home to remove them or pass them from the now exposed attic floor to a helper on the ground.