5 Step Process For A Shingle Roof Puncture Repair

A puncture is one type of roof damage that you may not be able to prevent. Even new shingle roofs can fall prey to puncture damage. Most punctures are caused by storms that blow down tree branches or send other debris to the roof. Fortunately, a puncture can be repaired in most cases so there is no need to fully replace the roof.

1. Temporary Patching

A puncture should not be ignored, even if you can not have it properly repaired right away. Any moisture that makes its way through the hole won't just cause water damage in your attic, it will also make the damage to the roof worse as moisture soaks into the decking beneath the shingles. Nailing a tarp over the puncture will keep out water until a permanent repair can be made.

2. Puncture Clean-up

Before repairs can be made, the site of the puncture needs to be cleaned and prepped. Most punctures don't have clean edges, so the first step is to remove the damaged shingles and those neighboring them. If the puncture has been there awhile, then it may be necessary to remove more shingles than what appears damaged if water has seeped beneath them. Finally, the decking plywood will be cut out around the puncture so that the edges of the hole have straight edges. 

3. Decking Patch

Typically the whole piece of decking doesn't need to be replaced if there are no signs of moisture rot. Instead, your roofer will cut a piece of decking board to fit snugly in the prepared hole. Once this patch is in place, it is sealed at the joints so water can't leak into the attic. This is much more cost-effective than trying to replace an entire piece of decking when only a small puncture requires repair. 

4. Moisture Sealing

On top of the decking sits the underlayment, a synthetic fiber sheet that creates a moisture seal between the shingles and the decking. Underlayment is also sometimes called roofing felt. This will need to be replaced once the decking is repaired since it was also likely damaged when the puncture occurred. Failure to do so can lead to moisture issues down the road.

5. Shingle Replacement

The final step is to replace the shingles. Your roofer will do their best to find a close match to your shingle color and style, but this can be more challenging if your roof is older or if the shingle color has been discontinued. 

Contact a roof repair contractor for more info.

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