pull roofing nails out of rolled roofing without tearing

LBrown59 · Nov 10, 2007

Need help >
How do I pull roofing nails out of rolled roofing without tearing it up so I can lift it up and slide flashing up under it?
Need tips ideas and suggestions.

mopacman · Nov 10, 2007

use a four inch grinder and grind the head off the nail......Larry

BTDT · Nov 10, 2007

Hammer them back out from the bottom (under roof), then pull from the top. Is this on a house or a shed?

LBrown59 · Nov 11, 2007

BTDT said:
Hammer them back out from the bottom (under roof), then pull from the top. Is this on a house or a shed?

A small 6x6 porch.
The nails go into the rafters not between them.
So they can't be driven out from underneath.

Egon · Nov 11, 2007

Pry bar slid up underneath and then lots of silicone after you are finished.

There are nail pulling tools out there.

You may be able to get a side cutter under the head and pull them up that way.

Prepare for damage to the existing roofing and have plenty of silicone on hand to patch after you are done.

You may also be able to use a torch to soften up the area aroud the nail to make it easier to get a grip on the head.

LBrown59 · Nov 11, 2007

mopacman said:
use a four inch grinder and grind the head off the nail......Larry

I thought about grinding them off or taking a drill bit slightly larger than the shank of the nail and drill the head off than way.
Another idea was take a utility knife and cut through the roofing around the nail heads, but i don't really like having a 1/2" round hole to patch in the roofing where the nails were.
I know i have my ideas on this but i also know others may very well have better solutions, hence why I started the thread.

MrJimi · Nov 11, 2007

Go to your local roofing supplier and just buy a roofing nail puller and you will be a happy camper and I don't think silicone will work very long, you should use a roofing patch material, kinda like roofing tar
Happy Veterans day to all

Jim

LBrown59 · Nov 14, 2007

Thanks all for your tips;
Got the job done.
Used a putty knife to gain a little space under the nail then used a cats claw to get under the head and pulled the nail right out.