What Is the Best Way to Strip a Roof?

Prepare the Area

• Preparing the area makes stripping the shingles easier and less time consuming. Place ladders or scaffolding in positions so workers can easily and safely climb on the roof. Cover landscape plants along the foundations with tarps to protect from falling debris. Gather the hammers, wrecking bars, shovels and forks necessary for the project. From the time the shingle removal begins until the new shingles are in place, the home is vulnerable to rain. Having everything you need organized when you start shortens the period of potential damage.

Position a Container

• The old shingles must go somewhere. Position a dumpster, truck or trailer under one of the eaves of the roof. You want to clear the materials as quickly as possible off the roof to prevent possible tripping or nail puncture injuries for workers. Arrange to have the container taken to the proper disposal site after the project. Most municipalities offer a special landfill for building scrap and demolition materials.

Pry Loose the Shingles

• Use a tool like a shingle scraper to remove the shingles. The shingle scraper resembles a square-blade shovel with teeth on the bottom, which is slid under the shingles before the handle is lifted to pry loose the shingles. Work from top to bottom, prying loose shingles and clearing away the loose debris. If two layers of shingles are present, remove one at a time. Use a garden fork if a shingle scraper is not available.

Clean up the Roof

• The garden fork or shingle scraper removes the shingles but often leaves nails and staples in the roof deck. Make a final check of the decking, pulling all remaining fasteners with a hammer or pliers. After the roof stripping is complete, the roof deck should be bare wood.