Roofing Equipment

It is a vital, though often overlooked necessity to have exactly the right tools if you want a project to go the way you would like. Roofing is no exception. Here is a brief list of the various roofing equipment items that you will need to have on hand to ensure that you can get the job done properly. Next to each item listed, you will also find a brief description or a summary of why the item can be of help.

• Tool pouch or belt. A tool belt is much like the utility belt that a superhero wears. It has the capability to hold and organize the tools that you will be carrying and using the most often, all around your waist. This can save you an immense amount of time when you begin doing the roofing project. Just make sure that you have a belt that is durable, and that fits you properly.
• Razor knife. Razor knives are exactly what they sound like, a razor that you can use as a knife. These tools can help you cut, trim, score, or otherwise mark any item that you may be using during your roofing project. Oftentimes, these tools have blades that can be replaced with relative ease when they get dull or damaged.
• Pencil. Pencils, particularly construction pencils, can be helpful in a wide variety of ways. The primary methods that they can be helpful in that you can use them to make temporary markings, allow you to figure out mathematic equations, and so on. Basically, whatever you would use a regular pencil for, a construction pencil can help in a similar manner.
• Marker. There are times when a pencil simply won't cut it when it comes to being able to make the mark, or marks, that you want n your roofing projects. In such situations you really should look to your marker to help you out.
• Tape measure. In any type of construction project, and in most home improvement projects, you will need to do some kind of measuring. This is where a tape measure will not only be handy, but absolutely vital. Since you are going to be working on your roof, you really should have a tape measure that will measure out to around 30 feet.
• Chalk line. One of the best possible methods you could use to mark a long straight line in construction is by using a chalk line. There are a wide variety of colors, and durability that you can choose from. All that you really need is one that will last for at least 15 minutes.
• Hammer. A hammer is one of the most important tools that you can use for a roofing project. In this particular case, you will primarily want to use a roofing style hammer though. This is the one tool that you can use to successfully attach most styles of roofing materials to your roof after all.
• Speed square. A speed square is a wonderful tool that you can use to ensure that your roofing materials are flush, straight, and square as they should be. This piece of equipment typically looks like a metal triangle, that has one 90 degree angle on it.
• Tin snips. Despite what material you will be using for your roof, you will need to cut it down to size periodically. One of the best possible tools that you can use for that part of your project is a tool called tin snips. Tin snips are designed to cut through metal such as tin, and can thus easily deal with the vast majority of materials that you will find on a roof.
• Flat bar. There is one part of most home renovation projects that you can't really get around, and that is called demolition. This means that you basically need to destroy and remove the items that are damaged, so that you can replace it with the items that you want or which will work better.
• Shingle sheers. Some materials are not able to be cut through even with tin snips, and for those situations you really should have the tools you need. This tool is called shingle sheers, and are designed to cut through even the most difficult of roofing material.
• Roofing shovel. A roofing shovel is a piece of equipment that is designed to lift, and separate shingles from your roof without damaging the roof that you are trying to repair. Many of these shovels have notches in the leading blade that will help catch the nails, and allow you to then remove the nails and the shingle from
• Circular saw. With roofing, as with many other types of home improvement projects, you will find yourself needing to do a bit of cutting. The most efficient way to cut, at least roughly, a large amount of materials is by using a circular saw. This power tool can easily cut through most items that you will find yourself faced with, all with a simple change of the blade.
• Wheelbarrow. Whether you are removing old roofing, or putting new roofing into place, you will have some debris left over. The best possible method for removing and disposing of large amounts of debris is with the help of a wheelbarrow.
• Roofing jacks. When you are working with a particularly steep roof, you will need a piece of equipment that can help you stay on that roof. This equipment is known as a roofing jack. Basically this piece of equipment will allow you to have a small ledge that you can work on when attaching the new roofing material.
• Magnet. Considering how many nails and other bits of metal are associated with roofing, it only stands to reason that some will get misplaced during the whole process. A magnet is perhaps the single greatest tool that you can use to locate those lost nails and other bits of metal. This way you can avoid stepping on a rusty nail six months down the road, and end up needing to get a new Tetanus shot.
• Ladder. You really can't work on the roof without being able to get onto it, now can you? The way that you do this is by having a good, solidly made, and sturdy to use, ladder. There are a wide variety of styles and types that you can use for your needs, just make sure that it is a safe one.
• Tarps. Before you begin removing the old roofing material you want to ensure that your clean up goes as quickly and easily as possible. One way to do that is by laying down some tarps near the walls of your home to ensure that they will catch anything that comes off, either by accident or design.

With this list of basic roofing equipment in hand, you can begin gathering all the tools that you don't have. Remember that this is only a list of the basic equipment that you will need. It is entirely possible, and more than probable, that you will run into a unique situation somewhere during your project that will require a bit of unique equipment that is not covered here. Good luck, and stay safe during your project.