Roof Foam Removal Services: Low Cost Construction Businesses That Don't Require Big Investments

Starting a new construction business can feel daunting. The investment, the equipment, hiring labor, marketing - it adds up. We've prepared a series of low-cost construction businesses that you can start next week. Some require a bit more experience than others but with a little training, you can be on your way. This business in our series we explore is roof foam removal services or rather an add-on service to your existing commercial roofing business.

Roof Foam Removal Services

When working on commercial and industrial roofs, oftentimes project prep involves removing old material from the roof first. Removing spray foam can be very time consuming without the proper tools. This is not typically a business service that is a standalone business, rather part of a complete spray foam roofing system and is only one part of a bigger roofing quote. After a period of time and especially when roofs are not maintained properly, removal of the roof becomes necessary. Spray- foam roofs in particular may require resurfacing after service life, involving removing the upper most part of the foam then adding a new layer with an approved coating for a lasting finish.

How much does it cost to remove spray foam insulation from a roof?

There are a number of factors involved in quoting foam roof removal services. We'll try to simplify things. The basic things to include are supplies and dumpster cost x the number of days required for the dumpster. Make sure you include travel expenses; hotel, mileage, meals - if needed.

Let's assume you have a concrete deck with closed cell roofing foam at 2" thick. After identifying the area that requires removal, add 20% to your total square feet to ensure you're removing the total area that is damaged.

For example: 30,000 sq ft roof, 8,000 has to be removed + 20% = 9,600 sq ft of removal. Factor in the 2" of foam, so 9,600 x 2 = 19,200 board feet needing removal. Base your price on the board feet.

How do you remove roofing foam?

Remove roof foam is a process. Wet material retains heat, so an infrared detector makes it easy to identify. Once you've determined the area that reads hotter than the rest of your roof, outline it with an orange marking spray. Then, come back in the next day to test it with a core tool. That allows you to check the depth of foam and determine specific areas that need removed. Remove the marked area plus 15-20% around it to ensure you get all the damaged foam. When it comes to removing the foam, use the tools identified below to ensure a clean removal process.

What equipment is needed to remove foam?

Infrared Detector: An infrared detector is the first tool you'll use to help identify which areas of the spray foam roof require removal. 

Scarfers: Scarifiers come in handy and can help speed up the process by days or sometimes even weeks. Scarifiers are gas operated machines with a blade attached to the bottom. The blade is used to mill and remove spray foam material from flat surfaces. Production rates to remove foam range from .75  – 1.5 man hours per 100 sf x ½” thickness including cleanup. Production rates can vary depending on cutting depth, roof pitch, coating type and coating thickness.

Power Washers: Power Washers are ideal for metal roofs that have metal seams and uneven or odd-shaped surfaces. Using a 4,000-5,000 psi pressure washer with oscillating head will prevent any holes in the metal and remove any excess debris. Be sure to start at the eave and work up the roof line as to not create pockets where water can accumulate. Production rates vary depending on foam thickness, coating type, coating thickness, roof pitch. This method may or may not work depending on the condition and type of coating.

Motorized Vacuum and Bagger System: It's important to capture foam before it blows away from the roof, using a roof vacuum with a bag attached helps to encapsulate the foam and make bagging it in trash bags easier.

Cart for Hauling Debris: You can remove 800-900 lbs or more at a time with a heavy duty cart. If you add a makeshift heavy duty frame around the cart, this will allow for bigger hauls and faster work.

Shovels and Pickaxes: Go in with shovels and pickaxes towards the end of the removal process to remove any remaining foam. Wet foam is removed easier with a lightweight pickaxes or Mattock. You can also break off big pieces with shovels.

Conventional tear-off methods: Methods for cross cutting the foam with roof cutters and saws into small grids. This method being the most labor intensive, will require the use of tear off spades, mattocks, wrecking bars and the like, in which the tool is used to shear or leverage the pre-cut sections from the surface. Use of tear off machines work well when sections are cut very small and/or when removing of underlayment are included. Caution to not damage substrates and confirm the structural integrity can hold the weight of the equipment.

Reciprocating saws: These are commonly used to cut around penetrations and base flashing areas. 12” wood blades give an aggressive cut and often the depth required when these areas are the thickest.

Additional Tools: Additional tools required include a push broom, heavy duty trash bags, a plastic coal shovel, and a dumpster for waste.

Keep an eye out for future posts about other low-cost construction businesses. If you're unsure which business is right for you. Give our experienced team a call and we can point you in the right direction. 330-720-2966