Your home’s roof loses integrity over time due to a wide range of reasons, from harsh environmental weather to everyday wear and tear. Given the number of ways a roof can become damaged, it’s important to make regular inspections and repair potential issues before they turn into major problems.
If you’re wondering how to repair an asphalt shingle roof yourself, the wise answer is to call a roofing professional and have them assess the condition of your roof.
Residential roof repair or replacement should be done by trained installers. Unless you’re experienced, it’s often simply not worth the risk of climbing onto your roof to fix a few shingles yourself.
And if your roof repair turns into a laborious event, qualified roofing professionals are equipped to handle the ins and outs of the roofing job from start to finish.
If you feel your asphalt shingle roof needs repairs, there are a few steps you can take to ensure it gets done safely and correctly.
In this article:
- Step 1: Determine if Your Roof Needs Repair or Replacement
- Step 2: Fix Minor Problems to Stop Immediate Issues
- Step 3: Contact a Professional to Repair Your Asphalt Shingle Roof
- Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1: Determine if Your Roof Needs Repair or Replacement
A variety of factors will determine if your roof can be repaired or needs to be replaced entirely. A repair is unlikely to solve existing issues, and even in the best-case scenario simply buys time before a roof replacement is necessary.
Some examples that require roof repair or replacement include:
- Missing or broken shingles
- Cracked flashing
- Old or aging roof
- Dipped ceiling
- Increase in energy bills
- Visible water damage
- Pest infestations
- Rot and decay
- Mold or mildew
If you’re not sure, call us at 1-800-998-8301 and book your free roof inspection. Our experts will be able to quickly determine if your roof is damaged, and what work may need to be done.
Step 2: Fix Minor Problems to Stop Immediate Issues
A damaged roof is at a higher risk for leaks and water damage, which could lead to larger and more expensive repairs further down the line. Unless leaks (minor or otherwise) are caught very early on, they can cause issues that are difficult to spot, with the resulting damage often requiring major roof repair.
You may have to fix immediate problems while working with a roofing professional for a longer-term solution.
Finding a leak can be a difficult task, but some of the most common causes of roof leaks and signs to look for include:
- Cracked flashing
- Damaged roof vent seals
- Clogged gutters
- Ice dams
- Damaged chimney
- High humidity in the attic
Patches and sealants are measures you can use to temporarily repair an asphalt shingle roof. Patch kits consist of asphalt pieces that are cemented over damaged shingles in multiple layers. Sealants involve liquid rubber or polyurethane applied via painting, spraying, or caulking to seal water leaks and cover damage.
Step 3: Contact a Professional to Repair Your Asphalt Shingle Roof
Unless you’re a true do-it-yourselfer and the envy of the neighborhood, the best way to repair an asphalt shingle roof is to contact an experienced roofing contractor. Though it may seem tempting to do it yourself, a qualified contractor has the knowledge and expertise to carry out the complex job while staying safe and remaining within laws and regulations.
Other things to consider include sourcing the correct material, addressing current issues, and adhering to industry standards.
Doing it yourself can lead to a host of potential issues that lead to much bigger problems. Before you decide to take on the project yourself, consider the following:
- Your physical ability and risk to injury
- Experience level and understanding of roofing
- Time, labor, and materials necessary to complete the job
- Accurate assessment in diagnosing the damage
- Creating more damage in the process
The bottom line is that a roof replacement is almost always a better option than having your asphalt roof repaired. Contact the roofing experts at Erie Home today to learn about your roof replacement options. Besides a free inspection and estimate, metal roofs and asphalt roofs from Erie Home are available in a wide variety of styles and come with a transferable limited lifetime warranty. We can even help with financing.
Call us now at 1-800-998-8301 to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you repair a section of roof shingles?
Technically you can repair a section of roof shingles, but that only delays an inevitable roof replacement. Repairing roof shingles requires precision work, and if a large enough section needs repairing, there’s a good chance the entire roof needs replacing anyway.
To avoid potential complications, only seasoned pros or qualified contractors should repair or replace asphalt shingle roofs.
How do you patch a shingle roof?
A patch kit contains multiple sizes of asphalt pieces and roof cement. To patch a shingle roof:
- Remove any gravel around damaged spot
- Clean the area of debris
- Apply asphalt primer
- Layer flashing cement
- Apply asphalt shingle patch
- Repeat the process with each asphalt patch
How do you replace single shingles on a roof?
Single shingles can be replaced on a roof by removing the old, damaged shingle, fixing any needed repairs, cleaning the area, and applying a new shingle. Replacing shingles on a roof is best done by those qualified to handle the detailed work of roofing.
Can you reroof over asphalt shingles?
Yes, you can, as roof-overs and overlays are often a less expensive alternative to a complete roof replacement. Contact Erie Home today at 1-800-998-8301 to learn more about your options and how we can help.