Out with the old and in with the new! That should be your mantra when it comes to your Columbus roofing system. That is, when your roof is past its prime, you should really consider replacing it. And that doesn't mean simply installing new shingles over old ones, because this method will shorten your roof's lifespan. Instead, you will want to strip away your deteriorating Columbus roofing system right down to the wood and start with a clean "slate." Or asphalt. Or tile. Or whatever your heart desires! This article will tell you all you need to know about removing your old roofing/shingles in a safe and successful manner.

Step 1: Preparation is Key

If you are planning to remove your old Columbus roofing system, you will want to take some time to prepare for the job. First of Roofing Brothers Atlanta , check with your town or building inspector to find out if you will need a permit for the job. After that is settled, you will need to rent a dumpster in order to have a place to discard your old Columbus roofing materials. Have the dumpster positioned on your property in a strategic way, such as under an eave, so that you can easily deposit your old roofing system. It might be a good idea to rent the dumpster for about a week so that you can use it to discard any items leftover from your new roof (such as shingle cut-offs and wrappers). Additionally, you will want to position plywood against the sides of your home in order to protect any windows, doors, siding or electrical fixtures. You should also cover any plants or foliage near your home with plastic tarps. Another key part of preparation is researching what tools you will need for the job and renting, buying or borrowing any that you don't have. Lastly, make sure that you have the proper attire to do the work, including work gloves, rubber soled shoes and a hat.

Step 2: Assemble an All Star Crew

Tearing off your Columbus roofing system is probably not a job you would want to do alone. If you assemble a solid team of about three people, the work will be a lot easier and can actually be completed within one day. Just be sure to not bite off more than you can chew. That is, only tear off the Columbus roofing system if you can protect it/weatherize it at that time. Make sure everyone on the team is on the same page and understands the extent of the job, and be sure to remind them about important safety tips.

Step 3: Keep Safety Tips in Mind

Before getting started with removing your Columbus roofing system, remind yourself of important safety rules. First, wear safety belts and ropes. Remember that you are not like the professional roofers and roofing contractors who have extensive knowledge and experience on their sides. Second, check the weather and pick a day to do the work when you know the roof will be dry. In other words, don't do the work after it has recently snowed or rained. Finally, locate overhead power lines ahead of time and make a mental note to avoid them.

Step 4: Time to Remove the Shingles

After you've done the proper preparation and assembled your crew, it is finally time to get to work removing your old Columbus roofing system. You will need a roofer's shovel, which has a square end that slides under the shingles and pries up nails. Forcefully insert the shovel under the exposed edge of the shingle, making sure the teeth of the shovel are positioned under the roofing nails. Next, twist the shovel in order to pry the nails up and remove the shingle. Continue doing this in rows across the length of your Columbus roofing system. As you remove the shingles, push them off the roof so they don't crowd your work space. Finally, when all shingles are successfully removed, comb through the roof and remove any leftover nails.

Step 5: Don't Skimp on the Clean Up Process

After you have successfully removed your Columbus roofing system, you must focus your efforts on clean up. First, pick up all the fallen shingles around your house and deposit them in the dumpster. Handle them with caution, as they might have nails protruding from them. Cleaning up the shingles is the easy part. The more difficult task is combing through every little part of your property looking for stray nails. Is this really necessary, you ask. Absolutely! Unless you want to risk a person or pet stepping on a sharp, rusty nail in the future or having one ricochet into a window when you use a lawn mower. But don't worry. If you rent a magnetic device, whether it be a magnetic broom or a large bar magnet attached to a rope, the job won't be too tedious; it will help you pick up those pesky little nails.