How to Patch or Repair your Asphalt Shingle Roof

Missing shingles can create quite the problem for your home in Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, or Tacoma, and if you need to patch your roof, we want to make sure you do it the right way. Here are our tips.

But first, you will need the following materials

1. New shingles

2. Measuring tape

3. Ladder

4. Hammer and Nails

5. Plastic Roof Cement or other Roofing Adhesive

6. Pry Bar

Step 1: Check for Leaks

If your roof is leaking, check to be sure you have the exact location pinned down. You will want to look in your attic. Once you see the source, have someone run water on your roof for 1-2 minutes to make sure your leak isn’t more problematic.

Step 2: Head to the Roof

Grab a buddy and your ladder and head on up. You’ll want to start to bring up your supplies at this time, and your buddy can help spot the ladder and help with supplies.

Step 3: Start your Repair

If you have a damaged shingle, lift it away from the roof and use your hammer or pry bar to remove any nails. You’ll then use your pry bar to lift the shingle above the damaged shingle and then remove the damaged shingle. Leave the shingle above slightly up, so that the new shingle can fit underneath.

Check to makes sure your underlayment is in good shape, and if it is, you can now replace the missing shingles. To patch, you will cut a new shingle to fit and then slide it under the shingle above it to cover the area.

Step 4: Finish

Fasten the shingle with your hammer and nail but be sure to coat the head of each nail with roofing adhesive and press the shingle above down on top of the nails to secure.

Once the adhesive is dry, your roof will be patched and leak-free.

If all this seems too much, or you have a much larger area to patch, please give us a call. We would be happy to help!