Step-by-Step How to Repair a Roof Edge

Repairs to roof edges should be handled regularly.

Roof edges take a lot of abuse. Rain water pours over them, wind tries to blow under them and any branches or debris that hit your roof will most likely hit the edge first. Keep your roof edge in good repair helps keep your whole roof in good condition. Rot spreads through wooden roof members like silent fire, and it often starts at the roof's edge. Check your roof edge every two years during a dry time of year to minimize the likelihood of rain while repairs are made.

Things You'll Need

• Chalk
• Flat flashing
• Edge flashing
• Flashing caulk
• Hammer
• Tin snips
• Flat scraper
• Drywall knife
• Small pry bar
• Roofing nails and rubber washers

Instructions

1. Stand on a ladder so that you are eye level with the edge of your roof. Lift the bottom row of shingles with a flat scraper or drywall knife, being careful not to lift it far enough to cause cracks in the shingles. Examine the roof edge. Mark the shingles with chalk in any area that you notice damage to the plywood decking or metal flashing edge.

2. Cut flat metal flashing in square patches a little larger than any areas in the decking that are dark or weathered. Make the cuts with tin snips.

3. Apply construction adhesive or flashing caulk to the back of the patch and slide it under the shingles to cover the damaged area. Use a hammer to drive two ring shank nails with a rubber washer through the shingles and flashing to hold the patch in place.

4. Replace badly rusted or damaged edge flashing. Wedge the shingles up so that the flashing is easily accessible, using a wood block under a flat scraper or drywall knife. Start at one end and gently pry the flashing up from the bottom of the roof edge with a small flat pry bar. Work along the edge, lifting the flashing until the nails release. Typically it will be in 8- to 12-foot sections. Once a section is loose, lay it down carefully where no one will step on the nails.

5. Apply a bead of flashing caulk to the back of a new piece of edge flashing the same size as the old flashing and nail in place, using flashing nails and a hammer.

6. Cut the old flashing into small enough pieces to fit in your garbage can with tin snips and dispose of them.

Tips & Warnings

• Badly rotted ares, or large areas of damage are serious and should be brought to the attention of your insurance agent. Rot and large areas of darkened decking indicate shingle failure. That section of roof should be professionally repaired immediately to prevent interior water damage.

References

• "Home Roofing Repairs;" James E. Brumbaugh; T. Audel; 1975
• "Complete Home Repair;" Various Authors; Black & Decker Corporation; 2008