Basics of a Complete Tear-Off of Existing Roof Shingles

What goes into tearing off of existing shingles? This process is actually quite complicated.

Why not just do an overlay?
For one thing, many building codes outlaw this if you already have multiple layers. However, even if it is allowed it is often better to tear it off.

In some cases, overlayed roof shingles are not as durable (anecdotal evidence, of course). If you are planning on living at the house for awhile, a complete tear off might be the better option. It could also boost the resale of your house down the road.

Should you do the tear off yourself?
It is possible, if you want to save money. However, in most instances you should probably hire a company to do it. It will often go faster and with fewer headaches. Also, you have to get a building permit to do this, which the roofing company would already have.

What process do they use?
Once the company has taken the old roof shingles off, they will look for damage to the roof surface. In many instances tiny leaks can produce big damage to the underlying roof sheathing and the frame.

Then they will go about fixing the damaged or corroded flashing and metal valleys. They will also install an ice and water barrier to stop ice dam issues down the road.

To prepare the roof, they will generally use a special roof shingles tear off shovel. These come with serrated edges which are able to tear up the shingles and also pull out the previous shingle nails simultaneously. The shovels come with a fulcrum welded in the back of the shovel head, in order to pry the materials out.

In many instances they will bring a disposal trash container for the discarded roof shingles. The size of the container is based on how big your roof is, and this will be one of the factors in determining the final price.

How do you pick the best company?
Look for someone that has a good rating with the Better Business Bureau. Also, make sure you get a number of quotes to get a good idea of what you can expect to pay. Once you have narrowed it down, ask the company for past customer references to call past clients and verify they did a quality job for a fair price. 

Conclusion
A new roof will look much smoother on a flat surface as opposed to placed over older and wavy shingles. Therefore, a tear off is often your best option. However, the process is complicated and you will probably want to hire a company to do it for you. Use these guidelines, and you will find the best company to handle the job.