How to Replace a Shingle
Roof shingles are made to withstand the elements, but no matter how good your shingles are, they well eventually be damaged. Here’s how you can replace a shingle quickly and efficiently.
Tools
Hammer
Roof nails
Shingle Cement
Utility knife
Caulking gun
Procedure
Check your roof for damaged shingles on a dry, sunny day to prevent any unwanted accidents. Make sure to observe all safety cautions when going up and down the roof. Count the number of damaged shingles.
Go to a roofing store and buy the number of shingles that you need.
Locate the row of damaged shingles, and locate the second row above the broken shingles.
Loosen the adhesive under the tabs of the second row above the broken shingles. Do this carefully so as not to damage the good shingles. Lift the tabs slowly to expose the nails underneath. Withdraw these nails using the claw of your hammer.
Lift the tabs of the first row above the broken shingles by loosening the adhesive again. Again, withdraw the exposed nails underneath.
Once the nails have been removed, you can now shimmy the broken shingle loose. Remove it completely.
If the sizes of the old shingle and the new shingle don’t match, use a utility knife to cut the new shingle into the appropriate size.
It is easier to remove shingles in hot weather after hosing them down with water.
Avoid overbending shingles in cold weather as this may cause them to break, being extra-brittle due to the temperature.
Secure the new shingle by re-nailing the removed nails back in their original positions.
Reseal the two rows of shingles by using a caulking gun to apply a one inch diameter of shingle cement under each tab. If you don’t have a caulking gun, you can use a putty knife or even a paint-stirring stick.
Continue doing this for the other broken or damaged shingles.
Clean the roof gutters and any debris you find on your shingles.