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