How to remove interlocking roof
tiles using a wrecking bar?

How to remove an unnailed interlocking tile

Step 1 – Identify overlapping tiles

First, identify which tiles overlap the one which you need to remove.

You will be moving those which overlap the top edge of the tile.

Step 2 – Push back overlapping tiles

Using the tip of your wrecking bar, gently push the overlapping tiles upward by tapping on the front edge of each. They will slide backwards quite easily, revealing the top of the tile you need to remove.

Step 3 – Lift tile free using wrecking bar

Now simply insert the straight claw of your wrecking bar beneath the tile you wish to remove, and apply pressure to the opposite end to lever it gently upwards. As we are assuming that this tile is not nailed to the lath below, this should be very easy – you may even be able to lift the tile free using just your hands!

Step 4 – Replace tile

Having cleaned, repaired or replaced the tile with a new one, slip it back into the gap left by inserting the tongue on the left hand side underneath the overlapping tile on the left, and lining up the right edge with the tile that touches it on the right.

Step 5 – Replace overlapping tiles

Insert the straight claw of your wrecking bar beneath the overlapping tiles you moved in Step 2, and gently lift until you are able to insert your fingers beneath them and pull them back down and into their original position.

How to remove a nailed interlocking tile

Note

Each interlocking tile will be nailed to the lath below in two places, almost invariably at the top edge of the tile.

Step 1 – Identify overlapping tiles

Identify which tiles overlap the one which you need to remove.

You will be moving those which overlap the top edge of the tile.

Step 2 – Lift tile above

Using the straight claw of your wrecking bar and your free hand, gently lift the tile above the first tile that overlaps the tile you will be removing.

Step 3 – Remove nail in top of overlapping tile

Using the nail slot in your bar’s straight claw, lever out the nails at the top edge of the first overlapping tile (identified in Step 1).

As you likely won’t be able to see the head of each nail, this may be a little tricky – you will need to slot the nail slot of your pry bar around them by feel. Once you feel your bar meet resistance, apply pressure to the opposite end to lift each nail free.

Step 4 – Repeat steps 2-3

To free up the second overlapping tile identified in Step1 so that it, too, can be moved, simply repeat Steps 2-3, in which you freed up the first overlapping tile.

Step 5 – Move overlapping tiles

Using the tip of your wrecking bar, you will now be able to gently push the denailed tiles upward by tapping on the front edge of each.

Push the de-nailed tiles back until the top edge of the tile you will be removing is revealed.

Step 6 – Remove nails in top of tile to be removed

Slot your pry bar’s nail slot around the head of the first nail at the top edge of the tile you are removing, and apply pressure to the opposite end of the bar to lift the nail free.

Repeat this process on the second nail.

Step 7 – Remove roof tile

You can now remove the tile which needs to be removed, simply by lifting using your wrecking bar – or even your bare hands!

Step 8 – Replace tile

Having cleaned, repaired or replaced the tile with a new one, slip it back into the gap left by inserting the lip on the left hand side underneath the overlapping tile on the left, and lining up the right edge with the tile that touches it on the right.

Take care not to drive the head of the nail too far into the tile – you don’t want the striking face of the hammer to damage the tile, and there is no need for the nail head to sit in full contact with the tile.

Step 9 – Replace overlapping tiles

Insert the straight claw of your wrecking bar beneath the overlapping tiles you moved in Step 5, and gently lift until you are able to insert your fingers beneath them and pull them back down and into their original position.