Roofing Companies Orlando
A hole in the roof has to be fixed, or it can cause serious water damage and invite critters into your home. If you have some carpentry experience and are comfortable using a ladder and working on a roof, you can complete a temporary basic roof patch yourself.* You’ll need to gather the following materials and wear high quality, slip resistant shoes to complete this job.
Keep in mind that repairing your roof yourself can jeopardize any current roof warranty and affect future insurance claims.
Roof Repair Materials:
- Ladder
- Rope
- Rubber soled shoes
- Gloves
- Prybar
- Hammer
- Shingles
- Plywood of same thickness as existing decking
- Circular saw
- 2 x 4
- Liquid nails
- 8-penny nails
- 10-penny nails
- Roofing nails
- Tar paper
- Roofing cement
- Putty knife
Steps:
1. Locate the Hole in the Roof
Secure your ladder to the building with a rope and locate the hole in the roof.* If you have discovered a leak, but are unsure where the roof is leaking from, see our previous article for steps to find a roof leak.
2. Remove Old Shingles
Use a prybar to remove old shingles around the hole. Start from the top and work your way down. If there is water damage, continue removing shingles until you have exposed all of the water damage. The entire area of damaged wood will need to be cut out and replaced.
3. Remove Remaining Nails
Use the claw side of a hammer to remove remaining nails that did not come out with the shingles.
4. Cut Out the Damaged Plywood
Use a circular saw to cut out the damaged plywood. Be careful not to cut or damage the rafter. You may need to work in sections, cutting two holes to avoid cutting the rafter.
5. Create Framing Using 2 x 4’s
Use 2 x 4’s to create a new frame for the plywood that you will be laying down. If the hole is small, you can attach the 2 x 4’s to the underside of the existing good plywood with 8-penny nails. Extend the braces at least the length of the hole on either side, so that the brace is three times the length of the hole. If the hole is larger, you will need to create framing by attaching the 2 x 4’s to the rafters with 10-penny nails. You may need to enter the attic and work from below to nail 2 x 4’s to the rafters.
6. Cut New Plywood to Fit the Hole
Cut the plywood to the exact dimensions of the existing hole.
7. Attach Plywood to the Framing
Using gloves, apply liquid nails to the new plywood patch and fit it into the hole. Then nail the new plywood to the framing you just created with 8-penny nails.
8. Apply Tar Paper
Spread roofing cement over the seams where the new plywood meets the existing plywood. Next, lay tar paper over the patch, being sure to extend it underneath the top shingles by 2 inches. Nail the tar paper to the decking.
9. Attach New Shingles.
Work from the bottom to the top when attaching new shingles. Use roofing nails to attach the new shingles to the plywood. Cover the nails with roofing cement to prevent leaking around the nails. This is the final step.
If done correctly, a patch to a hole in your roof will buy you time before a full roof replacement is needed.
Roof Repair FAQ’s
Yes, we recommend patching or repairing your roof rather than replacing it if the damage is not extensive enough to warrant a full roof replacement. Every roof has a lifespan that depends on the quality of materials, installation, weather, and maintenance. However, you can extend your roof life significantly patching minor issues or hiring a qualified roofing company to do so. Roof repairs are significantly less expensive than a full roof replacement.
On average a roof repair costs between $750 and $900. However, the cost can range anywhere from $175 to $1,600 and beyond. Hiring a reputable roofing company to complete your repair will save you money in the long run.
It is best to replace a roof when the temperature is at least 40 degrees outside. Otherwise, the shingles may break from being handled in the cold. In Orlando, FL, we don’t often have a problem with cool weather. If heat is too extreme, you may need to wait to do your repair until the temperature drops for your safety.
You will know based on the extent of the damage whether you need to replace the roof or replace the patch. If you just have one leak or hole in the roof, it is possible that you just need a minor repair. However, if there are signs of shingle damage across the entire roof, it is likely time for a roof replacement.
If you do not have any leftover shingles from the last roofing job on your house, you have a few options for buying single shingles or a small quantity of shingles. If you literally need only one shingle, you can go to a roofing supply store and ask for a “sample” of your shingle. Some home supply stores sell single shingles, but most sell them in bundles starting around $20 per bundle for the least expensive materials. If you are not concerned about getting an exact match, head to Habitat Restore where you can by loose shingles rather than having to purchase the whole bundle. If you have to buy the bundle, you’ll have extra shingles in case you need them in the future.
Yes, one missing shingle can expose the roof to leaking and water damage to the underlying decking and rafters. If you have one shingle missing, replace it immediately.
Roofing Orlando
Schedule a free roof inspection now, before a hole in your roof causes further damage to your rafters and ceiling. Castle Roofing Group LLC is an Orlando roofing company serving Central Florida. We offer an excellent warranty and fair pricing. To this day, the owners of Castle Roofing Group manage day to day operations and supervise our team to assure no matter how small the job is, we get it done right. Contact us today at (407) 477-2823 for a free estimate or schedule your free roof inspection online now.
*Caution: If you are at all uncomfortable or inexperienced working on these projects, please reconsider doing the job yourself. It is very possible on any DIY project to damage your house, property, create a hazardous condition, or harm or even kill yourself or others. The material in this article is for informational purposes only. By taking any information material from Castle Roof Group, LLC, you assume all risks for the material covered.
By using this website, you agree to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend Castle Roof Group, LLC, its officers, employees, agents, affiliates, and their related companies, from any and all claims and damages as a result of any and all of the information covered. Castle Roof Group, LLC and affiliates will not be held responsible for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted on the company’s website.
