Can You Handle Minor Shingle Repairs Yourself?

Many roofing professionals you’ll come across will scoff at the idea of coming out just to repair a handful of damaged shingles when such a small task is easily managed by the average homeowner.

After all, all you really need to approach minor shingle repairs is a few tools, the proper materials, and a bit of know-how.

Here is a simple list of DIY steps that can get you on your roof and repairing the damage in no time:

Gathering The Materials

You’re going to need new shingles, and with any luck the roofing professional who installed your roof will have left some shingles behind.

If this isn’t the case, you can take one of the broken shingles to compare at your local box store so you can purchase ones that match.

Other materials you might need include a ladder, hammer, crowbar, putty, roofing nails, and a caulking gun with a roof tar tube.

Getting Set Up

Your repair work should take place (ideally) on a warm and sunny day. If it’s too cold, shingles could crack, however if it’s too hot, they could crumble.

Once you are set up, you can use your putty knife in order to break the tar seal that is holding down your damaged shingle.

Removing The Shingle

Now is the time to pry up your damaged shingle, while being careful not to damage other shingles by bending them too far back.

Remember to remove all exposed nails and to pull your shingle out down the slope of your roof, as any other way could break other shingles.

If a big piece of the broken shingle remains stuck to the shingle above, you must remove that one as well as the bulge can lead to other problems if it isn’t fixed.

Replacing The Shingle

Once you’ve successfully removed the damaged shingle, you can place your new shingle down while checking to ensure it lines up properly.

It’s important to note that shingles are supposed to overlap in order to allow water to run off your roof instead of pooling and causing other water related damage. You may now secure the new shingle with nails.

Sealing The Area

Once you’ve fully replaced and secured the new shingle, you need to apply tar in order to seal the new shingle to your home’s roof.

Before you begin, you want to warm up your tar tube — either by letting it heat up in front of a heater or setting it out in the sun. You should then apply the warmed tar anywhere that shingles are lifted up or curled.

What To Do About Major Roofing Issues

As important as it may be to know how to handle minor shingle repairs, it’s equally as important to understand your limits.

For instance, it is always best to leave any serious roof damage to the roofing professionals. Contact Eagle Watch Roofing today to discuss your roof related issues.

With years of experience under their belt, our team of seasoned roofing professionals has all the necessary equipment and knowledge you could hope for to tackle your roof repairs!