Roofing tools

You can’t go wrong hiring a qualified professional for a roofing project.  But with a little bit of time and knowledge, and often with the help of a few friends, replacing a roof is a realistic do it yourself project.  If you use the right roofing tools the job can be relatively easy.  Most of the following tools can be found at the local hardware store.

Nothing beats a slate cutter for cutting slate and shingles.  It cuts through most roofing materials like a hot knife through butter.  Industrial versions cut 1/2” thick shingles easily.  Some models have a punch to get them started, which also offers better control in the cutting process.

Shingles and refuse can be disposed of by trekking to the edge and tossing them to the ground, right?  Wrong!  Use a ridge bucket.  These buckets are designed to hug the roof so they don’t slip even on a steep incline.  It’s safer and faster to use this bucket to dispose of materials.

Use a hip runner to install ridge cap and hip ridges perfectly straight every time.  Of all the roofing tools this is one the contractors always have, but do it your self enthusiasts rarely consider.

Seaming pliers are another important roofing tool.  They’re for yanking shingles, especially stubborn shingles that seem to have a mind of their own intent on staying in place.  Seaming pliers have teeth to grip the shingle without tearing it.  Add a good pair of thick work gloves to save your fingers and hands from scrapes, bruises and blisters from gripping and pulling rough shingles.

A slater’s hammer has a hammer head, as well as a small ax and a blade on the opposite side.  This roofing tool can be used both for removing the old roof and installing the new roof.  It’s also useful as a regular hammer and with the ax and blade for other projects besides roofing.

Most local hardware stores rent these tools as well as sell them.  This way a roofing novice can use the best quality tools rather than one that’s cheaper to purchase.  Keep in mind too that knowledge is a roofing tool as important as any other.  Local hardware stores, as well as the Internet, are great sources of information on roofing and roofing tools.  Between books they carry and staff on hand who can give you advice, they can prepare a person for every step of the roofing process.

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