How to Fix Blown Off and Damaged Roof Shingles?

Homeowners have to check on their roof after any storm, especially for shingle, surfaced roof types. A storm can easily tear and damage roof shingles and even blow off some pieces away. After assessment and there are damaged and blown off shingles, every homeowner should at least know how to fix the problem or a hired roof repair service can always come in handy but expect to pay a high price.

Fixing damaged and blown off roof shingles is generally easy. So don’t wait. Replace those shingles straightaway before more damage can be done to your roof and to your home as a whole.

Let us first give a quick description of roof shingles (common choice of rooftop in the US) and the most common type used.

Quick Description of Roof Shingles?

Roof shingles are a type of roof covering that consists of overlapping elements that are usually flat and rectangular. These elements are laid in rows from the bottom edge of the roof going up. Each successive row of elements overlaps the joints beneath it. Various materials compose a shingle, which includes flagstone, metal, plastic, wood, slate, and composite materials like fiber cement and asphalt shingles. Roof shingles are more prone to damage.

Most Common Roof Shingles Used in the United States

There’s a wide range of roof types for homeowners and home builders to choose from. Nonetheless, asphalt shingles still remain to be among the most widely chosen type for roofing primarily because of its low cost, availability, and assortment of styles and colors. There are two major types of roof shingles, the organic and the fiberglass.

Fiberglass Roof Shingles. This particularly has a fiberglass mat, which is covered with asphalt so that water stays out and protects other essential parts of the roof. The asphalts are covered with ceramic granules so that it reflects harmful UV rays.

Organic Roof, Shingles. Commonly made out of reprocessed felt paper. Much like fiberglass shingles, organic roof shingles have a coating of asphalt so that they are made waterproof. Organic shingles are usually more resilient than fiberglass; however, they cost more to buy.

Cost of asphalt

The primary factor that significantly impacts your decision for roof replacement boils down to the price. Asphalt shingles are the best choice for the thrifty homeowner since they offer strong, durable roofing cheaper than any type of roofing. The variety of colors and styles is also a plus factor because it matches any style a homeowner chooses for the home.

How to Fix Damaged Roof Shingles

The easiest approach to repair damaged roof shingles is to replace them individually or in series. Damaged shingles can be taken off and replaced with new ones. Then again, these sections could be recognizable, as climate conditions could cause the older shingles to lose its original color.

Here are the tools you are going to need in roof shingle replacement:
• Pry bar with nail puller, hammer, and utility knife
• Galvanized roofing nails
• Matching new shingles
• Ladder

Steps When Fixing Damaged Roof Shingles

1. Get a sample of the damaged shingle to the hardware store to purchase a bundle of shingles (or an equivalent number of shingles damaged. Get an extra in case of breakage) that closely resemble the damaged shingles.

2. Fix your shingles on days that are warm and sunny. Fixing roof shingles on a cold day may cause shingles to crack; on the other hand, fixing on a hot day will cause the shingles to.

3. Before even starting, you will need to understand how the original shingles were affixed and mounted on the roof structure.

4. Use a pry bar to take out damaged shingles and old nails. If the shingle or shingles had been blown off altogether, clean the area and remove any nails still attached and other debris.

5. Usually, you will find four nails. Two of those would be holding the blown off shingle, and the other two holding the shingle over it and penetrates the shingle under it. Remove those momentarily while you slip the new shingle in place. Make sure that the new shingle is not on top of old nails as it can destroy the new shingle.

6. Slip a new shingle underneath the shingle on top of it. Take care not to displace or damage the existing shingles. There could be a need to remove the nails of the shingle over it to be able to make a secure hold.

7. Nail the new shingle into place and use a new nail to the shingle over it. Repeat the process on the other areas of the roof that’s missing a shingle.

8. The whole process is actually easy, but it could be a challenge for anyone doing this the first time. But if you get the hang of it, your next replacements become easier.

How are Roof Shingles Blown Off in the First Place?

There are several factors that shingles get easily blown off. Generally, if shingles were not attached properly, there’s a big possibility that it gets easily blown off or removed from its place. Understanding proper installation will help prevent this from happening again in the future.

There are a couple of ways that shingles are installed on a roof, through adhesive strips or roofing nails.

• Adhesive strips. Some shingles are manufactured with adhesive strips that, when attached, creates a sturdy seal that’s waterproof to the shingle under it.

• Roofing nails. The make of roofing nails tends to have shorter shanks, with sharp points, and with flat and wide heads to allow it to penetrate the shingle without ripping it.

Here are common reasons that roof shingles gets easily blown off:

• Incorrect installation. Nails could be positioned too high rather than through the proper nailing strip. When this happens, the shingle can easily be blown off or easily tear when conditions get worse.

• Damage to the roof. If the main roof framework is damaged or rotting, the shingles are not able to install firmly and may let moisture get underneath. With decay, the shingle nails can pop out and loosen the shingle.

• Insufficient cure time. In cases of adhesive strip installations, allow them to cure at about 4-6 weeks (depends on weather conditions) to allow maximum efficiency.

• The roof reached the maximum age. Normally, a roof has a life of about 10 to 15 years. Through the years, shingles endure the long exposure to many elements, and materials, including seals, weaken.

Final Thoughts.

Replacing roof shingles and roof repair could be easy. Nonetheless, you can always contact professional roofers to do the job for you. Plus, you get the advantage of getting a free assessment as they look at the overall condition of your roof.