How to Repair a Cracked or Split Wood Shingle

Properly installed shingles provide three layers of protection, but when a shingle cracks and the crack falls right over a joint, a leak may occur. A prompt repair can save you money and lots of trouble.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Replacement Shingle
• Shingle Nails
• Measuring Tape
• Nail Set
• Long Safety Rope
• Utility Knife Or Saw
• Extension And Roof Ladders
• Hacksaw
• Hammer And Chisel
• Wood Block

Setting up ladders and equipment

1. Position an extension ladder so the bottom is out from the house about one-quarter the distance from the ground to the roof edge, and so the top extends several feet (about a meter) above the roof edge.
2. Hook a roof ladder over the ridge and secure a rope from the top of the ladder to a solid anchor point on the opposite side of the house, such as a tree or a deck railing.

Removing and replacing the shingle

3. Split the cracked shingle into numerous pieces with a hammer and chisel. Then wiggle the split pieces back and forth as you pull them down and out. Saw off the nails that secured it with a hacksaw blade (see A).
4. Measure the gap for the replacement shingle and cut one about 3/8 inch (1 cm) narrower to allow for expansion when the shingle gets wet.
5. Tap the shingle into place until it hits the nails (a dent appears at each nail). Measure how much farther the shingle would have to go to align with the others. Then pull out the shingle and, at each dent, cut slots as long as your measurement with a utility knife or saw.
6. Tap the shingle to within 1/2 inch (12 mm) of its final position. Drive two shingle nails at a 45-degree angle into the shingle, just below the course above it (see B). Use a nail set to complete the nailing. Drive the new shingle up the remaining 1/2 inch (12 mm) with a hammer and a block of wood.

Tips & Warnings

• To minimize the chance of both personal injury and damage to shingles, never walk on a wood roof. Wood roofs are slippery when wet; loose shingles often pull out when stepped on; and brittle, warped or loose shingles are easily damaged. Always work from a roof ladder and do not overreach.

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