You may think you need a professional to replace your roof shingles, but people can actually do it by themselves. However, you must first understand that working on the terrace is dangerous and take all the necessary precautions for it. Use a ladder, let people know you are working up there, and have them steer clear of the area below you. Be careful while working near power lines or TV antennas. Don’t work during wet or windy weather. Most importantly, wear heavy, rubber soled shoes with a non-skid tread.
Now that you know the basics, measure your roof and buy the necessary number of shingles. Make sure you buy a few extra in case your measurements are off or a few shingles break. Also, make sure you choose the right type of shingles if you are only replacing a few damaged ones.
Here are the steps on how to replace roof shingles:
1. Loosen the adhesive under the tabs in the row above the damaged shingle.
2. Loosen and lift the tabs in the first row above the damaged shingle.
3. Take off the exposed nails.
4. Loosed the tabs of the damaged shingle.
5. Remove the tabs.
6. Place a new shingle in the same position from which the sample was removed.
7. Attach the shingle by nailing it in place.
If you have any edges that are loose, pick up roofing cement from your local hardware store. Apply a little to the problem area and wipe away the excess. Once you take care of the minute details, that’s it—you have a brand new roof!
If you are at all uncomfortable with repairing roof shingles yourself, don’t take the risk. There are plenty of roofers in your area who would love your business. Let TalkLocal help you find the best ones who can meet your needs and your scheduling availability.
