Shingle Roof Repairs: Tips and Guidelines

Autumn is here and with it come the rains and the approaching winter season, which means you’ll need to pay special attention to your roofs for possible leaks before you need shingle roof repairs. These leaks are most often caused by missing or cracked shingles or a blistered area depending on the type of roof. Thankfully, shingle roofs are fairly easy to deal with as they require the least amount of serious effort to fix in most cases.

What to Know About Shingle Roof Repairs

Once you’ve located the point where the damage has occurred you should check for possible curled, cracked or even missing shingles. This goes doubly so for places where you have vents and chimneys as they are more vulnerable to such deterioration.

If you fail to locate any spots with your own skills you may need emergency roof repair services, so keep that in mind as you prepare yourself.

What to Do If You Find Problems

If you do manage to find problems with your shingles you can deal with the shingle roof repairs fairly easily. In cases of curled-back shingles you can reinforce and reattach them with a caulking gun or alternately with asphalt roof cement. When you’re dealing with shingle roof repairs on warm days straightening shingles can be a very easy task as they soften up. However cold weather makes them brittle and in need of softening.

Softening up a brittle shingle requires the use of a propane torch. You’ll need a good nozzle to spread the flames as well before you begin. Use the flames around the curled edges of the shingle. This allows them to  soften up. Avoid putting too much heat or you risk setting the shingle aflame. Once its softened up you’ll find its very easy to flatten it back to its original shape.

Reattaching or Replacing the Shingles

Reattaching a shingle is an equally easy task. Simply lather roof cement liberally over its bottom. Then put a good deal of it on each of its corners and that will be enough to get things done. Remember to press the shingle into place once you’re done.

If you have any missing, rotten or torn shingles, you should make sure you replace them with new ones as soon as possible. The last thing you want is more leaks. Once the weather turns bad during a time when shingle roof repairs will be difficult.

When You Need a Full Replacement

If you are experiencing a large area of damaged or rotten shingles, then you will be in need of a brand new roof. You should consider working with a professional roofer. Or you can replace the damaged shingles yourself with new ones or leftovers from previous times you’ve done this.

If you can’t find good, matching ones you can work at patching things with bits of aluminium and copper.

Shingle Roof Repairs: How to

Replacing shingles can be done in the following way:

• Remove the damaged shingle by raising the edges of the shingles around it, then remove the nails with a pry bar. Slide the old shingle out, then scrape any leftover cement under it to clean it up.
• Remove any leftover nails that are protruding from the roof.
• Round the back corners of the shingles using a sharp utility knife for easier placement.
• Slide the new shingle in place. Make sure you align its front edge with the shingles on each of its sides. It should align its back under the shingles on the row above.
• Lift the corners of the shingles overlapping and each other and fasten the top of the shingle with galvanized roofing nails at each of the corners. Cover their heads with roof cement and smooth down the edges of the shingles.

Guest post provided on behalf of: fulham-removals services