how to repair a roof with shingles

• Apply a substantial bead of sealant beneath the cracked shingles.
• Press the damaged one down firmly.
• Apply a second row of the seal over the cracked shingles.
• Spread the sealant with a putty knife.
• Use a utility knife to scrape granules from an old shingle into a cup.
• Cover the exposed sealant with the collected shingle granules.

Full Answer

How to reroof over existing shingles?

What You Need

• Power nailer or roofing hatchet
• Tape measure
• Roofing shovel or flat pry bar
• Hammer
• Drill
• Carpenter's square
• Tin snips
• Utility knife
• Chalkline
• Broom

More items...

Do it yourself roofing shingles?

Step 1: Removing the Old Roofing Shingle. Remove the old roof’s shingles and repair any damages sections of the roof covering. Use a roofing shovel to do so. This square-ended shovel with teeth can pull out nails. Step 2: Take Measurements. Measure the length and width of the roof surface and calculate the footage that needs to be covered.

How to replace or repair a damaged shingle by roofingintelligence.com?

To fix broken shingles: Gather up your pry bar, hammer, utility knife, replacement shingles, and some 1-1/4-inch roofing nails. Climb on to the roof. Slide pry bar beneath the row of shingles directly above damaged section.

Can you put new shingles on top of Old Ones?

To level out an existing asphalt-shingle roof, rip down (reduce the height of) two courses of shingles, as shown in the drawing below. Because asphalt shingles are routinely exposed 5 in., rip down the first strip (the starter course) so that it is 5 in. high. Then lay it over the original (old) first course so that the strip is flush against ...

How do you repair a shingle roof?

If a shingle is simply cracked or torn, you don't have to replace it—just repair it. Start by applying a thick bead of roofing sealant under the crack. Press the shingle down and apply a second bead of sealant on top of the crack. Then spread the sealant with a putty knife.

Can you replace just a few shingles?

In the end, if your roof needs just a few shingles replaced or a few minor patches made, you can get a roofer to make those small repairs for you. But, if you need anything more than half of your roof repaired, it's in your best interest to simply re-roof your entire home.

Can you replace part of a shingle roof?

Can you replace shingles in an area that's leaking? Yes, absolutely. But if you're trying to replace a full section or more of your roof, you're throwing your money away.

How do you replace a few missing shingles?

How to Replace Missing or Damaged Shingles in 8 StepsCheck the weather report before you start. ... Get the required tools and materials. ... Remove the damaged shingles. ... Remove the nails. ... Slide out the old shingle. ... Nail down the shingle. ... Seal space around the nails. ... Glue down the bottom of the shingles.

Will roof leak with one shingle missing?

Will your roof leak with just one missing shingle? Maybe. Just because you lose a shingle or two doesn't mean water will immediately drip from your ceiling. However, such a missing shingle could cause issues over time if the surrounding shingles deteriorate from exposure to water, wind and sunlight.

Will my roof leak if some shingles blew off?

It is important because the shingle or shingles, torn or blown off, may be where water can find its way between the seams of the felt which is below the shingles and cause your roof to leak. It is just not a good idea to take a chance on not replacing missing shingles because it could cause a water leak.

Can you just patch a roof?

Patching can sometimes work, but it poses all of the same issues — and then some — as replacing a few shingles. It's best to call in a home roofing pro and have them perform a thorough inspection to determine if a patch will extend your roof's lifespan without leading to future damage.

Can you repair a section of roof?

If the damage is more significant but confined to one side of the roof, partial reroofing is an option that will cost thousands of dollars less than doing the entire roof. Repairing a section of roofing will also make it easier to blend new with old, because slight color differences will be less noticeable.

Is it OK to replace half a roof?

While you can replace only half a roof, it is not recommended by roofing experts. Some homeowners might look at it as a cheaper choice–or think it saves time. From an expert standpoint, half roof replacement often brings more harm (or expenses) than good.

What happens when shingles fall off roof?

If your shingles are falling off the roof due to: Occasional wind damage: Just replace the lost shingles. Damage from walking on them: Walk on them less or not at all. A roofer installing them wrong: Ask them to redo the job or call DMG Exteriors to fix them.

How long can a roof go without shingles?

In a typical project like a housing tract, the roof is papered and roofing material stocked on roof to distribute the load to bearing walls before stocking and installation of drywall material. It is typical for the roof to be in this condition for 30-60 days while other phases of the construction are completed.

How hard is it to match shingles?

In some cases, especially with an older roof, matching shingles can be close to impossible. An uneven patch job can decrease resale value and start a negative cycle of repair and replacement with a hodgepodge of shingles of different ages.

Is it OK to put a new roof over an old one?

You can only install a new roof over an old one if the old roof is completely flat and level. Several factors might cause the existence of curling shingles; therefore, it is advisable to involve a professional roofer to determine the cause and replace the shingle before proceeding to a re-roof.

How do you match old shingles to new ones?

Put the new and old shingles side by side to compare. If the old shingles have faded in the sun, request to see the next lighter shade of the same shingle. Select the one that is closest to the same shade.

How long can a roof go without shingles?

In a typical project like a housing tract, the roof is papered and roofing material stocked on roof to distribute the load to bearing walls before stocking and installation of drywall material. It is typical for the roof to be in this condition for 30-60 days while other phases of the construction are completed.

How far off should shingles be on a damaged roof?

The end seams should be lined-up about a foot off to one side of the damaged one. In other words, you'll want to make sure that you pull off shingles in a radius around the damaged portion, to make sure you get everything.

How to get up on a roof?

Any time you're getting up on the roof you need to practice roof safety. Wear protective eyewear, heavy-duty gloves, and gripping boots appropriate for walking on the roof. Preferably, you'll also install roof jacks to have something to stand on, and harnesses to protect yourself.

What is ridge cap shingles?

The ridge cap shingles are just regular 3 tab shingles that are cut and turned sideways. They are nailed down so that the nails are not exposed. Take a stack of regular 3 tab shingles and cut little v notches at the top edge of the shingles between the tabs. This also keeps the ridge shingles from being completely square and the corners tuck in nicely.

How long do shingles last?

It depends. Most shingles have a 15-25 year lifetime guarantee, so it depends on the age and condition of the shingles if they can be used again.

Who owns Bumble Roofing?

This article was co-authored by David Bitan. David Bitan is a roofing professional, licensed contractor, and the owner and founder of Bumble Roofing based in Southern California. With over 12 years of construction industry experience, David specializes in restoring, repairing, and maintaining residential, commercial, and industrial roofs. With over 60 years of combined experience, Bumble Roofing provides easy, friendly services to structures including residential, commercial, industrial, multi-family, and government buildings along with hospitals, hotels, and churches. This article has been viewed 323,479 times.

Can shingles cut into a roof?

Damaged shingles can seriously cut into the life of a roof. To keep your house secure, it's important to regularly evaluate and replace damaged shingles to make sure your home is safe and dry. [1] Roofing Contractor & Maintenance Professional Expert Interview. 14 July 2020.

Can you remove shingles in hot weather?

Remove shingles in cool weather. Asphalt and asphalt sealant will heat up in hot weather, making it moldable and much more difficult to remove. It's a lot easier to remove shingles that are cooled down and slightly more brittle than the moldable, so do the work of removing them first thing in the morning, before the sun has beaten down upon them considerably.

Fix those potential leaks now

Remove those ugly damaged shingles and stop potential roof leaks by following this simple three-step shingle replacement process.

Replace damaged shingles

Gently tap a flat bar under the shingles to break the seal-down strips free. Don’t force it—shingles rip easily.

Required Tools for this Project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

Required Materials for this Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.

How many steps does it take to replace asphalt shingles?

However, there may be the odd occasion where a little fix is needed, and, fortunately, asphalt shingles can easily be removed and replaced in just seven steps.

Why do roof shingles have two rows of nails?

This fact, that each shingle on a roof is actually held in place with TWO rows of nails, is a key factor in the overall roof system’s wind resistance.

What dynasty had shingles?

The images below depict Sedona Dynasty with ArmourZone shingles.

When to separate sealant?

This sealant separation is best done in cool weather, as the sealant bond will be more easily sheared by the pry bar when cool — in hotter weather, the sealant will be more gooey and tenacious, and harder to separate cleanly.

Can shingles be stiffer in warmer weather?

A word of caution: In cooler weather, the shingles will be stiffer than in warmer weather. Exercise care to avoid distorting the shingles more than necessary.

Can you remove nails from a shingle?

Sometimes the nails can be removed by direct access, but often trying to pry out the nails from above the shingle can damage the shingle’s granular surface. It is therefore better to lift the shingle AND the nail at the same time, so you’ll need to access the bottom of the target shingle.