Roof Shingle Repair

The shingles represent the most vulnerable section of your roof. They’ll be the first to suffer if weather decides not to cooperate (which is often the case in Allen, TX). That’s why you need to take excellent care of your shingles. If one is lifted, cracked, or worn, rely on roof shingle repair.

Roofing contractors will be able to repair any subpar shingles as a quick job. There’s a chance you might even be able to complete a roof shingle repair on your own. Here’s what you need and how you do it for asphalt shingle roofs:

Roofing Materials:

Work gloves
Hammer
Flat pry bar
Shingle nails
Replacement Shingles (must be same size and type)

None of the above items should be too difficult to acquire. A stroll to your local department store will get you everything you need. While you’re there, speak to an expert about the specific roofing nails needed for an asphalt roof. You may need to go to your roofing contractor to get the identical replacement shingles.

Once you have the necessary materials, do the following…

Roof Shingle Repair Safely get to your roof. Use a ladder, gloves, shoes with strong tread, and remember to bring the tools with you. Locate the troubled shingle(s). You should only do this if your have safe standing or sitting atop your roof. If you do not feel safe, hire a professional roofer for help.

Shingles are secured by eight nails and a roof cement seal. Thus, the goal is to remove the nails and seal without harming any surrounding shingles. Because shingles overlap, damage to more than one is possible during the roof shingle repair process.

Place the pry bar under the shingle edge. Push down to force the shingle up. If the edge comes up, you’ve successfully broken the seal.

***It’s easiest to do this during moderate weather. If it’s too hot outside, the seal can be overly stubborn and cause a mess as you try to break through. If it’s too cold outside, shingles become more fragile and could break if too much pressure is forced on them.

You’ll find one row of nails to be at the center of the shingle and the other four nails at the bottom of the shingle above the one you’re working on. The latter four have been punched through both shingles. Rather than tugging at them with the hammer claws, you’ll want to push the nails up from the bottom (from the pointed end). You can do so with the pry bar.

Be gentle so the healthy shingle doesn’t get torn or any asphalt granules removed from it. Clawing by the nail heads risks damaging the healthy shingle.

The seal is broken and the nails out of the way. Proceed to remove the old shingle and replace it with the new one.

Nail the new shingle. Go about a half inch over from the prior nail holes in order to create new, sturdier ones. As long as you have the right nails, each should hammer through the asphalt material relatively easily.

Lastly, re-apply the asphalt cement seal. That’s another item to add to your shopping list if you do not already have some. You can use the seal sparingly, as it won’t take much more than a few drops to fasten the new shingle into place.

Wallah! Your damaged shingle is out of the way and a brand-new one is ready for action!

If you are unsure of shingle damage, here’s how you can make the determination

On a sunny day, venture up to your roof. Spot a shingle that has the sun shining on it. Try to bend one of the corners of the shingle. If the corner breaks off instead of flexing, it’s time for roof shingle repair.

You can also look for discolored shingles. Often, you’ll be able to tell which ones have taken more of a beating than the others. A simple time estimation will hint at the condition of your roof. If it’s been in place for over 20 years, you would be wise to schedule an estimate with a professional roofing company.

Sometimes you can verify shingle damage without even being on your roof. Hail impacts can wear away the asphalt granules. As they’re detached, they will roll down the roof slant and come to a stop in the gutters. If rain floods the granules out, then you may find them at the base of your downspout.

These are all ways to detect shingle problems. Of course, some are more obvious, like a curled shingle or a discolored shingle in which the plywood is showing through.

Summit Roof Service

If you don’t feel comfortable executing a roof shingle repair on your own, give Summit Roof a call! We’ll have the roughed up shingles repaired in no time. We’ll also examine the rest of your roof to determine if any additional adjustments are needed. Repairing a shingle on your own saves some money, but it’s important to have an expert roofer take a look at the roof as a whole.

To learn more about our company, please visit https://summitroof.com.