Got stuck for two hours on a simple cap removal in a tight attic

The old clay liner was fine, but the previous sweep had used a huge amount of roofing tar to seal the metal cap to the tile crown. My scraper and heat gun did nothing, and I ended up having to cut the whole thing off with a grinder and a diamond blade. What's your go-to method for dealing with that kind of over-sealing?

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2 Comments

walker.mia7mo ago

Used to think a heat gun and patience would always win. That kind of roofing tar mess changed my mind for good. Now I just go straight for the grinder, saves so much time and anger.

5

charliew997mo ago

Grinders are the only way with that old tar. Heat guns just make a sticky smoke cloud and never really soften it enough. A wire wheel on an angle grinder takes it right down to clean metal. Wear a good mask because the dust is awful. You'll finish in minutes instead of fighting it for hours.

5