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Shingle Roofing Layers
We own a home that has three layers
of shingle roofing. The top one is beginning to look kind of rough and before it gets to
hot and humid I want to re-roof. My question is how many layers is too many? Would four be
totally out of the question? I realize that it would definitely be better to strip it all
and start anew, but this would be much more expensive and time consuming (I have very
little to spare), and it would be much better if I could do this. Can you give me some
honest advice? I have gotten very mixed responses from friends and local contractors.
I would be surprised if you were
getting advice from anyone that said 4 layers is ok. I wouldn't even go 3 layers. So count
me with the folks saying strip it.
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If you can stand on your roof, you
can do it yourself. (steeper pitches are probably too much trouble) Call and have one of
those big dumpsters dropped off in your yard (the closer to the roof the better. Then
using a flat bladed shovel, push all those bad layers off. It is hard work, but no tricks
involved. Now is the time to see how many friends you really have. The more the merrier.
Tearing off old asphalt roofing
In two weeks I will be tearing old
asphalt roofing off a small cottage. What is the best tool to use to remove the existing
material? Some of the roof has three-tab shingles, but most is covered by rolled asphalt
which is nailed down and anchored by generous amounts of tar. Some friends have suggested
using a snow shovel; another friend said I should use a garden pitchfork. Surely, someone
makes a tool designed specifically for this purpose, no?
Believe me, I have torn off more
than my share of shingles. Yes, there are specially made tools for the job, but the best I
have found is a regular potatoe fork. This has between 4 and 6 flat tines. Have fun!!
Or
Get a roofing shovel. They have
teeth and a foot for prying up shingles and nails at the same time. Leave the pitchforks
on the farm...-)
