How to Remove Old Felt When Reroofing
- 1). Position a ladder so it is secure on the ground and climb up to the roof. Move to either top corner of the roof and slide a utility knife under the first layer of felt to begin peeling it back.
- 2). Pull up on the felt by hand once it has been started with a utility knife and begin ripping off the first layer. Move around the entire roof, cutting with the utility knife and ripping up the first layer until it has been removed.
- 3). Remove all of the roofing nails or staples with a claw hammer to loosen the bottom layer of felt. Move around the entire roof, removing the nails. Slide the claw hammer underneath the bottom layer, starting at the same corner as the previous steps. Pull up slightly on the felt to remove it from the sheathing.
- 4). Move around the entire roof until the felt has been removed. Inspect the area to make sure there are no nails or staples left sticking up. Remove them with a claw hammer. Check the sheathing to make sure it was not damaged and is still in good shape before installing the new felt over top of it.