Typically, if a shingle is damaged, a roofer will just pry it off the roof and replace it with a new shingle. But there are some instances in which this approach is not feasible. Maybe accessing the particular shingle to remove it is difficult, or perhaps you're replacing your roof in a year and don't want to have extensive work done. Whatever your reason for doing so, opting to have shingles repaired rather than replaced can be a wise choice. But how do roofers go about repairing actual shingles? Here's how they handle three specific types of damage.
Cracked Shingles
It's not uncommon for shingles to become cracked when they are struck with a tree branch or perhaps some hail. You do want to have this problem taken care of since water can seep through the crack and damage the lower layers of the roof. Thankfully, it's fairly easy for a roofing contractor to repair a cracked shingle. All they need to do is apply a line of sealant or silicone caulk right under the area where the crack is located, and then press down on both sides of the shingle. This way, the caulk bonds both halves of the cracked shingle together while also working as a water barrier.
Lifted Shingles
Another common problem is shingles lifting off the roof surface on one side. They may flap around when the wind blows in the right direction. To address this type of issue, a roofer will generally start by applying adhesive under the shingle. They then pressure shingles down onto the adhesive. Next, they follow up with a couple of roofing nails to better secure the shingle. The last step is to put some adhesive or caulk over the heads of those exposed roofing nails so water does not trickle in around them.
Curled Shingles
When shingles start curling, it's usually because they've become really dry due to sun exposure and are contracting. They won't last long, even with repairs, but roofers may repair them if you're replacing the rest of your roof soon. They'll usually use nails to hold down each side that's curling up. Then, they'll coat the nail heads in the adhesive to prevent leaks. Sometimes, a strong adhesive may also be used to hold the curled-up ends in place.
Hopefully, this article has given you a better idea as to how roofers repair damaged shingles. Talk to a local company like Goodwin Roofing for more info.