windows with blue shutters on second story of home

Repairing Your Roof

As a savvy home or business owner, you know that it’s a good idea to learn how to do some repairs yourself every now and again. It can save you both money and the hassle that can come from hiring someone else to do the job. If the damage you are considering isn’t extensive, or if you are just needing to do maintenance on your roof, you can use the following information for repairing your own roof.

Perhaps your roofing is made up of asphalt shingles. Over time, these get brittle and lose their flexibility. Strong winds will break those shingles instead of settling back into place. 

Lift up the tabs of the damaged shingle, as well as the one above it, so that the nails can be removed. Once the damaged shingle has been taken out you can just replace it with another. Make sure to embed the nails into the felt and sheathing. Over time, the heat of summer will cause both the roof and shingles to expand and those nails can then pop out of place.

A few points to consider during a larger project: 

  • Because the roof is sloped, make sure you layer the shingles from bottom to top, overlapping the top set with the bottom. This ensures that your roof is protected from all the weather elements.
  • Rent a nail gun when replacing a large number of shingles. Most can be rented for about $20 a day and usually come with a measurement guide that can save a lot of time. The standard width between each row of shingles is 5 inches.
  • During a larger roofing project, you will probably find yourself replacing plumbing vent boots. These can be made of plastic, metal, or a combination of both. Check your old plastic base for cracks, and your metal base for broken seams. Examine the rubber boot that surrounds the pipe, too, since this can be rotted or torn, and that will allow water to work its way into the house. If your existing unit is not in great shape, replace it. You will have to work the neighboring shingles free on both sides, and be sure to keep the shingles that are in good shape to save money.

When it comes to repairing your home or business, you can always count on Ascension General Contractors to help you get the job done!