Replacing Missing or Broken Shingles

Posted by: All Roofing

Sometimes a bad storm will come through your neighborhood and take a few of your shingles with it. If you notice a few of your shingles are missing you might not have to call a Denver roofing contractor to come out and replace them. Read this do it yourself guide to fixing broken or misplaced shingles and see if you can do your own roof repairs. If you are getting your roof replaced it is a good idea to ask for a bundle of the remaining shingles simply so you have the same shingles for repairs such as this.

By replacing your broken shingles yourself, you will be saving some both time and money. A roofing company might take a few days to get back to your roof repairs and will of course have to charge you. If you do not replace your missing or broken shingles you then run a risk of getting a leak which could then damage more of your possessions in your home.

How to Replace a Shingle:
The first thing you will want to do is loosen the row which is above your missing or broken shingle. You can do this by using a prybar or a large putty knife. Once you do this you will be able to get to the damaged shingle.

Next gently rip off the desired shingle and pound any nails that stick up. Continue to take off the damaged shingles and pound any raised nails, make sure the nails are flush with the roof.

Next you will want to check for any holes in the tar paper or the plywood of your roof. If you find any damage under the shingles you removed, make sure to fill them in with roof cement. Make sure to let dry and to remove any access roofing cement. After this you are now ready to install the new shingles.

To begin installing the new shingles, you will want to start at the lowest section of the area you are replacing. Hammer (4 nails) the new shingles into place while making sure they align with the shingles next to them; there is nothing worse then getting off the roof and seeing crooked lines. Move up your roof nailing a row at a time until you are at the top row you are replacing. Tuck the last row under the shingles you previously loosened up and nail it back down when finished. You may want to add a little roofing cement under the top shingle you loosened. This will ensure no future leaks to the section you are replacing.

If you try to attempt to do these roof repairs and you cannot do so successfully, it is then time to contract the Denver roofing contractors in your area.