4 Categories of Essential Roofing Supplies

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Depending on the nature of your DIY roofing project, there are several different tools that you may find a need for. Roofing supplies can generally be divided into four categories based on how they are used when working on a roof. Here is an overview of commonly used roofing supplies to help you find the right tool for the project at hand.

General Tools

Many of the basic tools that any DIY-oriented homeowner will have in their toolbox will also come in handy for roof repairs. This includes hand tools such as hammers for driving and removing roofing nails, paint brushes for applying roof coatings and spreading caulk, and a cordless electric drill for installing screws and brackets and mixing roof coatings with a mixing attachment.

A ladder, wheelbarrow, and roof hoist are other fundamental supplies for any job on the roof. A sturdy metal extension ladder is the best choice for safely climbing to and from the roof. A wheelbarrow is useful for collecting debris and delivering it to a garbage bin so you can keep your workspace clear. Roof hoists allow you and a helper to get tools and supplies to the roof without having to carry them while climbing the ladder.

Safety Equipment

Safety equipment is the most important category of supplies to consider before you begin any project. Understandably, safety equipment for roof repairs is centered around preventing a fall and protecting you if a fall occurs. Some examples of safety equipment are boots with thick soles to maintain maximum traction on the roof and a hard hat to prevent your head from hitting the ground if you fall.

A safety harness is the most effective piece of equipment for protecting you from a fall injury. These full-body harnesses have a clip on the front or back that attaches to a lanyard. The lanyard is connected to a movable anchor point on the roof. The lanyard should be short enough to catch you in the air before you hit the ground if you fall off the roof. Larger roofing projects may require you to move the anchor point multiple times to reach every part of the roof.

Shingle-Removal Tools

Tearing shingles off of your roof is a nigh-impossible task if you don't have the right tools. The two basic tools for shingle removal are pry-bars and wide shovels. You can first use the pry bar to lift the edges of the shingles, loosening the nails that are holding them in place. Once the shingles are loose, a wide shovel can be useful to remove a large number of shingles at once and scoop them into the wheelbarrow below. Be aware that shingle removal often results in a large amount of debris, so a broom can come in handy to keep your workspace clean.

Cleaning Supplies

Roof cleaning is one of the easier roofing projects for homeowners to take on. While removing limbs and other large debris may be easy with a broom and garden hose, you will likely need to use a chemical cleaner to remove set-in algae and mold stains. There are several chemical cleaners on the market to choose from, so it is important that you understand what is in the chemical cleaner you are using before applying it to your roof.

Oxygen-based cleaners are one of the most popular options for cleaning stains caused by algae and mold. Before buying an oxygen-based cleaner, you should inspect the label to make sure it is free of lye and potassium. This will make the cleaner very eco-friendly and prevent it from weathering your roof with continued use.

Most roofing projects will use tools from several of these categories. Be sure you understand the project you are undertaking in depth so you can gather all of the necessary supplies before you climb onto your roof.

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