Reusing Asphalt shingles on dirt floors

[billdavis]

I'm hoping for advice on using used asphalt shingles for flooring in my hay barn. Pros and Cons?
thanks
bill davis

 

[Gary Fowler]

As long as water doesnt get in on top of them, there shouldnt be any problem. However if water gets inside it is likely to stand on them and ruin the hay just as bad as it sitting on dirt.
Most dangerous thing I see is the possibility of roofing nails being in them that could get mixed up in your hay and end up in your animals stomach, not good then.
Anything you put down is going to be a haven for rats and other vermin to tunnel under other than concrete floor.
What would be your purpose in using them?

 

[BeezFun]

I put my hay on pallets, you need air circulation under them or you'll get mold. Shingles will hold more moisture in the soil, probably worse than nothin at all. I think asphalt shingles are not a good idea, horse stomachs don't like sand or grit, they can collic. Also shingles are a petroleum product and give off smell forever when it gets hot. Doesn't seem like a nice thing for the horses to have hay that absorbs that odor.

 

[billdavis]

As long as water doesnt get in on top of them, there shouldnt be any problem. However if water gets inside it is likely to stand on them and ruin the hay just as bad as it sitting on dirt.
Most dangerous thing I see is the possibility of roofing nails being in them that could get mixed up in your hay and end up in your animals stomach, not good then.
Anything you put down is going to be a haven for rats and other vermin to tunnel under other than concrete floor.
What would be your purpose in using them?

Thanks for the quick response, Gary. Water usually doesn't get into the barn much. The floor gets a little damp whenever we have heavy rains. It seems to seep from under ground. The reason I'm using the shingles is they are free.
Somebody has dump the shingles on one of my neighbors property. I'm watching the nails closely..
thanks for the advise
bill

 

[rrrkkk]

It is in almost all states illlegal to put asphalt shingles anywhere but an approved landfill. I know they made the best ditchfiller there was. But a roofer will not do anything except put them in a lndfill. If he or anyone is caught there will ba a fine and a cleanup of the shingles.

 

[Steave]

I know someone who has his driveway and his turn around covered with pieces of shingle. Driving over them and the sun heating them they stick together well. You have to inspect closely to realize they are shingles.
Just passing by you wouldn't notice any thing but a smooth drive. I'd do a photo but he lives 400 miles away.

To me it sounds like a better use for old shingles instead of a landfield. If you can put them on your roof don't see much difference than on the drive or in your case on your barn floor.

 

[creekbend]

Just a thought. I try to keep a few shingles in one of my storage sheds. A friend of mine is a contractor. When I start burning my burn pile during the winter months, I just pitch 3 or 4 shingles in the burn pile to get the fire going. Most states frown on this, but I never ever use old tires. I always use the same location for my burn pile, which is in a small ravine and not close to any water source such as a stream, creek or pond.

 

[Taylortractornut]

When mom and dad lived in Hardyville SC in the 70s dad said they used the tabs and grindings from a shingle plant in Georgia for driveways and parking lots that were on the sand. They ould melt together like RAP and not be noticable. Dad had a business building putting up billboards and parking lots. He used shingles for many years but later would bring in rail car loads of stone from NC. THe said the shingles did as good in the hot sun.

 

[forgeblast]

I can remember a lot of the old coal mine homes/company homes that were still standing had shingles on the sides of the house for siding.

 

[300UGUY]

I wouldn't do it. If you put it down, you will have to clean it up. Then it is your problem to get rid of them. I'd report somebody dumping in my hood.