If you need to repair your shingle roof, you’ll need professional assistance to do it effectively and safely.
Roofing is a dangerous job, which is why there are nearly 100,000 roofing contractors around the country.
The sooner you repair your damaged roof, the better you’ll be able to prolong your roof’s lifespan and save yourself money.
In today’s post, we’ll explain how to repair a shingle roof.
We’ll give you some tips on recognizing the need for roof repair, how to tackle repairs, the importance of roof maintenance, and the importance of expert help.
As one of Arizona’s top expert roofing services, we can help you keep your roof in good shape for longer.
Keep reading and learn more about what to do when your roof needs repair.
Recognizing Roof Damage
The sooner you detect roof damage, the sooner you can get it repaired and avoid costly roof damage.
On average, replacing a roof costs over $10,000, but regular repairs and maintenance can keep your roof healthy for longer.
So, how do you recognize signs of shingle roof damage?
Curled, Damaged, or Missing Shingles
Inspecting your roof regularly is important to detect early signs of roof damage.
The first sign of trouble is often curled and damaged shingles. Over time, you may notice missing shingles as well.
Moisture is the most common cause of curling shingles, while heat – a more prominent issue in Arizona – causes them to shrink and crack.
When you start to notice these signs of damage or you see bare spots on your roof where shingles should be, it’s time for repairs.
Clogged Gutters
Another early sign of shingle trouble is clogged gutters from shingle granules.
Your shingles will shed granules over time, which slide into your gutters.
If you notice an excess of tiny asphalt grains, take a closer look at your shingles, as some may need to be replaced.
Leaking
When asphalt shingles start to shrink, crack, and disintegrate, you’ll be left with small gaps in your roof.
This allows water to come into your home when it begins to rain, which can be problematic for numerous reasons.
The biggest problem that arises from this is mold, which has various health effects.
As soon as you detect leaking in your roof, you’ll need to act fast to make the repairs and avoid water damage in your home.
How to Repair a Shingle Roof
Repairing a shingle roof depends on the problem at hand.
If your shingles are severely damaged or part of it is missing, you’ll need to remove the old one and put a new one on.
Shingles that are curled or cracked can be repaired on the spot and don’t necessarily need to be replaced.
Fixing Curled Shingles
When fixing a curled shingle, the key is to act fast.
The longer you leave it in its curled state, the more likely it is to crack and completely break apart.
If you get to it right away, you can salvage the shingle by gluing it down to the roof.
To do so, you’ll need a caulking gun and some roofing sealant.
Apply the sealant to the corner(s) that have curled up, then weigh it down with something heavy – a brick often works wonders.
Leave it there for 24 hours and your shingle should stay in place.
Fixing Cracked Shingles
You can employ the same tactics for cracked shingles.
Use your caulking gun to place a thick line of sealant beneath and along the full length of the crack.
Press the shingle down and put a second line of sealant on top, using a putty knife to spread the sealant across the crack.
If you’re worried about appearances, you can likely collect some of the granules that shed from your shingles out of the gutter.
Spread them over the crack and your shingle will look normal to the naked eye at ground level.
Replacing Shingles
If some or all of the shingle is missing, you’ll need to put a new one on.
Start by removing whatever’s left of the old shingle using a pry bar.
Slide it underneath the damaged shingle until the nails begin to pop up and, when they do, press the shingle back down and use the back of a hammer to pull the nails out.
You’ll need to repeat this process with the shingle above the damaged one, as they’re secured to each other.
Once it’s done, you can slide the new shingle in and replace all of the nails – there should be eight in total.
If you don’t have any leftover shingles from the initial installation, you’ll need to find a close match from the hardware store.
Why You Need Professional Roof Repair
These roof repair tactics might sound simple, but that’s not always the case.
Firstly, roofing is a dangerous job and you should never get up on your roof to do this work unless you’ve got some experience.
Anything beyond the most basic repairs should be handled by expert roofing services.
They’ve got the tools and experience to tackle all roof repairs effectively and safely.
If you’ve got multiple missing shingles or a sagging roof, it’s important to get it professionally inspected to know how to move forward.
The tactics that a professional roofing company uses will give your roof the best chance at longevity.
For us, it’s not about providing you with a quick, temporary fix.
It’s about giving you a solid roof over your head for as long as possible, keeping your home safe, and saving you money.
Great roofers will give you quality workmanship and a service warranty to back it up.
If anything goes wrong with your roof repairs, they’ll come back and deal with it for no extra cost.
It’s this type of peace of mind that makes it worthwhile to hire a professional.
Get JLC Roofing for Your Roof Repair Needs
Fortunately, you don’t need to know how to repair a shingle roof.
JLC Roofing is the top roofing repair service in Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, and Sun City.
Whether you need minor roof repairs, routine maintenance, or a full roof replacement, we can help.
As an A+ BBB-rated company, we’ve helped thousands of Arizonans deal with their roofing problems.
Contact us today to schedule your roof inspection and get a free on-site estimate.
Looking for Local Roof Repair Contractors?
With years of experience, our trusted team provides top-quality roof repair services to meet all your needs.
Contact Us Today at (623) 878-9832
Or request a free estimate online for your next roof repair project!
