How to Replace an Asphalt Shingle Roof
Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing materials used for homes. These shingles are relatively inexpensive, are simple to install and can last for several decades. However, dramatic changes in temperature can cause asphalt shingles to crack and split over time, allowing water to enter the shingles. Water in the shingles can cause algae and fungus to grow on the asphalt. When the shingles become damaged, you need to replace them. Replacing shingles not only increases a home's protection, but it improves the home's appearance. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Sturdy ladder
- Flat pry bar
- Hammer
- Asphalt shingles
- Utility knife
- Roofing nails
- Roofing cement
Instructions
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1
Lean a sturdy ladder against the roof, and use it to climb onto the roof. Starting at the highest peak of the roof, use a flat pry bar to pull off the shingles. Remove any nails from the shingles with a hammer's claw.
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2
Continue removing all of the shingles from the roof, working from the peak downward. Allow the shingles to slide off the roof. Once all of the shingles are removed, place them in a trash container.
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3
Begin laying the starter course on the roof. Cut off the tabs two inches from the top on the starter shingles using a utility knife. Lay the starter shingles around the drip edge of the roof, and use a hammer to nail three roofing nails into each starter shingle.
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4
Lay the first row of main shingles over the starter course, with the tabs extending to the edge of the starter course. Hammer four roofing nails into each shingle, with each nail placed 3/4-inch above the cutouts of each shingle. Coat the nail heads and the gaps between shingles with roofing cement to prevent strong winds from prying up the new shingles.
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5
Place the next row so that the bottom of the shingles' tabs barely touch the top of the cutouts of the shingles directly below. Continue laying the shingles in the same manner until you reach the roof's peak.
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6
Cover the shingles on the roof's peak by first cutting several shingles vertically into thirds so that each section contains a tab. Trim the upper side of each section with the utility knife, and place the sections across peak's ridge. With the tabs facing outward, bend the shingles so they fit over the peak.
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7
Hammer two nails into the upper part of each shingle, on both sides of the peak. Each shingle should have four nails, two on each side of the peak. Dab roofing cement on the nails.
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Tips & Warnings
Never work on a roof in wet or icy weather conditions, because you could slip off the roof.
If the roof is steep, you may need to use roof jacks to be safe.
References
- Photo Credit tiled roof image by Dmitry Goygel-Sokol from Fotolia.com
