Cedar Roof Maintenance: Making Repairs To Damaged Shingles
Cedar shingles create a look that you just can't get with any other type of roofing. The exposed wood grain creates a rustic look that fits with log-cabin-style homes or with a country cottage. Besides these aesthetic benefits, you also get a long-lasting roof. Cedar-shingles have been known to last for 50 years or more. Still, to get the most from your roof, you should do your part to repair your roof when necessary. Repairing a shingle is definitely something you can do as long as you know what you are doing.
How to Locate Damaged Shingles
Each roofing material will show damage in different ways. The thing to look for with a cedar roof is cracked shingles. Cracks along the bottom edge of your shingle are not a problem as long as they do not extend past where the shingle overlaps the underlying shingle. Once cracks grow too far, your only option is to replace the damaged shingle.
How to Repair a Damaged Shingle
Use the following steps to make repairs:
1. If you try to pry out a cracked shingle, you can end up damaging the shingle that lies on top of it. Thus, you should use a chisel to break up the damaged shingle, then slide the pieces of the broken shingle out of the way.
2. With the shingle removed, you can carefully use a cat's paw to pull the roofing nails.
3. Fill the nail holes with a dab of roofing cement, and use a putty knife to smooth out the cement.
4. Measure the gap between the shingles on either side of the missing shingle, and cut the new one so that it is a half inch thinner than this gap.
5. Place the new shingle on the roof so that there is a quarter inch of space between the shingle and the shingles on either side.
6. Slide the shingle up until the bottom edge of the shingle extends a quarter inch below the other shingles in the same row.
7. Drive two roofing nails into the shingle at an upward angle.
8. Cover the nail heads with a dab of roofing cement.
9. Tap the bottom edge of the shingle until it is even with other shingles in the same row, and the nail heads of the replacement shingle are covered.
As long as you are comfortable with heights, you should have no problems making repairs to a cedar-shingle roof. On the other hand, if you don't have the time or the head for heights to make your own repair, you can always call roofing professionals to make the repair for you. Contact a business like Durable Roofing Company if you have questions about your roof.
