It doesn’t matter if you are a professional roofer or just getting started, you need the right equipment and supplies to get a job done properly. The problem is that it can be difficult to determine exactly what you need, so we’ve done the research and will share our findings with you in this article!
The equipment needed to do a roofing job includes protective gear, cleanup materials and tools used for tearing off the old shingle-style roof and installing asphalt ones instead. However, to understand exactly what you need and why it’s important, continue reading. We will explain why each tool made our list of key items, so that you have a clear understanding.
Pickup Truck or Dumpster
To lay new material on your roof, it’s usually best to remove any damaged or old materials first. In order to properly dispose of your waste, you need a place to put it. Make sure that any receptacle is easy for you—and other people who may come in contact with it (e.g., children)—to avoid being injured by debris falling out of the container or spilling onto the ground when full.
If it’s a large job, like renovating your basement or garage, you might want to rent or buy a dumpster. However, some roofing contractors use the bed of their pickup trucks as a temporary dumping ground for old materials and also to haul them away. No matter what you choose, it’s important to choose a receptacle large enough to accommodate all of the waste you produce, so that you don’t have to make multiple trips while working.
Pry Bar
This tool looks like a crowbar and is useful for prying off old shingles. A pry bar can be used to extract nails in specific locations, unlike a tear-off shovel which removes entire shingles.
Being able to isolate the singles you rip off will allow you to complete your renovation project a lot more easily. By tearing off only those spots that need repair, you will use less material and spend less time on the job. The pry bar is also useful in removing shingles when you have to reach areas that are hard to access, like the underside of a roof.
Tear-Off Shovel
There are different types of shovels that Florida roofers might prefer to use because each has a particular purpose. One of them is a tear-off shovel, a special tool that makes it easier to remove old shingles. They are equipped with razor-sharp steel teeth that can be used to tear shingles off an existing roof.
Tear-off shovels also make it easier to scoop old shingles into the dumpster. If you get a good ergonomic shovel, it will have an angled handle that reduces your bending and squatting, which will do its part to save your spine in the long run!
Safety Goggles
This is an important and often overlooked consideration. When tearing off old shingles, you run the risk of getting hit in the eye with nails and wood splinters if you’re not protected. It is important to wear safety goggles throughout the entire job in order to protect your eyes from any of these dangerous stray materials.
Hard Hat
The hard hat, like other safety equipment, is crucial for your protection during a roofing job. If you don’t have one on hand when doing a DIY project at home—and it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to find one there anyway—you should go purchase one from the hardware store or big box retailer nearest where you live.
If you have a team of roofers working with your company or if you run a roofing business, provide them all with hard hats to protect their heads during the job. Be sure that these are OSHA-approved hard hats.
Harness
Falling off the roof is hazardous to your health and can cause serious injury. In fact, you should consider wearing a harness or personal fall arrest system (PFAS) while working on steep pitches, just in case something goes wrong and you slip. Although it’s not always a regular practice for roofers, this is one of those times when it really pays to be careful!
When looking for a harness, make sure it’s OSHA-approved both for you and your team. The OSHA requirement is that every roofer wear a PFAS if there is any chance of them falling more than 6 feet—and in general, that will apply to all the roofs you ever work on.
Do not let your guard down when you are working on a project. Don’t scrimp on safety equipment; rather, invest in top-quality gear that is OSHA approved so that you can feel confident while doing so.
Roofing Shoes
Roofers often wear steel-toed shoes to protect their feet from potential injury. You can be injured by dropping a hammer, nail gun (or any other tool) directly on your foot, but you also need to be careful not to damage the roof while you work.
Heavy-duty shoes and really hard plastic soles could damage soft shingles. Look for something in between these two extremes—your safety is a top priority, but you also want to be conscientious of the work that’s involved when repairing your roof.
When you go shopping for new shoes, be sure to choose something with really good tread. Since most roofing jobs require walking on an angle, and you don’t want a shoe that will slip! A little online research will help ensure that your purchase is the right choice.
Hammer
To secure your roofing nails, you will need to drive them into place with a hammer. The type of hammer that is best for this purpose depends on the job at hand; many roofers prefer a hatchet-style model because it’s lightweight and easy to use
A hatchet can remove shingles and other debris, providing a cutting/scraping function. It also makes a great safety device if you start to slip: simply bang the sharp side against the roof to dig in and catch yourself. And, most importantly, it can also hammer nails into the roof!
Tarps
There are many reasons to keep tarps on hand during a roofing project. In addition to protecting the structure from rain, you can also use them to cover any holes or bare spots in order prevent water damage until they can be removed and replaced with new materials.
You should also use tarps to protect landscaping and catch stray nails, shingles, and other debris. Placing tarp on ground around your work area will make clean-up life much easier when it time comes for that task.
Roofing Knife
Roofing knives are used for cutting shingles to fit spaces between roof timbers. While you could use a utility knife or some other blade, the extra weight and length of a roofing knife gives it an edge over other options.
These knives are strong enough to cut through thick asphalt shingles. They can also be used to cut roofing underlayment, as well flexible or soft materials like canvas and polyethylene. Most of them even have hooks near the edge, which help you keep it steady when cutting a straight line on thicker materials like hardwood floorboards.
Conclusion
Roofing can be a really enjoyable and rewarding experience if you prepare ahead of time—so make sure you have all the things you need before getting started. Nothing ruins a job faster than running back to the hardware store because something is missing! Although detailed planning is an initial inconvenience, it will lead to a more successful outcome.
