How To Repair A Small Hole In A Shingle Roof

If the shingles are severely damaged don t try to salvage them.

How to repair a small hole in a shingle roof.

If the hole is less than an inch i would caulk the hole. Begin by removing the shingles down to the wood sheathing and slip a strip of adhesive ice and water barrier available where roofing repair products are sold under the soffit main roof joint. More than an inch i d nail on a flat metal sheeting. Depending on how the roofs join you may have to cut a slot to work it in far enough.

Slip a hacksaw blade under the shingle above and cut through the nails that held the old shingle in place. Smaller nail holes will be permanently fixed by this method standard roofing nails would be either 3 8 inch or 1 2 inch making a hole 3 8. Start by applying a thick bead of roofing sealant under the crack. A hole in a metal roof system can be caused by any number of sources the hole may be from deterioration and rust or it may be from something falling onto the roof surface such as a large branch.

Nail tar paper on with roofing nails over every 18 inches of the perimeter and along any overlapping sheets. Remove shingles and cut tar paper to visually inspect if hole penetrated roof sheeting. Loosen the adhesive underneath the tabs of the damaged shingle then pull them free and discard. Slip the top of the paper in under the flaps of the shingles above the repair.

Clean the repair area. Press the shingle down and apply a second bead of sealant on top of the crack. Fill small nail holes with silicone caulk or roof cement. Next use a utility knife to trim a new shingle to match the width of the space.

Loosen and remove the damaged shingles. Lay the upper sheet of tar paper 2 inches over the lower if two sheets are needed to cover the section. Lay roofing felt or tar paper over the missing shingles. If a shingle is simply cracked or torn you don t have to replace it just repair it.