If you're going to approach the job yourself, you'll need to choose a day that does not have rain in the forecast. If possible, select a day that is also warm as this will help the shingles to be more flexible whereas cold weather may cause them to become brittle and crack. As well, new shingles will seal better in warm weather.

Before making any roof repairs, make sure the roof is dry and your ladder is sturdy and secured. Once you're ready to begin, locate the first shingle that needs repair. The type of work that you do will ultimately depend on the type of damage.

If you have a torn shingle, apply a layer of roofing cement on the back of the torn section. Press the shingle back into place, making sure that it bonds to the shingle beneath it. To ensure your repair stays in place, roofing nails can be used along the problem area. Consider putting a small amount of roofing cement over the nail head to prevent water from getting into the nail holes.

A curling shingle may be fixed much the same way. After straightening the shingle, secure it with roofing cement before using roofing nails to hold the edges in place.

If your shingles are beyond repair, they will have to be completely removed and replaced. While the entire roof may not need to be replaced, fixing a few shingles now may avoid water damage and could save a lot of money in the future. It's best to check your roof several times a year, particularly following heavy storms and the winter season, to detect any damaged or missing shingles.

If shingles are damaged, take one of them to your local home improvement store so they may help you match the color and other specifications. You will need to know how many are damaged, or missing, so that you know how many shingles need to be purchased.

If you need to replace a shingle completely, begin by removing the damaged shingle, along with any remaining nails, using a hammer. When bending the shingles back, above the damaged piece, take care not to damage others nearby. The next step is to cut the new shingle to an exact size match of the one being replaced. Finally, slide the new shingle into place and secure it with nails. Now that the new shingle is installed, glue any neighboring raised shingles with roofing cement. Continue these steps for every shingle that needs to be replaced. Before leaving your workspace, make sure that all debris is cleared from the roof or gutters.

October, 2005

Copyright 2005 Roofer 911.com. All Rights Reserved

by Steven Briesemeister. Reprinted courtesy of Roofer 911.com, roofing contractor serving Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, NY and northern Virginia.