Roof Repair Made Simple - Fixing Damaged Shingles

Some basic do-it-yourself roof repair and maintenance can help prevent costly replacement and keep your home in top condition. Homeowners should regularly check the area for loose, damaged, and missing tiles. Replacing or patching these up quickly can prevent them from developing into large holes, which will require a professional to fix. The best time of year for maintenance is well before any inclement weather and when the temperatures are mild.

Before you begin any roof repair, you'll need the proper tools and materials including a crowbar, box cutter, roofing hammer and nails, caulking gun, sealant, ladder and extra shingles. All of these are inexpensive (or you may already have them in your toolkit) and should last for several years, so it is worth the investment. Be sure to check your yard, shed, or attic for shingles that a contractor may have left behind from previous repairs or installment. If none are available, most hardware stores should carry something that is a close enough match.

For beginners who are new to roof repair, an easy place to start is by fixing curled or cracked shingles. Asphalt shingles often start curling at the corners due to exposure to the elements and general wear. It usually starts off with just a corner or two lifting up, but if left the entire thing may become distorted. Fixing curling is a two-step process that only takes a few minutes, but can save you from having to replace the entire shingle in the near future. Grab your caulking gun and squirt a bit underneath the curled edge. Smooth the shingle back into place and use a heavy object such as a brick to keep it sticking downwards as it dries. If the weather is agreeable, it shouldn't take longer than a day for it to dry and stay put.

Once you've mastered curled shingles, fixing cracks is the next step. Glue down the cracked area in much the same you would a curled single, by applying some caulk below it. Rather than weighing it down, place some more caulk on the top and spread it over the surface, be generous. It should stick together nicely, but the sealant may be visible. Gravel can be added over the top to blend it in, and in most cases the repaired crack is practically undetectable, but can add much durability to the surface.

Now that you're getting more comfortable with roof repair, you are probably ready to replace an entire shingle. To start, take the flat end of a crowbar and lift the edge of the shingle that is directly on top of the damaged one. You'll need to loosen the sealant and lift it enough for the nails underneath to be visible, but be gentle so you won't cause any more damage. Now you'll need to pop up all the nails that secure the damaged portion, then pull downwards to safely remove the shingle. Put on a new shingle and hammer securely into place using new holes. Once finished, apply tar and allow it to dry before checking.