During your fall roof inspection, you may discover a small hole (or holes) along your roofing system. Unfortunately, this isn't all that unusual after the Midwest hail and storm season.
Still, even the tiniest of holes can lead to water damage, mold, or woodland critters finding a winter home in your roofing system. So, repairing them should be a top priority.
How to Repair a Hole in Your Roof
Rest assured that you can always contact a professional roofing company to repair holes, cracks, or damaged shingles on your residential roof. But, if you're up for the challenge, you can perform certain roof repairs, like replacing or patching shingles DIY.
Nevertheless, having a roofing contractor inspect your roof is essential to ensure there is no underlying damage or moisture buildup that could create significant roof damage later.
6 Steps to Patching a Roof Hole
To get started, you'll need the following materials:
- Gloves
- Pry bar
- Claw hammer
- Circular saw
- Liquid nails
- Roofing nails
- Shingles
- Tar paper
- Roofing cement
- Putty knife
With these essential tools in hand, you can now start the process of repairing a residential roof hole.
Step 1: Remove the Damaged Shingle
Using the pry bar, remove the shingle, starting from the top and working your way down. Next, use the back of your claw hammer to pull out the nails.
Note: This first step will allow you to assess whether or not there is water damage. If so, the affected area will need to be removed and replaced, which is an ideal time to enlist the help of a professional roofing contractor!
If you find yourself in this situation, call us, and we'll stop by to inspect the damage, provide a competitive estimate, and get your roof back in tip-top shape!
Step 2: Remove Damaged Decking
Set your circular saw to a cutting depth of 3/4 inches and cut out a rectangular section of the decking that encompasses the damaged area. To avoid cutting a rafter, you may need to cut the decking into two sections.
Step 3: Build a New Frame
Use 2x4 lumber to frame the opening's top, bottom, and sides. First, attach the top and bottom frames to your rafters on either side of the hole. Next, attach the sides of the frame to the top and bottom pieces.
Finally, ensure the edges of the hole divide the top edges of the frame to provide a surface to screw the decking patch.
Step 4: Install Patch
Measure the decking dimensions, and cut a piece of identical plywood to your measurements to fit the hole. Next, you'll need to apply the liquid nails to the new patch and fit it into the existing hole.
Finally, nail the new plywood to the framing.
Step 5: Apply Tar Paper
Using roofing tar, fill in the gaps around the patch's edges. Next, lay tar paper over the hole, ensuring it reaches underneath the top row of shingles.
Finally, nail the tar paper to the decking.
Step 6: Install Your New Shingle
Begin laying the new shingle. Start at the bottom of the patch and work your way to the top. Next, nail the shingles to the roof decking. Apply roofing tar over the nails to prevent water from entering.
Need Help Repairing a Roof Hole?
Have questions about how to seal holes in a metal roof or patch holes in commercial roofing systems? Or maybe you'd rather have a professional roofer handle all the repairs, so you can sit back and relax.
Whatever roof dilemma you're experiencing, our team is here to help! For decades, we've helped both residential and commercial property owners repair and replace their roofing systems with durable roofing materials and first-class customer service and support.
Whether you need a repair or roof inspection, we have you covered! Contact us today to learn how we can help prepare your roof for all the elements!