Handy Shingle Lifter
Break the seal with a brick trowel when you need to lift the edge of an asphalt shingle.
When you need to lift the edge of an asphalt shingle that’s sealed to the roof for a repair or to hang a roof-jack, you could just grab the edge and risk tearing it, but there’s a better way. Remodeling contractor John Carroll of Durham, NC, slips a brick trowel under the edge of the shingle to break the seal without breaking the shingle.
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I like the way you flourished that trowel, Kevin!
I've been working with John Carroll on some special projects for years, and the first thing I learned from him was to lift shingles with a masonry trowel. Not only does it do a clean job lifting stuck shingles, it keeps you from getting your knuckles scraped and scratched getting too close to the shingles.
Great tip! Is this the same John Carroll who wrote the book "Working Alone - Tips and Techniques for Solo Building"?
I suspect so and just another reason why that book should be on every bookshelf or in glove compartments.
Peter - Powhatan, VA
Yes
I have grown fond of the scrapers that go in a recp saw. They come in 2 4 and 6inch. I like the 4 for stability. Remember to use them like a chisel so they don't dig in