Fixing Damaged Roof Shingles

Maintaining a sound roof literally tops the list of crucial home repairs: It keeps you and your family warm and dry, along with everything in your house. Any damage or signs of wear call for immediate action to keep water from seeping under the shingles and rotting the wood sheathing beneath. Ignoring a problem—even what appears to be a small one—will accelerate the need to reroof and can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of a new roof.

If your roof is more than 20 years old and most of the shingles are damaged or badly worn, it's time to replace it. But if your roof is basically sound and is at a relatively shallow pitch that you're comfortable working on, you can probably handle most repairs yourself. Here, we'll take you through the three most-common ones: replacing damaged shingles; gluing down a badly curled shingle; and repairing shingles that have cracked. Always make roof repairs on a warm, dry afternoon; the shingles will be more supple and less likely to crack. And never climb onto a roof that's wet, icy or covered with morning dew.

Replacing a Flat Asphalt Roof

A flat asphalt roof can develop problems over time. The asphalt can become cracked and water can seep through the gaps. The water leaks can cause the wood beneath the asphalt to rot and fall apart. You can replace your flat asphalt roof with the right tools and materials. This home improvement project will take about two days to complete. Be sure to check the forecast for a couple of days of good weather. Work on day when the temperature is at least 45 degrees F.

Roof repairs

Roof repairs are often made after the damage has been done; however, if you keep up on routine roof maintenance you can avoid unnecessary damage altogether. Our roofing section tells you what roofing styles and materials are popular, how to winterize and waterproof your roof, how to apply new shingles, how to make minor roof repairs, and when it’s time to forgo the repairs yourself and call a professional roofer.

Roof Repair Basics: How Your House Works

The common denominator in all roofing is that several layers work together as a system. Understanding how this system works can help you talk knowledgeably with a contractor, or help you make buying decisions to do your own work.
One of the earliest roofing materials was thatch, bundled reeds attached to rafters. Surprisingly weathertight, it is incredibly labor intensive, taking even a skilled thatcher weeks to complete. Later came roofs protected by overlapping slates, clay tile and cedar shakes (below), all of which remain in use today. But the great workhorse of the modern American roof is the asphalt shingle. Used for more than 100 years, it's a good choice for handy homeowners who want a product they can install themselves.

The common denominator in all roofing is that several layers work together as a system--each element from the roof deck on up contributes to resisting weather. Understanding how this system works can help you talk knowledgeably with a contractor, or help you make buying decisions to do your own work.