The roof is one of the most important parts of a house. Without it, you’d be exposed to the elements. Not only that, but your house would lose its structural support.
That’s not to say that they’re invincible, though. Like all things, they can and will wear out over time. For example, the shingles can become curled or cracked.
Is that what you’re dealing with? Want to know how to fix damaged roof shingles?
If so, you’re on the right page. We’ll be going over the solutions below. Keep reading to learn more about the topic!
Table of Contents
How Often Should You Replace Your Shingles?
The answer is—it depends on the material. For example, asphalt shingles should be replaced every 15-20 years. As for wood shingles, they can last up to 25 years.
If anything, that’s why you want to examine the roof regularly. If the shingles look damaged or badly worn, it’s probably time to replace them.
Note: When it comes to fixing the roof, it’s always a good idea to hire a professional. That way, you won’t have to risk your own safety. For example, there’s Heins Contracting for those in the Madison area—why not check it out?
How to Replace Roof Shingles
First things first, you want to gather your tools—this includes a hammer, pry bar, and a handful of nails.
Once you’ve got everything, you can begin to remove the damaged shingle by sliding the pry bar under the shingle immediately above it.
From there, slip the pry bar underneath the damaged shingle—one of the nails should pop up. Repeat this step for the other nails. You should then be able to pull the shingle out.
How to Fix Curled Roof Shingles
Roof shingles can curl upward or downward over time. To prevent it from getting worse, you can glue down the curled section.
More specifically, you want to apply a small dab of sealant underneath the curled corner. Weigh it down with a brick or something similar and leave it in place for at least 24 hours so that the sealant can dry.
How to Fix Cracked Roof Shingles
Cracked shingles can easily be repaired with a bit of roofing sealant. That is, you want to apply it under and on top of the crack.
Use a roof brush to spread the sealant and wait for it to dry. If you want, you can even camouflage the “fix” by adding some colored granules on top.
Fixing Damaged Roof Shingles
And there you have it—a short guide on how to fix damaged roof shingles. If anything, the last thing that you want is to ignore a problem; it can easily accelerate the need for a new roof, which would cost you much more.
Looking for more articles like this? If so, you might want to check out some of our other posts!