How To Repair Damaged Roof Shingles

If you live in Myrtle Beach, SC, you should know how often storms and hails hit this area. So, repairing a damaged shingle on your home more often than you would love to should not be a surprise.

When the roofing nails come off the asphalt shingles the roof, you must find a way to fix it. 

The best approach would be to call an experienced roofer. They will thoroughly assess the roof and fix it professionally.

But a DIY project should be an excellent adventure if you are up for some challenge. And in this guide, we will show you how to repair damaged roof shingles.

When Should You Get Replacement Shingles

Damaged shingles should be replaced immediately before water starts slipping under the roofing material to cause rotting to the wood underneath. Place a new shingle instead of the old one, and your roof will have more life.

However, there comes a time when simple repairs don’t just cut it anymore. In such cases, a complete replacement is necessary.

Asphalt shingles can last for about 15 to 20 years under proper maintenance. Hence, you should consider replacing our shingle roof once it hits 15 years.

Many factors affect the durability of a roof. Severe roof damage caused by extreme weather conditions can force a repair job sooner than needed. And this is why you must always repair any damaged shingle before it spreads the effect to the surrounding shingles.

There is no need for a replacement if your roof is still in sound conditions and has a relatively shallow pitch. You can comfortably repair such.

Repairing shingles on a roof is not a very simple job. There are a lot of factors to consider, including safety and roof setup.

So, before you embark on this journey, ensure you are well prepared. Never work on the roof during severe weather conditions.

With that in mind, we have explained how to fix shingle roof damage.

Tools

The first and most important step is to gather all your tools. For this task, you will need:

• Safety equipment
• A flat pry bar
• A roofing sealant
• A caulking gun
• New shingles
• A utility knife
• Nails

We have divided this guide into two parts, removing the damaged shingles and fixing the new materials.

1. Remove the Damaged Shingles

So, the first and most important step is removing the damaged or loose shingles. Always take proper safety precautions at every step of the project. Have the ladder in place, wear a helmet, and have other gear properly set in place.

Here are some of the things to do during this stage:

Safety

As stated earlier, repairing shingles is not an easy job. Accessing the roof safely and following other safety precautions is crucial.

Use a secure ladder at all times. And when walking on the roof, go slow and ensure every step is safe before taking it.

If you are replacing a few missing shingles, you may need jacks and harnesses. But if some areas have a loose roof sealant causing the material to slide, this could be the safest way to follow.

identify the damage

The next step is to assess the damaged shingle. This is the same area where you will install the new shingles. You need to check it carefully.

Asses the areas around the old shingles and check how much of the area is damaged. Touch the shingle directly to test for any signs of seepage.

You can use a putty knife to slowly lift the adhesive strips and look deeper. If the surrounding shingles have clear signs of moisture trapping, you will have to expand your repairs further.

Consider the Weather

An old shingle roof can be quite hazardous, and working under bad weather conditions can increase the risk of injuries. We recommend working in cool weather to keep you safe and avoid further damage.

We have the shingles in the roof area you wish to work on before removing them. This helps them tighten and firm up, which is crucial if you are working in the heat.

Loosen the Adhesive

Carefully lift and loosen the adhesive under the tabs on the first and second rows for the shingles above the damaged area. You may need a large hayfork before you begin removing all the shingles.

You need to remove at least five tabs in the second row above the damaged ones. This is the best approach when you are working on 3-tab shingles.

Keenly pull up the necessary shingles until you can see the nails. Ensure the end seams are lined up nearly a foot off one side of the affected shingles.

Loosen the Nails

You must now see the exposed nails from the first row. Slide the flat pry bar under the damaged shingles can carefully lift each tab around it about 45 to 60 degrees. Be sure to go slowly and then remove each nail carefully.

You can save a lot of money if you keep the shingles in good condition. Otherwise, you will be forced to replace even the good ones that may be damaged during the replacement process.

Keep Loosening

Keep working on loosening the adhesive and nails around the damaged roof part. Now lift the tab under the first row and remove the loosened nails from the shingle. Use a pry bar carefully, touching the corners, too, to avoid breaking the materials.

Remove the Damaged Shingles

You should be able to access the damaged one for repairs easily now. Loosen the adhesive under this shingle, and then pull it free. Don’t attempt repairing shingles that are severally damaged. Just have them replaced, and you should be good to go.

Remove them until the area is clear. You can slide the pry under the seal to lift and remove every piece of the damaged shingles.

In case there are more nails, you can use the back of your hammer to pull them out. Just be careful when sliding anything under the singles to avoid damaging other parts of the roof.

2. Replace the New Shingles

Many roofs in South Carolina face high winds and other weather extremes that may affect their durability. And that is why it’s crucial that you get the replacement part perfectly.

This is another delicate process that requires a level of concentration. You can easily break the new shingles you are now carefully.

Follow these steps to ensure the success of this process.

Get your tools

You will need new shingles. Depending on how many are damaged, you can get them at your local store.

Shingle cement or adhesive is necessary for shingles that need adhesive strips. But if you want it to stall unbacked shingles on your asphalt shingle roof, you might be forced to get more adhesive.

Get at least four nails for each piece, although you might have to use up to eight nails.

Fix the new shingle

Gently place the new shingle in the place you removed the damaged ones. Remove the adhesive strips from the shingles that have them.

Most shingles feature pre-cut holes for the nails. Ensure you set them properly, following the holes.

Resealing

Reseal under the edges in all three shingles. Carefully lift the tabs on the shingles and install them with a 1-inch diameter spot of cement.

Once you have finished replacing the shingles in the damaged areas, start working on the other loose ones. You need to ensure each shingle is replaced carefully.

Secure any loose shingle

You can easily tell any shingle is loose. Gently press the shingle down and feel how it moves. Keep an eye on shingles that are not strongly fixed in place.

Water can damage the shingles when it gets underneath. Securing them properly ensures you never have to face such issues. Also, your shingles can easily crack if they are not secured properly.

Check the shingles again

Check your replaced shingles for any signs of breakages or other issues. In case of broken shingles, use an adhesive to fix them immediately. You don’t need to remove them completely if the damage is not extensive.

Dispose of or safely keep any leftover shingles. You might need them later.

As you can see, replacing damaged shingles is not an easy task, especially when working around a chimney or other fixtures. Luckily, you can always count on your trusted local roofing contractor to do a good job for you.

Lenox Roofing is one of the region’s most experienced and reputable roofing contractors. They offer the highest quality and affordable shingle roof repair services. Get in touch with the team today and put your worries to rest.