How to Repair a Roof With Shingles

Split shingles can be repaired; badly damaged shingles should be removed and replaced.

The rooftop of your house is protected by overlapping rows, or courses of individual shingles. Properly installed, these shingles can prevent moisture from penetrating into the house's underlying framework. Over time, shingles can be damaged. Split or rotten shingles will compromise the water-resistance of the house. A split shingle can be repaired by inserting a metal shim underneath the split in order to restore the shingle's water-resistant properties. A badly damaged shingle needs to be removed and replaced with a new piece.

Things You'll Need

• Metal shim
• Tin snips
• Wood block
• Hammer
• Pry bar
• Slater's ripper or hacksaw blade saw
• Replacement shingles
• Corrosion-resistant nails

Instructions

Repairing a Split Shingle

1. Cut a piece of metal flashing to fit under the split shingle. Make the piece about 2 1/2 inches wide, and about 1 inch longer than the exposed portion of the shingle being repaired.

2. Bend the lower corners of the metal shim. Bend the corners down so that when the shingle is slid into place the bent corners will keep it from slipping out.

3. Insert the metal shim underneath the split shingle. Center the metal underneath the split in the shingle and knock it into place using a wood block and hammer. Position the metal shim so that its lower edge ends up flush with the butt end of the shingle.

Replacing a Badly Damaged Shingle

1. Pry the damaged shingle with a pry bar. Lift the shingle until the nail shafts are exposed.

2. Pull the nails with a slater's ripper; or cut the shafts with a hacksaw blade saw.

3. Remove the damaged shingle.

4. Insert a new shingle into position so that the butt end of the replacement shingle is about 1 inch below the butt end of other shingles in the course.

5. Fasten the shingle with two corrosion-resistant nails. Drive each nail about 3/4 inches from the edges of the shingle. Start the nails just below the shingle course above, and drive them into the shingle at a 45-degree angle towards the upward slope of the roof.

6. Knock the shingle into place using a wood block and hammer. Position the shingle so that the butt end of your replacement piece is flush with the other shingles in the course.

Tips & Warnings

• A slater's ripper is a specialized, hooked tool that can be slid underneath a shingle and used to pull the nails free.

• A hacksaw blade saw is a narrow, toothed saw-blade mounted to a handle. It can be used to cut the shafts of the nails holding the shingle in place.

• Always be careful when working on a rooftop. Wear a safety harness to prevent fall and resulting injury.

References

• Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau: Cedar Roof Care and Maintenance