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.

If it has recently rained, then don’t go on the roof as it can be very slippery. Work in a warm sunny day. Position the ladder safely. It has to be at least 3 feet extended past the roof.

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.