November
2009
Replacing A Damaged Asphalt Shingle
A damaged asphalt shingle disturbs the overall integrity of your roof setup and calls for a timely replacement. The leaks and the voids resulting due to these damaged shingles affect the affiliated roofing components as well.
Instead of availing the service of a professionally acclaimed roofer on the very onset, you can yourself take the daunting task in your own hands. Though the task appears a bit complex and daunting at first sight, it can turn out to be much less demanding if proper logic is applied.
A pry bar tool has to be purchased before the commencement of the project. Make sure that the tool is a large and flat one which would add to it’s efficiency. The pry bar tool would do the actual job of going under the damaged asphalt shingle and nailing it out of the affiliated setup. In addition, a small-sized wooden bar would also be used during the course of action.
Also make way for a first-aid kit as the task is likely to cause minor nicks and scratches on your body. An eye-rinse solution and rolls of adhesive bandages are primarily constituted in your first-aid kit.
Use an extension ladder to climb up the roof. Make sure that the ladder is grounded firmly and doesn’t wobble or shake. Also the ladder should be long enough to reach out well to the top of the roof and shouldn’t be left stranded midway. In order to secure yourself completely, tie yourself to a rope that is attached to a solid structure on the roof.
Tap the business-end of the pry bar tool under the damaged shingle just above the gap between tabs. Push it in gradually until the nail-pulling end of the tool gets centered on the nail of the shingle. Now push down the other end of the tool and notice a slight movement of the concerned nail. Once the nail is partially uprooted, insert a small wooden bar just below the head of the nail and resume exertion of pressure from the other end. Eventually, the nail would be completely uprooted.
Pull out the rest of the nails from the affected shingle in the same way and completely dissociate the shingle from the adjoining fixture. Place the new shingle in place of the removed asphalt shingle and nail it down.
Apply some cement in the gaps under the shingles tab and finish off the project.
Scott Rodgers is a renowned writer who has been authoring on roofing for a long time now. His exemplary guidance has given motivation to a host of workers, ranging from Elk Roofers to Long Beach Roofers.