What to Expect
What Actually Happens
During a Roof Tear-Off
Tear-off is the part of the project that determines whether your new roof is built on a sound foundation. Here's exactly what we do — and why every step matters.
Get an instant budget estimate in about 60 seconds using aerial roof data — no appointment or sales call required.
Step 1: Setup
Property Protection First
Before a single shingle comes off, we protect your home and landscaping. This is where most contractors cut corners and where homeowners notice it later.
Tarping + Plant Protection
Tarps over landscaping, AC units, pool surfaces, and walkways before any tear-off begins.
Dump Trailer Staged
Dump trailer positioned to collect tear-off debris cleanly — not piled in your yard or driveway.
Magnetic Sweep Setup
Magnets staged for ongoing nail collection throughout the project.
Crew Briefing
Crew walks the project together — scope, hazards, ground rules — before work begins.
Step 2: Tear-Off
Removing the Existing Roof
Full tear-off — not overlay. We remove every shingle, every fastener, and every piece of old underlayment.
Shingle Removal
All existing shingles removed and loaded directly into the dump trailer.
Underlayment Removal
Existing underlayment (usually 30-lb felt) removed. We don't install new underlayment over old.
Flashing Removal
Old flashings removed for reinstall with new ones. Reused flashings are usually a sign of cut corners.
Fastener Removal
Old nails pulled or driven flush. Loose fasteners are a future leak source.
Ongoing Cleanup
Magnetic sweeps run throughout — not just at the end.
Debris Disposal
All tear-off material hauled away by the end of the day. No piles left on your property.
Get Your Roof Tear-Off Quoted Properly
No overlay shortcuts. Real tear-off, real deck inspection, real system install.
Step 3: Deck Inspection
What We Look For Underneath
This is the step that makes tear-off worth doing. Once the old roof is off, we inspect every inch of decking before the new system goes down.
Soft spots from previous water intrusion
Rot around penetrations and valleys
Sagging deck panels indicating structural issues
Improper original nailing patterns
Areas where deck panels need replacement
Step 4: Dry-In
Getting the Home Watertight Same-Day
We never leave a roof opened up overnight. By end of day, the home is dried-in with synthetic underlayment and leak barriers installed.
Synthetic Underlayment
Installed across the full deck — tear-resistant, water-shedding, and built to outlast the shingle layer.
Leak Barriers
Ice & water shield in valleys, around penetrations, and at eaves — the spots that fail first.
FAQs
Common Questions
Get a Real Tear-Off + System Replacement
Written quotes, not verbal ranges. Full-system installs, not shortcuts. No pushy sales tactics.
Get an instant budget estimate in about 60 seconds using aerial roof data — no appointment or sales call required.