Roof Removal Procedures

Roofs are often taken out by hand, typically by using pry bars, sledge hammers, axes, adzes, bolt cutters, ice chippers, shovels and roof-cutting saws.

If the roof contains asbestos materials (felt, cork, etc.), an asbestos removal contractor may be employed to remove it. Some abatement contractors wet the roof with plain or amended water and then use shrouded power saws whose exhaust is HEPA-filtered to cut the roofing into manageable (often 2' x 3') pieces.

After the pieces are lifted, the edges may be encapsulated. Other abatement contractors may build a full containment and establish a reduced pressure environment prior to removing the roofing materials.

Courtesy of The EPA