How to Replace a Damaged Asphalt Shingle

Timely replacement of a damaged roof shingle can prevent further leak damage or extend the life of a roof that's just beginning to fail. Hopefully your roofer left behind a partial bundle for repair purposes.

Things You'll Need

• Roofing Cement
• Replacement Shingle
• Long Safety Rope
• Putty Knife
• Roofing Nails
• Extension And Roof Ladders
• Flat Pry Bar
• Hammer
• Wood Block

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Instructions

1. See "Setting up ladders and equipment," How to Repair a Cracked or Split Wood Shingle, to set up ladder safely.

2. Tap a large, flat pry bar under the damaged shingle just above the gap between tabs until you hit a nail. Center the tool's nail-pulling slot on the nail, tap the bar in a bit more, and press down on the other end to pry the nail partly out. Then place a block of wood under the bar just down the roof from the nail to act as a fulcrum, and pry out the nail the rest of the way.

3. Continue to remove all nails that secure shingles directly above the damaged shingle and that also penetrate the top edge of the damaged shingle.

4. 

   Pull out the damaged shingle and slip in the replacement (see A).

5. 

   Align the replacement shingle and lift the shingle above it as needed to nail the new one into place with 1-inch (2.5-cm) roofing nails (see B).

6. Replace any nails that you removed from the shingles above.

7. Dab roofing cement over all the nail heads that you couldn't remove without breaking the shingle, as far up as it should go (just above the notch).

8. Use a putty knife to spread a little roofing cement under each shingle tab that you lifted during the repair, and press each shingle down to adhere it to the one below.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't attempt repairs that require walking on a steep or wet roof.