Mastering the Spud Bar: A Roofer’s Best Friend for Commercial Tear-Offs

When it comes to commercial roofing tear-offs, speed, efficiency, and muscle matter. Among the arsenal of roofing tools, one that’s often underestimated — but absolutely essential — is the spud bar. This rugged, no-frills tool plays a critical role in removing old roofing materials, especially built-up roofs (BUR) and modified bitumen systems. Knowing how to use a spud bar correctly can save time, energy, and wear-and-tear on your power tools.

What Is a Spud Bar in Roofing?

A spud bar, sometimes called a roofing spud bar or roof scraper, is a heavy-duty steel bar with a flat, sharpened blade on one end and a long handle for leverage. It’s specifically designed to remove embedded roofing materials like asphalt, gravel, and tar, especially when those layers cling stubbornly to the roof deck.

In commercial roofing, this tool is used to “spud” — or scrape — the roof surface clean before new membrane installation. Think of it as the manual muscle behind surface prep.

How to Use a Spud Bar on a Commercial Roof

1. Prep the Area

   Start by clearing loose debris and sweeping off gravel or ballast. For BUR systems, you may need to remove the top layer with a power roof cutter first. Once the top layers are out of the way, you’re ready to spud.

2. Angle and Pressure

   Hold the spud bar with a firm grip — one hand on the handle’s top and the other near the midsection. Approach the old membrane at a low angle, keeping the blade almost flush with the roof surface. Apply downward pressure as you push the blade forward. The key is to let the blade “shave” off embedded material without gouging the deck.

3. Work in Sections

   Spudding is physically demanding, so it’s best to work in smaller sections, especially on large commercial roofs. Focus on stripping each area clean of old tar, adhesives, or gravel-embedded layers. Rotate with your crew to avoid fatigue.

4. Sharpen Your Blade

   A dull spud bar makes the job harder and increases the risk of injury. Keep the edge sharp with a grinder or file between uses to maintain maximum scraping power.

5. Safety First

   Always wear gloves, eye protection, and steel-toe boots. Commercial roofing environments are full of slip hazards, and flying debris is common when spudding through hardened material.

Why It Matters

Proper spudding is critical for membrane adhesion. Leaving behind asphalt or gravel reduces the contact between the new roof and the deck, which can lead to premature failure. A clean, prepped surface means better longevity, stronger seals, and fewer callbacks — all of which boost your reputation as a pro roofer.

Final Thoughts

While it may not have a motor or a battery, the spud bar is one of the most reliable tools on any commercial roofing job. It’s simple, tough, and built for brutal work — just like the crews who use it. Master the spud bar, and you’ll master the tear-off.

For a look at some of our most popular spud bars, here is the 7" Spud Bar with ball handle.

Here is the 3 1/2" Spud bar with ball handle. And here is our hand spudder.