| Planning is the key when taking on a project | | | | prybar to free them from the rafters. My |
| that involves removing your roof. | | | | favorite technique is to use a 6 to 8 foot |
| | | | 2x4. Slip it under the loosened piece and use |
| Before you plan your 2nd story, research what | | | | an adjacent rafter as a fulcrum. Push down |
| obstacles will need to be dealt with. | | | | on the 2x4 and up comes the plywood and |
| Examples of items that need to be addressed | | | | shingles. This same procedure works with |
| are: | | | | trusses also. |
| | | | |
| -Size of ceiling joists, can they support a | | | | If the roof sheathing is planks, the cuts |
| 2nd story floor? | | | | should be made 48" to 64"apart. If there are |
| | | | 2 or mre layers of shingles, you should be |
| -Are mechanicals run over the top of existing | | | | able to roll these sections down the rafters. |
| ceiling joists? (plumbing, electRic, HVAC) | | | | |
| | | | Once the roof sheathing is removed, the rest |
| -How much overhang is on existing roof and | | | | of the components canbe removed. If the |
| are there any utilities fastened to it. | | | | soffit and fascia haven't been removed yet, |
| | | | thisis another opportunity to do so. Once |
| -Is the existing roof stick built(built on | | | | that is gone the rafters can be removed. The |
| site) or a truss roof(manufactured). | | | | rafters can be detached from the ridgeboard |
| | | | by using a sledgehammer or a sawzall. After |
| -Is the roof sheathing 1x boards or plywood? | | | | they are loose from the ridge, they can be |
| | | | twisted off the top plate. |
| -How many layers of shingles are there? | | | | |
| | | | Trusses can be a little trickier. After the |
| -Are there any Stacks or flues protruding | | | | sheathing is removed,most of the truss work |
| through the roof such as a fireplace | | | | will have to be cut out. The only part left |
| chimney, furnace flue, or vent pipe. | | | | would be the bottom cord that holds up the |
| | | | drywall ceiling. Since most of these cords |
| These things need to be considered so the | | | | are 2x4's, larger 2x lumber will have to be |
| addition can be built as quickly as possible. | | | | sistered alongside for added support. As long |
| | | | as there are bearing walls below, this 2x |
| When starting the tearoff, the first thing | | | | lumber could be 2x10's, 2x12's or engineered |
| that needs to be addressedis the soffit. | | | | lumber such as I-joists. Each situation is |
| Removing this first will free up the rafter | | | | different and what is used is spect by an |
| ends when it comes time to remove them. | | | | engineer or architect. |
| Sometimes utilities like the phone and | | | | |
| electrical lines are attached to the soffit. | | | | In most cases, the electric (conduit), |
| These should be moved by their respective | | | | plumbing and/or HVAC run over the top of the |
| utility company. | | | | ceiling joists. Usually, the easiest way to |
| | | | deal with this, is to build a knee wall high |
| Now you can tearoff the roof. The easiest way | | | | enough for the new floor joists to clear |
| to remove the shingles and sheathing is with | | | | these obstructions. This makes the second |
| a circular saw. It's best to use an old blade | | | | floor deck higher so it will make your stair |
| with a lesser amount off teeth because it | | | | run longer. Making sure you have room for the |
| will be trash when you are done. | | | | stairs in this instance is another |
| | | | consideration. |
| When cutting the roof away, start at the | | | | |
| ridgeboard and run the saw between the | | | | Once the deck is down, the walls, ceiling |
| rafters all the way to the rafter tails. | | | | joists, and roof of your new addition can |
| Repeat this cut every 32" from one end of the | | | | follow. |
| roof to the other. These pieces, assuming | | | | |
| they are plywood, can be removed in 32"x 48" | | | | Whatever situation might you have, good |
| squares. There will still be some weight to | | | | planning will make this taskeasier and |
| these pieces but this will make them more | | | | quicker. Time is of the essence when it comes |
| managable. Working from the ridge, these | | | | to removing a roof. You want to protect the |
| squares are loosened with a sledgehammer. | | | | existing structure and all of your valuable |
| Once there is enough room, you can use a | | | | possesions that are left inside. |