How to Fix Roof Shingles Flaking Off in Wind

Working on roof shingles in extreme cold or heat can cause the shingles to crack easily or be hard to remove.

Roof shingles that flake from the wind, and not from hurricane conditions, likely were not installed correctly the first time. Roofers typically use a total of eight nails to secure shingles to the roof, including four that secure the shingles to the shingles that sit above. Replacing missing or broken shingles, as well as reinstalling shingles that are coming loose, takes only a few minutes per shingle. Choose a day without rain when temperatures are mild, if at all possible.

Things You'll Need

• Flat pry bar
• New shingles
• Hammer
• Roofing nails

Instructions

1. Insert a flat pry bar under the shingles above any broken shingles. Gently lift up on the other shingles enough to remove the four nails securing the broken shingle to the shingles above it.

2. Lift up on the shingles sitting above the broken shingle. Slide the pry bar under the broken shingle and pry out the four nails securing the shingle to the roof, then remove the shingle entirely.

3. Slide a new shingle in place and drive eight roofing nails, four into the shingle itself and four through the shingles above and through the shingle, securing the new shingle to the roof.

4. Use the hammer to drive in any loose nails on shingles that are not damaged but have begun to come loose. Drive in replacement nails through the shingles or the shingles above, making sure there are at least eight holding the shingle in place.

5. Cover any areas where the shingles are completely gone with new shingles. Secure the shingles the same as the others, with four nails through the top of the shingle itself and four through the shingles above and the new shingles.

References

• Family Handyman: Easy Shingle Repair