Stop Leaks and Damage with These Easy
Roof Repair Tips

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There are few things that cause homeowners more stress than leaky or damaged roofs. Fortunately, with proper roofing replacement and repair, these problems can be taken care of quickly. As long as leaks and required repairs are relatively minor, homeowners can take care of roof repairs on their own quite easily.

Roof Repair: Replacing Shingles

Damaged shingles are often the cause of a leaky roof. Thankfully, this roof repair task is quite easy to complete. For asphalt shingles, you will need a pry bar, a replacement shingle (it should be the same size and color as the shingles currently on your roof), roofing nails, and a hammer. Use the pry bar to lift up the shingles that overlap the damaged one. Any nails used to secure the damaged shingle should be removed. Remove the shingle you want to replace. Then, insert the new shingle, taking care to ensure that the surrounding shingles are returned to their original positions. Use your hammer to secure the shingle with roofing nails. Return roofing nails to their original holes, if possible. 

Roof Repair: Fixing Curled Shingles

You may find that asphalt shingles are curled upwards along their edges, which can also contribute to roof leaks. This can be fixed quite easily. You will need roofing cement, a hammer, roofing nails, a putty knife, and a relatively heavy object like a brick. Apply roofing cement with the putty knife to the area that is curled up. Then, press firmly on the curled-up portion to secure it to the roof. Hammer several roofing nails into the shingle. Finally, place an object like a brick on top of the shingle until the cement has dried.

Roof Leak Repair: Flashings

Flashings are a very common source of leaks. Examine all of the flashings on your roof. If you find a flashing that is detached from either the structure (such as the chimney) or the roof that may very well be the cause of your leak. To fix this, simply apply a generous amount of roofing cement along the seam of the flashing to reattach it. If the flashing is extremely damaged or corroded, it may have to be completely replaced, which is a job best left to a professional roofing contractor.

Roof Leak Repair: A Word of Advice

Repairing a roof is one of the more difficult home maintenance tasks, but most homeowners can take care of basic roof repair on their own. If you have a severe leak, however, or your roof is not structurally sound, you may have to consider professional roof repair and replacement.