Keep attacking this initial spot until you get underneath all layers of the roofing and above the decking below. Lever against the timber and the underside of the felt and separate the two layers. Use a small spade with a curve that isn’t too pronounced. Remove manageable chunks one at a time. Throw each chunk into a pile on a tarp for disposal later, or into a dumpster if you have one available. Prepare for slower progress if the plies are bonded to the roof. Removing felt also decreases its strength, especially on rotten or wet timber. If you feel the roof beginning to sag downward beneath your feet, find a more stable spot. Take off the gutters and facia so you can take out the roofing underneath them.
If you’re having trouble levering the pieces from the wall, thrust the spade horizontally into the region where it connects to the wall. Be sure that the blade is parallel to the line that marks the connection between the wall and the mortar-filled framework. If you can’t break the region flush with the wall, place the tip of a screwdriver to the wall and hit the handle with your hammer to drive it into the mortar. You can also use this technique with a drill-screw and a chisel attachment.
Pull off loose pieces with your hands without using a spade. Respect the limits of the spade and use more than one angle of approach for difficult parts.
Use a bolster or wallpaper scraper with a blade of 4 inches (10 cm) for the best results.
If you feel any galvanized tack nails, repeatedly thrust the spade directly into them with its front edge until they fly out. Use a hammer or bolster to remove difficult or awkwardly positioned nails. [5] X Research source
Take care not to stand on any unsupported decking. To check for support, press your toes downward—you should always feel the support of the horizontal ceiling supports underneath your feet.
Use a pry bar for tougher fillets. Hammer it under the fillets and pop them off by applying downward pressure to the bar to lever them up and off the roof.
Add about 7. 6 centimetres (3. 0 in) to your length and width to allow the membrane to overhang the edges of the building. You can purchase EPDM membranes from home hardware stores and online suppliers. Notify the supplier of your roof size when purchasing it and it will be cut to size.
Only install EPDM roofing when the temperature is consistently above 50 °F (10 °C). Make sure the roof surface is completely clean and dry before starting.
Let the membrane sit for 30 minutes so that it relaxes and fits the roof properly.
Use measuring tape to ensure that the crease of your EPDM membrane is aligned with the center of the roof.
Be sure that there are no spots where you can see the roof. Use vertical strokes occasionally and be sure to fill in any spots that are light on adhesive.
Touch the adhesive with your finger to test its wetness. Be sure that it is tacky, but not enough to string to a dry finger touch. [14] X Research source If the adhesive begins to dry, roll the membrane out over all that you’ve placed thus far. Afterward, continue applying the rest of the adhesive and rolling the remaining EPDM membrane over it.
Wait 15 to 30 minutes for the adhesive to dry. This time can vary depending on humidity and temperature.
Touch the adhesive with your finger before rolling the EPDM membrane over it. It should be tacky, but not enough to string to your dry finger.
