Remove roofing felt - how to proceed

Many people lay bitumen sheeting in order to protect the flat or pitched roof from penetrating water. If the roofing felt has already served its purpose for some time, however, it may be necessary to remove the old cardboard from the free roof inspection san antonio and dispose of it. But what is the best way to remove stuck or welded roofing felt? What costs have to be budgeted for removal and disposal when hiring a professional roofer? Does the roofing felt have to be completely removed from the roof or can a new layer simply be laid over the old roofing felt? In today's guide, we will give you the answers to all the questions you might ask yourself when you want to remove your old roofing felt.

When is it necessary to remove old roofing felt?

The bitumen sheets are exposed to the weather and must therefore be replaced after a few years. In particular, if you have laid the old tar paper in your garden, it must be removed. The tar paper is dangerous for the environment and health, which is why it is also important to dispose of it properly.


In addition, it may be necessary to completely remove the old roofing felt if wind, UV radiation, and rain have affected it in such a way that irreparable damage has occurred. It is sufficient if the insulating layer is only partially damaged so that there is no longer any protection against moisture. If water penetrates the roof structure, the wood begins to go moldy. In the worst case, the entire roof will have to be rebuilt.

As a layperson, you are right to ask yourself whether the damage still needs to be removed or whether the entire roofing felt needs to be removed. Mostly it is not visible to the naked eye how great the damage is. We, therefore, recommend hiring a professional roofer who can analyze and repair the existing damage. It is worth comparing the various offers from roofers.

Unfortunately, the removal is associated with a great deal of effort and time. In particular, welded or glued roofing felts adhere very strongly to the subsurface, which is why brute force is not infrequently required when removing. With the right technology and our tips, you will still be able to remove the roofing felt from your roof.

Remove stuck roofing felt: this is the easiest way to do it

To make the distance a little more comfortable, you need appropriate devices. There are several ideas and approaches that can make removing roofing felt easier. In general, remember that roofing felt is heavy and bulky, which is why it is often difficult to dispose of. It is best if you have at least one helper at your side.

Materials and tools required

Before you can start removing the roofing felt, you will need a few tools and supplies. The following list gives you a good overview of which tools you should have ready:

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Option 1: Removal of the roofing felt with a scarfing device

A scarfing device is a special welding device for bitumen sheeting. Since it is not worth buying such a device for a single-use, you should ask your hardware store whether there are scarfing devices to borrow. Use it to heat the bitumen sheet at the beginning and pull off the individual sheets with a lot of force. It works best if you always warm the region that is below the raised edge while peeling. This will save you a lot of effort when removing the strips.

Option 2: use a stripper

If the roofing felt cannot be removed despite the scarfing device or if you want to save a lot of work, you can use a so-called stripper. It is also used in professional roofing companies. Some companies offer such devices for hire.

Alternatively, a roofer can remove the roofing felt

In most cases, it is worth hiring a professional to remove the roofing felt. He also takes care of the disposal and laying of the new bitumen sheeting. A professional roofer will most likely use a roof stripper to remove it. With this device, the edges are cut apart and thus separated from each other. Roofing companies also use welding equipment less often. A roofer does not need a lot of time to remove the roofing felt because he can look back on many years of experience and brings the appropriate tools with him. Therefore you do not incur any immense costs for the professional removal of roofing felt.

Conclusion

In some cases, removing the roofing felt from the roof cannot be avoided. This applies, for example, if you still have old tar paper, which is harmful to health and the environment, on the roof. The removal is usually associated with a great deal of effort and time. Sometimes the roofing felt can also be repaired without any problems and does not have to be completely replaced. For this reason, consult an expert if in doubt. He will also help you with the proper disposal of the old roofing felt.