What is a roofing crowbar and hammer?

13th August 2021


What is a roofing crowbar and hammer?


	Shop for Wrecking Bars


		The roofing crowbar and hammer (not to be confused with the roofing bar) is a heavy-duty wrecking bar designed for lifting, breaking and hammering roof laths and tiles. It incorporates a bent chisel end, with a flat heel, and a soft grip handle at the opposite end. Because this bar is intended for use at height, the handle also incorporates a hole through which arrest equipment can be attached (see: What is arrest equipment? below.)

		Like the heavy-duty wrecking bar, this type of bar is sometimes marketed as a ‘gorilla’ bar, due to its strength and toughness.

		The roofing crowbar and hammer uses the same claw design as the heavy-duty wrecking bar: the claw is low profile and highly polished, making penetration between tightly fastened objects easier.

		The claw also shares the wide surface area of the heavy-duty wrecking bar’s claw. This prevents damage to surfaces in contact with the claw, by spreading the force applied over a wider area.

		The flat heel of the roofing crowbar and hammer has two benefits: One is to allow the easy insertion of the claw beneath heavy objects.

		The other benefit is the ability of the flat edge to be used as a hammer – hence the name ‘roofing crowbar and hammer’. While holding the bar by the soft handle, it is possible to strike objects with this part of the bar where necessary, eliminating the need for an additional tool. This can be especially useful when working on roofs or scaffolding, where fewer tools are better.

		What is ‘arrest equipment’?
		The term ‘arrest equipment’ has nothing to do with the police force – it refers to apparatus used when working at height (such as on roofs or scaffolding) to keep workers or tools from falling. The kind used for tools is called a ‘tool lanyard’. Usually, this consists of an elasticated rope threaded through the handle of the tool and clipped to the arrest equipment worn by the worker – either a harness or a wrist strap.

		If the tool is dropped, it will dangle harmlessly and within reach, rather than falling to the ground, potentially to land on someone’s head!

		What is a roofing crowbar and hammer used for?
		Removing roofing materials such as tiles, joists and flashing.

		Hammering in nails.

		Removing nails.

		What roofing crowbar and hammer sizes are available?
		The roofing crowbar and hammer comes in a standard length of 425mm (17in), or a ‘plus’ size 950mm (38in) model.

		The standard roofing crowbar and hammer weighs 898g (1.98lb), slightly less than a tin of wood filler.

		While the ‘plus’ size model weighs substantially more at 3.3kg (7.28lb), the average birthweight of a baby in the UK!