Easy Steps for DIY Shingle Repair

A broken shingle on a roof can be the cause of some serious problems. The open space is a breeding ground for leaks and damages to the inside of your home. Sometimes, you may find that you have a missing or broken shingles, but don’t want to call someone to replace that single piece.

If you want to avoid calling roof replacement contractors for a single shingle, there are a few steps you can take to fix it on your own. Let’s take a look at how you can replace a shingle on your roof all by yourself.

Step One: Lift Up the Tabs

The first step to fixing the shingle on your own is by lifting up all of the tabs. The tabs are what keep the shingles in place. You can easily do this by gently tapping a flat bar or flat rod under the part and lifting up. However, it’s important to be careful with this initial step. Shingles are delicate and can break easily. If you accidentally lift and push too hard, you could break other shingles on the roof that are perfectly fine and intact.

Step Two: Prepare the Area to Remove the Nails

Along with the tabs, the shingles are held together with nails. Each tab and shingle has eight nails to secure the piece to your roof. Once all of the tabs have been lifted, you can begin to remove the nails. Make sure you use the bar to pry the nails out of the tab. The bar should be placed in the center of the nail so you can easily pull it out. Again, remember to be careful so you don’t rip the tab or the shingles.

Step Three: Remove the Nails

Now it’s time to get the nails out of the way. Pop them out by prying under the shingle. If you were to dig the nail out from the top of the shingle, there’s a good chance that you’re going to break it. Push the shingle down and pull out the nail head. Once all of the nails are out, you can easily pull out the broken shingle.

Step Four: Replace the Shingle

When the old shingle is out, insert the new one. You should be able to easily pop it into place. Nail it down directly at first and then nail the layer above it.

When replacing a single shingle, you don’t have to call out an expert. You can easily do it yourself by following the steps above and by replacing the piece on a nice, sunny day. Asphalt shingles can last 20 to 50 years depending on the climate in which they are installed, so once you make the replacement, you should be good for a while.