Replacing wood shingles
Cracked and damaged wood shingles should be immediately replaced if you want to avoid roof leaks and maintain your roof’s structure.
Here are the materials and tools that you will need:
- Hammer
- Chisel
- Pry bar
- Extension Ladder
- Hot-tipped galvanized roofing nails
- Roofing cement
- Wood block
- Hacksaw
- Replacement shingles
Safety precautions
Working on a roof is a very dangerous job. You will need to assure the minimum safety for yourself and your partner.
Removing damaged wood shingles
To do this use a hammer and a chisel. You can crack the shingle and then remove the pieces.
Measurements
You will need to cut a replacement shingle. It has to be a little smaller than the old one, because of the moisture it will expand slightly. most wood shingles come in bundles so you may have some extras from the installation.
Installing the new shingle
Use a pry bar to lift the shingle directly above the one that you want to remove. You need to lift it enough to remove the old nails that hold the old shingle. Use a hacksaw and remove those nails. Extract all the remaining parts of the old shingle.
Place the new shingle in its place. Allow it to hang down past the other shingles that are next to it, around 1/4 of an inch. Now drive two nails into the top of the shingle at a 45 degree angle.
Now place a wood block at the bottom of the new shingle. This will act as a buffer between the hammer and the shingle. Line the shingle with the others. The nails should bend and slide under the shingle on the top. Use roofing cement to cover exposed nail heads. Now push the shingle above that has been pried down to its original position.