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How To Replace A Shingle On Your Roof

The Shingles Are Curling

How to Install Roof Shingles | Ask This Old House

Shingles can curl in two ways: There’s cupping, which happens when the edges of the shingles turn upward and there’s clawing, which is when the edges stay flat and the middle starts to come up. “Both are signs of weathering and indicate that problems potentially leaks are relatively close to fruition,” says Mark Graham, vice president of the National Roofing Contractors Association.

How much time you’ve got left: “Depending on the extent of the curling, it could be anywhere from a year to five years before you need a new roof,” says Graham.

You Have Damaged Flashings

If you have any flashing installed around the details, chimneys, valleys, skylights, rakes or walls of your home, separation can be a potential problem and a good sign that your roof needs replacing. If the flashing opens and closes due to contractions or expansions, the bottom part of the flange will actually lift up and cause water to enter your home. This means there can be sneaky leaks, and you dont even know about it until its too late.

If you do happen to notice some of the signs that your flashing may be damaged, the best thing to do is to call your local roofing company to get a proper assessment on how extensive the damage actually is.

asphalt shingles roof damaged that is in need of repair.

Our Free Roof Inspection

How do you know when its time for a new roof? The only way to be sure of your residential roofs current condition is to have a licensed professional personally inspect it. Werner Roofing is proud to offer free roof inspections for every client, so you can be sure of your roofs condition. Every Werner Roofing inspection comes complete with our promise: We wont recommend or sell a roof replacement unless its necessary.

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Assemble The Items On Your Roofing Materials List

Now its time to collect the tools youll need to complete your roof work. Most of these should be available in your local home improvement store, but you can also order equipment online if needed.

Shingle Removal Tools Youll Need:

  • Sturdy ladders
  • Garden fork and/or roofing shovel
  • Push brooms

Additional Materials Youll Need:

  • #30 Roofing felt
  • Ice and water barrier

Roof Repair In Halifax Ns

Consequences of Putting Off A Roof Repair

The residential roofing market has recently seen an influx of substandard products and practices. You should remain wary of any company offering unrealistically low rates.

Elite Roofing Halifax will be the best option available to you. They have top-notch experts to solve all your roofing problems. Their top priority is your safety so they never recommend you to repair the roof yourself.

Your roofing worries will become a thing of the past once you contact them. It will bring you peace of mind and the results will satisfy you.

Disclaimer: This article intends to offer general knowledge on this topic. While every caution has been taken to provide accurate information, it does not intend as professional advice. Please consult with an industry professional in your area to obtain proper advice based on your unique circumstances. Elite Roofing Halifax and its parent company will not be held liable in any way should you suffer any loss/damage because of the information in this blog.

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Top Five Signs Its Time To Replace Your Asphalt Shingle Roof

There are a number of easily observed warning signs that indicate your roof is wearing out and that you can expect future leaks and trouble down the road. When these indications start popping into view on your roof, it is a good idea to start thinking about replacement or repair if that is possible.

1. Missing Granules

Missing granules, when viewed from the ground, look like dark patches on light shingles or lighter patches if the shingles are black or dark. You will also see large amounts of granules in the gutters when you clean them.

The loss of granules do not affect the waterproofing of the roof, so if they are missing you wont necessarily get leaks. But the granules protect the asphalt in the shingle from being damaged by the UV rays of the sun. So once they go, the shingles will wear out faster.

2. Curling Shingles

Curling Is the result of the asphalt in the shingles drying and shrinking over time. They become brittle as a result. In high winds, they will begin to get blown off. There is no repair for this other than replacing the tiles affected or, if widespread on your roof, time to replace the roof..

3. Lots of Moss

Moss growth on shingles doesnt necessarily mean that shingles are old or worn out, particularly if it is only in one area. Often the affected shingles can be simply cleaned to remove the moss.

4. Shingles Blown Off the Roof

5. Age of Roof

How To Repair Your Roof

How to DIY a shingle repair

If your roof is less than 20 years old, but you still are considering repairs, make sure you do your research. You can often patch or repair a roof without having to replace the whole thing.

If youre confident in your DIY abilities, you can replace damaged shingles and underlay material yourself. Heres how:

  • Locate the damaged shingle, lift it up with your fingers and pry out the nail with the back of your hammer
  • Remove any old roofing cement residue with a wet rag and paint scraper
  • Round off the back corners of the new shingle with a sharp knife or box cutter
  • Slide the new shingle into place and secure it with roofing nails into each upper corner
  • Cover the nailheads with roofing cement

You can buy shingles, roofing cement and nails at any home improvement store. Take a piece of your old shingle with you so an employee can point you towards the correct shingle.

How to find a roofer

If you think you need to replace your entire roof, research and find a reputable contractor. Make sure their license is authentic and up-to-date. Pay attention to whether their references recommend them without hesitation. You can also check sites like HomeAdvisor or Thumbtack for verified reviews of contractors in your zip code.

Read Also: Extending Roof Overhang Cost

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What If Your Roof Cannot Be Repaired

If the damage incurred to your roof is irreparable then you might need to go with a roof replacement. A full roof replacement will be quite expensive but it can become a worthwhile investment if you make the right choices.

It is recommended to go with the same type of roof shingle that you have used previously because then you would not have to spend more on changing the look of the rest of your house exterior. You will be more comfortable installing it because you have personal experience of how long it will last.

Other than that the first option is to go with asphalt roofing. Asphalt shingles come in a variety of textures, colors, and designs. They can be customized according to your likes and dislikes. They can be fixed on different types of surfaces such as metals or concrete.

They are of high strength and so they have high durability. They are a budget-friendly option because they are easier to install so installation costs are low. They do not require much maintenance plus they are easier to replace.

Metal roofing can also be used. They are known to last for 20-40 years if maintained properly. They have a high cost but they do not corrode or get rusted. They protect against fire and mold.

They easily shed snow and rainwater so it saves you time. They are made of recycled material so it is an eco-friendly option.

They provide natural insulation so it can help you save on energy bills. They can easily handle harsh weather and last quite long.

How To Replace Missing Shingles On A Roof

How to Replace a Roof Shingle (DIY)

In a season of high winds, its not uncommon for asphalt shingles to lift up and break off completely. If you notice a few damaged or missing shingles after a winter storm, it may be time to gather your supplies and climb onto your roof for some much-needed repairs.

In other circumstances, your roof may be badly worn with multiple missing shingles that have accumulated over the years. At times like these, its best to consult with a professional roofing company to determine if a complete roof replacement is in order instead of temporary patchwork that may only waste time and money.

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Roof Repair Safety Tips

USA Today reports roofing is the fourth most dangerous job in America. Working on a roof is physically demanding because it involves climbing, bending, kneeling, and heavy lifting, explains the Bureau of Labor Statistics .

Before beginning any roof repairs, you should understand it is physically challenging work. Take some safety precautions:

  • Consider the slope and height of your roof. Working on a very steep or high roof requires extra safety equipment to prevent falls.
  • If your roof is unstable or has soft spots, do not attempt the work yourself. There could be a risk of collapse.
  • Never work in inclement, rainy, snowy, or windy weather.
  • Be certain of your ladder placement Secure the feet and the top of the ladder.
  • While on the roof, always be aware of the edge. You could lose track of your position while working.
  • Only use the proper equipment for roof repair including proper personal protective equipment.
  • Ask a friend or family member to help you so you have someone to stabilize your ladder and get any tools or material you need.

Missing Shingles Dryhome Has You Covered

Whether you decide to match shingles or go for a full replacement, DryHome will work hard to get you a look you love while working within your budget. If we can replace shingles in an appropriate and aesthetically pleasing way, well do it. And well have our team up on the roof before work begins to make sure things look right. If a full or partial replacement makes the most sense, well work with you to file an insurance claim and replace your roof with high-quality materials that will last and look terrific.

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Underlayment For Overall Secondary Roof Protection

Next its time for the roof underlayment, which can either be an asphalt-saturated felt or a synthetic roof underlayment. Both offer you peace-of-mind protection beneath the shingles. While the asphalt shingles will be the primary water-shedding roof layer, there are many benefits to installing a roof underlayment. The felt is laid in horizontal courses, overlapping the eave ice and water protector by 4 and the valley membrane flashing by 6. Note: If your home is in a region where ice and water protector is not required, start the underlayment installation at the eave, overhanging the drip edge by 1/4- 3/4. Remember that drip edge we installed at the bottom of the roof? When going up the sloped edges of the roof it goes on top of the underlayment. Although this seems to contradict the overlapping principle, installing the drip edge over the underlayment at the rakes creates a clean roof edge and provides the underlayment attachment with increased resistance against wind uplift. Also, any wind-driven rain blowing on the rake edge would cross the top flange of the drip edge and go on top of the underlayment instead of beneath the underlayment where it could potentially cause a problem.

IKOs RoofGard-Cool Grey Synthetic Roof Underlayment gives your roof secondary layer of protection.

Get Multiple Opinions On What Your Asphalt Roof Needs

Roof Installation Prices Guide

Before you replace your roof, its crucial to get multiple opinions. When a roofing salesman comes to your home, their job is to sell you a roof.

Thats why the first thing you should do after getting one roofing estimate is to get another. For example, if one contractor says you need a full roof replacement but three others say you just need repairs, then your roof probably only needs repairs.

Read this article on whether you should repair or replace to learn more about if your roof just needs repairs or a complete replacement.

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How To Spot A Missing Shingle

This is the simple part: head out to your lawn and get a good view of your roof. Missing or damaged roof shingles are easy to spot and usually stick out like a sore thumb. If the roof shingle is missing completely, youll notice a much darker spot on your roof where the shingle used to be.

Damaged roof shingles will usually be:

  • Discolored,
  • Curled, or
  • Hanging on by a corner

A healthy roof will look like a nice even pattern, so really, youre just looking for anything thats out of place. Make sure to do a walk around your house so you can get a full view of your roof from different angles. You may even notice missing shingles scattered in your yard.

In some cases, you maynotice a leak or draft on the inside of your house due to a missing roof shingle. If this happens, you should call a roofing professional right away to prevent any further damage to your roof. Hopefully, the damage to your roof is as simple as a missing shingle with no leaks, in which case you might be able to fix it on your own with the tools below.

Install Ice & Water Barriers

Now its time to install ice and water barriers. To do this:

  • Lay a chalk line 36 inches from the edge of the eaves. Note: if you have gutters, the barrier must cover all gutter flashing.
  • Align the barrier with the chalk line and staple it every couple of feet along the top edge.
  • Lift up the bottom part and remove the backing.
  • Let it fall back into place. The material will immediately adhere to the roof.
  • Now lift the top section , remove the backing and lay it down carefully to avoid wrinkles.
  • Move onto the next section, overlapping seams by 6 inches.
  • Youll also lay barriers in all valleys and around chimneys, skylights, and other protruding roof features.

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    How To Replace Roof Cap Shingles

    Dear Tim: I was inspecting my asphalt shingle roof the other day. At the top of the roof where the peak is, I noticed some defects. My shingles are only six years old so I was shocked to see deterioration. The shingles covering the peak of the roof do not look like all the other shingles on my roof. The color is the same, but they have a strange shape. How can I replace the defective ones without damaging adjacent shingles? What is causing the shingles to go bad so fast? Sheila P., Waynesville, Ohio

    Sheila: Congratulations on doing that roof inspection by yourself. Not many have the nerve to get up and walk on roofs. Just last week I was up on my friends steep roof helping to remove a tree that had fallen on his home. The only mistake I made was wearing nice work boots that have a fairly stiff sole. My sneakers that have a more flexible sole would have given me much better traction on the asphalt shingles.

    Seven months ago I published a small book that speaks to what you discovered. Its called Roofing Ripoff. I was inspired to produce the book after my own 30-year-warranty asphalt shingle roof began to fall apart in just 10 years!

    I did extensive research into why asphalt shingles are failing so fast. In my opinion, the evidence points to too much air being blown into the liquid asphalt as the shingles are being made. This extra oxygen pre-ages the shingles. I cover this in great detail in my short book.

    Roof And Interior Showing Signs Of Water Damage

    How To Install Shingles #2 Getting Started

    A roof that displays signs of damage caused by excessive water should be a signal to replace the roof. A soggy roof can, over time, lead to additional moisture which can lead to rot. If the interior core mat is made of organic materials, the chances of rot occurring is much higher. Any browning or yellowing on the inside of a home is also a sure indicator that the shingles need to be replaced.

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    Do I Need To Remove Old Shingles Before Installing New Shingles

    Although not removing the old shingles might seem like it would save you money, its a bit like putting a bandaid over a broken bone. You cover up the problem, but the damage is still there and its only going to get worse over time.

    Most local building codes allow homes to have up to two layers of shingles, so its definitely possible to shingle over an existing roof. After two layers of shingles, however, you risk putting too much weight on the structure of the home. For this reason, the majority of building codes dont permit a home to have more than two layers of roofing materials.

    Problems With Installing A Metal Roof Over Shingles

    Getting a new metal roof is an expensive purchase. So, it makes sense that you want to try to save money where you can.

    Some homeowners do this by trying to install a new metal roof over their current asphalt shingle roof. While this is possible in certain circumstances, some problems come with it.

    For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided honest and unbiased roofing information to homeowners like you. Because of this, I want to help you understand the problems associated with putting a metal roof over a shingle roof.

    Lets get to 5 problems with installing a metal roof over the top of an asphalt shingle roof.

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