Repairing Roof Shingles

Every do-it-yourself project-builder understands howhand. Many times, new homeowners discard extra
important it is to know how to repair roof shingles.roof shingles, not thinking that they will need them in the
Fortunately, most projects relating to repairing orfuture. However, it is inevitable not to lose some roof
replacing roof shingles are basic enough that they canshingles throughout the longevity of being a
be tackled by the homeowner and won't require thehomeowner. By saving your shingles, you can ensure
services of a contracted professional. However, it isthat when it is time to make repairs that you will have
important to realize that working on roofs pose amatching shingles readily available.
serious threat of danger, and it is vital to ensure yourAfter you have removed the damage shingle, simply
safety before working on a roof.replace it with your new shingle, cut a new tab for it,
If you don't trust your abilities than you should contractand then secure it with roofing nails. You may also
a professional who is trained and more secure inchoose to use roofing tar to secure the shingle down
handling roof work. If however, you feel comfortableand fill in any gaps that you notice. It is also important
working on your roof, and then by all means, youto replace any nails that were removed in any shingles
should engage in the project and repair the shinglesthat were adjacent to the damaged shingles.
yourself. Some roofs may require you to replaceIf you are going to replace all of your shingles and start
individual shingles, or you may need to tear off the olda new installation, then it may be beneficial to have a
shingles and install new ones. When roof shinglesfriend help you who has experience with roofing. If you
become damaged, they can cause your roof to leakfeel confident in doing the project then you will begin
and suffer damage.by removing the existing shingles. This is accomplished
The first step in repairing roof shingles will be to gentlyby tearing the old shingles off. This can be
lift the shingle tabs that are holding the shingle in place.accomplished by using a variety of tools. Pitchforks,
It is also important to note if the broken shingle isshovels, and shingle scrapers are all used in the
actually nailed in or if it is a shingle that is adjacent toscraping and removing of existing tiles. With the shingle
the broken one that you are replacing. You will need toscraper, you can simply insert the scraper under the
carefully lift up the shingle tab, and then you can pry upshingle, then lift. The scraper pries up the old shingles
on the nail head and remove the nail. Once you haveincluding any roofing nails. After you have removed all
access to the broken shingle, you can remove it easily.of the old roof shingles, you can then install the new
It is also a good idea to keep extra roof shingles onshingles.