Repairing Asphalt-Roof Shingles

Every part of the country experiences some high winds and rough weather once in a while, and there may come a time when some of your asphalt roof shingles are damaged or just plain fly away. Knowing how to fix those areas right away will keep damage to a minimum and doesn't require a contractor's license. All it takes is a little basic knowledge, the ability to climb up on your roof, and drive a nail or two.

You can replace an asphalt shingle in less than a half an hour, but don't rush. Doing it right the first time can mean the difference between a good fix or a leaky roof the next time it rains. For this job, you'll need replacement shingles, roofing nails, some roof adhesive that can be placed in a caulking gun and a flat pry bar. If you need to patch the roofing paper beneath the shingles, you'll need a putty knife and some roofing cement.

Follow the guidelines below for a stress-free repair job that can last years if you do it right.

1. Remove the damaged shingle. This is done by gently pulling it loose. If you have to replace more than a single shingle, start by removing the highest one in the damaged area. Try not to damage or tear surrounding shingles as you do this
2. Remove old nails with the pry bar. Gently lifting the shingle above the removed shingle, you'll find several nails that need to be pulled. If you can't pull them out, firmly nail them down into place.
3. If you see any holes in the black roofing paper beneath the shingles, patch with roofing cement and a putty knife, smoothing out edges and allowing to dry before continuing.
4. To replace the shingles, start at the lowest row first and work your way up. Place a roofing nail on each side of the shingle, about 1 inch from the edge and 1 inch down from the top of the shingle, and then 3-5 roofing nails along the top edge. Place side by side, edges snugly together but not overlapping.
5. For the last shingle, caulk a bead of roofing cement along the top edge of the shingle, above the seal line, and slip the shingle into place beneath the bottom of the shingle above it.
6. If possible, gently lift the shingle above so that you can drive some roofing nails into this last piece. If you can't lift the upper shingle without risking damage, don't do it. Merely press firmly on the shingle edge to ensure a good bond of the roofing cement with the roof surface.

Follow this procedure to replace separate shingles, or small groups of damaged shingles. If you have larger areas of damage that require total replacement, you may want to consider re-shingling the entire roof.

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