The occurrence of loose shingles can be attributed to various factors such as improper installation, temperature fluctuations, water and moisture damage, wind and storm damage, the longevity of the shingles, poor ventilation, etc. Ignoring the issues would lead to serious problems such as roof leaks that damage the structural integrity, deterioration of the insulation and loss of efficiency, promotion of excessive moisture that leads to mold growth, increased cost of repairs, diminishing the longevity of the structure, etc.
Timely repairing of these issues prevents the problems from worsening and becoming costlier over time. It saves the structural integrity of the home and maintains its longevity. LEarn How to fix loose roof shingles simply 8 ways.
Signs of Loose Roof Shingles
- Missing shingles in a particular area indicate damage.
- Flashing damage around the different segments of the roof i.e., chimneys, vents, or skylights, may be because of damage caused by loose shingles..
- A sudden and heavy hailstorm or prolonged damage from mild ones may dent or crack the shingles, indicating loosening.
- Brittle shingles filled with cracks, often missing granules, indicate loosening.
- Loose shingles make it easier for water leaks to occur, leading to stains inside the house, on the ceiling.
Tools and Materials to fix loose roof shingles
- Ladder
- Safety harness
- Roofing nails (or screws)
- Hammer or pneumatic nailer
- Roofing cement or adhesive
- Utility knife
- Pry bar
- Replacement shingles
- Roofing sealant or flashing (if required)
- Gloves
- Safety goggles
- Measuring tape
How to fix loose roof shingles – Best Ways To Find
Step 1: Assessing the level of shingle damage
- Use a ladder to climb up to the roof and get a proper view of the damaged area. There might be several signs of loose shingles. The shingles might be dented/cracked due to hail storms or might have lost their shape from prolonged contact with moisture, as well as contraction and expansion. You might also see loose nail heads or any discoloration of the shingles as a sign of deterioration. Specific types of damage can be used as signs of different underlying issues.
Step 2: Ensuring proper safety
- The primary course of action is to make sure of the sturdiness of the ladder, the safety harness, and any preemptive measures/tools available. One should not overlook other safety measures, such as wearing shoes with proper grip or having someone on the ground in case of an emergency. Roofs that are not easily accessible require more care.
- It is ill-advised to work after heavy rainfall or right after snowmelt, as a wet roof is harder to work on than a dry one.
- Repairing must be done on a dry and calm weather day. One should check the weather forecasts before choosing a day for the job
Step 3: Removing the compromised shingles
- First, take a pry bar and carefully use it to lift the compromised shingles one by one. In case the shingle is lodged with or has multiple nails, you must pull them out one at a time and carefully to avoid cracking or damaging the surrounding intact shingles. One must remember that shingles may break easily if they have become brittle through previous damage. If the shingle is torn or brittle, then use your utility knife to cut it into smaller pieces before removal
- After removing the shingle, check the area underneath. If the area underneath is dry, then there are no underlying issues. But if it has dampness, softness, or is infected by mold and shows signs of rot, then the structure needs to be repaired
Step 4: Preparing the replacement shingles
- Check whether the replacement shingles have the same size and shape as the ones you are trying to remove. A smaller replacement shingle can not be placed by using roofing cement to compensate for it. In case the replacement shingles are larger, use a utility cutter to trim them into the size and shape of the shingles being replaced
- The replacement shingle must be fully sealed to prevent water leakage. Use roofing cement around its edges
Step 5: How to install a new shingle
- Check whether the new shingle is properly aligned with the surrounding ones. View it from different angles and the ground if necessary. Otherwise, it would compromise the integrity of both itself and the surrounding ones. Check for any inconsistencies to determine if any readjustments are needed.
- Nail the new shingle in place with at least 4 nails after proper positioning. To properly secure it, lodge the roofing nails through the top of the shingle in its head. If done properly, each row of shingles will cover the heads of shingles on the previous row.
- After making sure that the shingle is placed properly, apply roofing cement along the edge lines. This ensures that there is no gap for a water leak to occur and prevents future problems.
Step 6: Inspecting the surrounding area
- Check the entire area to see if there are other signs of damage. In case of deeper issues, such as rot or mold, the signs will appear on a number of shingles above the affected area.
- Do all the repairs and replacements step by step to make sure future problems have a minimal chance of occurring.
Step 7: Examining the repairs
- After properly installing the new shingle, put your thumb on it and gently apply pressure to ensure that it is firmly held in place. Get back on the ground and inspect to see whether the newly placed shingles are properly aligned with the rest of the roof from different viewpoints. Readjust the shingles if necessary.Â
Step 8: Clearing up and disposal of excess materials
- Ensure that all the replaced shingles, nails, debris, or other unusable materials are safely gathered. The disposal of the materials must be safe and ecologically friendly.
- Clean and store the tools used for the future.
When to Call a Roofing Professional
When the repair is not limited to replacing a compromised shingle, a professional may have to be called, depending on the problem. Significant water damage, rot underneath the shingle, a large number of missing shingles, major safety concerns, lack of confidence about using the repair tools can’t be handled by the homeowner alone. Lastly, structural issues require extensive work to be done, requiring a professional.
If you think you still need a professional, then you can contact Northern Generation Construction for a professional roof inspection to confirm the issues that need repair or roof replacement. We are 30 years in the roofing industry with 10000+ successful roofing projects.
Roof shingles repair cost
The repair cost of roof shingles depends on a few things that can vary. From which material are you using to what are the wage rates, from the location of the home to how steep the $1500? Replacing the full roof with asphalt shingles can cost from$5840 to $10,100.
Preventive Tips to Avoid Loose Roof Shingles
- Check the roof after regular intervals to look out for signs of any damage or deterioration.
- Keep the gutters clean and unclogged to make sure that there is no pileup of water damaging the roofing materials
- Make sure to clean common debris such as tree branches, leaves, and other dirt, as they can put extra pressure on the shingles, gradually loosening them
- Apply roofing sealant around the edges of the new shingles you have installed to make sure it stays firmly in place and is os less prone to wind damage
- The ventilation system should be checked so that there is no excess buildup of heat and moisture.
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30+ years of experience working on residential roofs taught us a few things.
