Repairing Wind Damaged Roof Shingles

If you own a home, chances are you’re thankful for the roof over our head! Roofs are usually strong, durable, and are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. Still, Mother Nature sometimes gets the best of even the toughest roof shingles. It’s reported that “wind gusts of 40 mph have been found to damage shingles or even lift them from rooftops, especially if the shingles are aging or are improperly sealed.”

If your area has recently experienced strong or extreme winds – and if you’re not afraid of heights! – take some time to check your roof for any damaged, curled, or missing shingles, fixing them if necessary. If you’re not sure how to do that, here are a few steps you can take.

  1. Safety first! Always have someone help you – never work on, or even inspect, a roof by yourself. A safety harness is wise if you have access to one. Remember to walk slowly once on the roof, especially if it’s an angled roof.
  2. Get the right tools. Once you have a helper or two, be sure you have the appropriate tools: a sturdy and secure ladder, gloves, protective eyewear, proper shoes, and something to pry the shingles up (such as a crowbar or even a hammer).
  3. Know what to look for. Look at the corners of shingles to see if they’ve curled or pulled up, or if they’re cracked. Adhesive can be used to fix a cracked shingle without needing to replace it if it’s a clean crack, but if it’s old and brittle, it’s probably best to replace it. Also, look for any leaks or areas where water may be able to seep into your home. Once you’ve assessed the situation, get a final count of how many new shingles you’ll need.
  4. Get the right shingles. Bring one of your damaged shingles to the store where you’ll be purchasing them (Lowe’s and Home Depot are good locations to buy shingles but be sure to check out your local hardware stores, too!) to find matching ones. Purchase the amount needed to repair your roof. Be sure to grab a few extras just in case!
  5. Begin removing shingles. Use your crowbar or the claw of your hammer to pry up the damaged shingles until you see the nails. Loosen the nails, as well as the adhesive using your chosen tool. Once you’re able, pull up the entire shingle and discard it. Remove all the damaged shingles before replacing them – this will ultimately be the easiest method.
  6. Replace shingles. To complete this step, you’ll need a few things: shingles, shingle adhesive or cement (this can also be purchased at your local hardware store), and roofing nails. It’s important to note that some shingles have adhesive already attached to them, but it’s probably still wise to purchase some extra adhesive for extra security if desired. Remove the adhesive backing (if applicable) or put down new adhesive where the previous shingle used to be and lay down the new shingle, nailing it securely into place using the roofing nails

If your roof needs repaired beyond what you feel comfortable doing yourself, don’t hesitate to call Elite Restoration! And if you live somewhere that often experiences high winds, check out this article with tips on how to prevent wind damage to your home and property.