Homeowner's Knowledgebase

Read on for our insights and news posts and if you have questions contact us.

GET FREE QUOTE

DATE

June 17, 2016

CATEGORY

Roof Repairs

SHARE

How to Go about Repairing Loose Shingles on the Roof

Severe weather can damage a roof in various ways. Shingles, in particular, can get lifted, ripped and scratched, leaving your home unprotected from leaks and heat loss. Thankfully, even if a few shingles blow off your roof, the repairs are minor if tended to immediately.

Call a Professional or Fix the Shingles Yourself?

Repairing a handful of shingles does not necessitate a total roof renovation. Thus, homeowners equipped with the necessary tools might rather attempt the fix themselves. However, there are implications in doing so:

  • Warranties—some manufacturer warranties mandate that a certified professional takes care of all renovation matters;
  • Extensiveness—professionals can assess the damage and verify it has not spread.
  • Experience—if the old shingles are improperly repaired or the new shingles sloppily installed, the likelihood of repeat damage increases.

Of course, some shingle repair jobs are simpler than others. For example, curled or cracked shingles just need caulking and sealing. Re-shingling takes much more effort.

Steps in Installing New Shingles

To successfully install shingles, you will need a few supplies:

  • Hammer
  • Pry bar
  • Knife
  • Roofing nails
  • Roofing cement.

The pry bar lifts broken shingles from the roof, clearing a spot to hammer down replacements. Before laying new shingles, though, you need to check for cracks in the paper underneath. If damaged, you must cement before affixing another shingle.

When sliding new shingles into position, you may need to cut them with a knife. As well, you may need to lift rows of nails from surrounding shingles if layered. When nailing down all new or existing shingles, align with the previous holes.

Remember, that roof work can be dangerous, so do not attempt without the proper safety gear or experience. If uncertain how to go about your roof repair, call a professional to ensure the damage gets contained and not exacerbated.