[Dixon12]

So I need to remove just one course of roll roofing from a flattish roof. It's the first course and consecutive courses overlap it. I'd much prefer to not damage it while removing -- need to fix the decking underneath and then put it right back, with a bit of roofing cement. I tried peeling/pulling it by hand but it wouldn't separate. Would shovel/shingle remover do the trick, or is there a better/less damage-prone way of doing this?

 

[de-nagorg]

The first course should be glued down at least on the edge, then nailed along the other edge, then a strip of glue, and the second row, etc. until finished.

I doubt that you can remove and save it.

Might be better to buy a new roll and some adhesive, and replace it completely.


ED

 

[Dixon12]

I pulled off a corner of it, but couldn't go any further. I don't believe it was done properly, and I'm pretty sure it's not nailed. Looks like roofing cement in front over the drip edge, and spotty dabs of roofing cement or adhesive throughout. That said, no matter what I did, I couldn't pull it off any further than one corner.

Replacing it completely is an issue because the next course overlays it, so I'd need a way to tuck it under. And redoing the whole roof isn't an option. Would it be worth trying a roofing shovel on it? Is there a trick to removing just one course, even if it gets damaged, so that it would be possible to tuck the replacement under the next course?

 

[de-nagorg]

That really depends on how it was installed.

If there is little to no adhesive under the seam, it can be cut with a razor knife along the seam, then pulled away, leaving the old pieces behind, then tuck your new part under, after repairing the bad sheeting. Use enough adhesive on this new seam to prevent any leakage in storms.


A roofer shovel would easily remove the part that you will want to replace, Because once you tear it you wont care so much and get right down to removing the bad torn piece.

 

[carpdad]

Eternabond tape worked for me. I had to put second layer over some spots. Impossible to slip new under the old. I used the tape to seal new second layer and it hasn't leaked over 5 yrs. Modified roll roofing with granules, 1/2 day sun, about .5:12 pitch and NJ. Use primer and small rubber roller they sell for screen repairs. I think small roller gives the tape better bond and gets into nooks.