HOW TO REPAIR A ROOF

After longer periods of time roofs will begin to degrade. This will eventually lead to cracks and leaks.

If you wish to repair your roof leak, the materials that you will need for the job are gloves, a knife, rags and a hammer, roofing nails and of course a ladder. Also,shoes with strudy flat soles and binoculars can also help on this project.

Locate the source of the leak. If the leak is through an unfinished ceiling, look at the rafters and sheathing and look for the drip.  If the leak is through a finished ceiling, the location of the leak will be more difficult to locate. Once up on the roof, you'll have to inspect the entire area.

Once you are on the roof, look in the suspected area. The leak will likely either be a missing or damaged shingle. After you find the damaged or leaking shingle, remove the shingle. 

Slide a new shingle into place. The tabbed end of the shingle goes downhill; the other end goes uphill. If the shingle is too wide, it can be trimmed with a utility knife. Put the shingle on a hard surface upside down, then score it with your knife. Break away and discard the excess. Remove a tad more than necessary to get it to fit. You don't want it jammed and too tight because when it gets hot it may begin to buckle. A good 1/8" gap on each end is sufficient.

Carefully bend back the two overlapping shingles in the upper course. Use four high quality galvanized roofing nails. Tap them gently through the new shingle. Remember, new shingles have a thin strip of asphalt like material on the top side, running left to right. Your nails need be further uphill than this line.

The most important thing to remember when you repair a roof is your safety!