Cleanup & Magnet Sweep: the full procedure
Return the property to better-than-found condition with a thorough debris removal and magnetic nail sweep before leaving the site.
- Applies to: Crew
- Frequency: End of every job (and daily on multi-day jobs)
- Scope: Covers final site cleanup and the magnet sweep that protects the customer from nail injuries and tire punctures. Roof-edge and gutter access follows OSHA fall-protection standards and the safety plan.
What you need
- Rolling magnetic sweeper
- Handheld magnet
- Leaf blower/broom
- Gutter scoop
- Debris bags
- Tarps
The procedure, step by step
- Strip and stow ground protection — Carefully remove tarps so trapped debris funnels into bags rather than the lawn.
- Clear gutters and downspouts — Remove all granules, nails, and shingle scraps from gutters; access follows the safety plan.
- Sweep the roof surface — Blow or broom the roof clean of cut-offs, wrappers, and loose granules.
- Run the rolling magnet first pass — Sweep the full perimeter, drip line, driveway, and walkways with the rolling magnet.
- Run a second pass crosswise — Re-sweep at 90 degrees to the first pass to catch nails the first direction missed.
- Hand-magnet tight areas — Check flower beds, AC pads, decks, and entry mats with the handheld magnet.
- Load and remove all waste — Haul the container/trailer and confirm no material is left on the property or street.
- Final walk with the customer mindset — Walk the full property as if it were your own and correct anything found.
Quality check before you finish
- Two magnet passes (perpendicular) over all drive/walk surfaces
- Hand magnet run through beds, decks, and entry areas
- Gutters and downspouts clear of debris
- No shingle scraps, wrappers, or nails on lawn or street
- Dump container/trailer fully removed
- Ground protection removed without spilling trapped debris
- Final property walk completed
This is a free, source-anchored standard operating procedure (SOP) you can print and hand to staff. It documents the work sequence for a Roofing business — not safety or regulatory rulings, which defer to the cited authorities, the applicable code, and your own health-and-safety plan. Open the tool above to print it, toggle ink-saver, or (with a free ToolFluency Business account) edit it to match your own workflow.
Sources
- NRCA (nrca.net)
- ARMA (asphaltroofing.org)
- OSHA (osha.gov)
About Free Roofing Cleanup & Magnet Sweep SOP
Free printable roofing cleanup SOP — magnet sweep, gutter clearing, and final property walk so the site is left better than found.
How to use
- Read the full procedure top to bottom before the work — the SOP runs in order and each step builds on the last.
- Toggle Ink-saver (black & white) for a cheaper mono print for the binder; leave it off for the full-color version.
- Click Print SOP to print or save as PDF. Print one per crew, laminate it for the binder, or attach it to the job in your scheduling system.
- Train new hires on it and have staff sign off. Found something out of date? Use the feedback link — flagged SOPs are re-researched against the source list.
Frequently asked questions
Why run the magnet in two directions?
A single pass leaves nails that lie parallel to the sweep path or sit in tire ruts and bed edges. Running a second pass perpendicular to the first, plus a hand magnet in tight spots, catches the strays that cause flat tires and foot injuries. Thorough nail recovery is the single most common cause of post-job complaints, so it is non-negotiable.
Should cleanup happen only at the end of the job?
No. On multi-day jobs, debris and a magnet sweep should run at the end of each day so the property is never left with loose nails overnight. The final-day sweep is more thorough, but daily cleanup protects the customer throughout. Gutter and roof-edge access always follows the safety plan.
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