Replace a damaged roof shingle
Replacing a single shingle is a reasonable DIY job on a one-story house with a low, walkable roof, on a dry day. On anything steeper or higher, call a roofer. A fall from a roof can be life-changing, and one shingle isn't worth that risk. Shingles are easier to work with on a mild day. In cold weather they crack, and in hot weather they tear and scuff.
How shingles overlap
Shingles overlap in rows, and each one is held by nails hidden under the row above it. That's why replacing one means gently lifting the shingles above, pulling those nails, sliding the new one in, and nailing it under the upper row. Pick a mild, dry day: cold shingles crack, and hot ones tear.
Why shingles come off
Strong gusts lift and tear shingles.
Shingles become brittle after 15 to 30 years.
Impact cracks shingles.
Shingles nailed too high blow off easily.
| Situation | Our advice |
|---|---|
| One-story house, low slope you can walk on, dry day | A reasonable DIY job with care |
| Two stories, or a steep roof | Call a roofer |
| Several shingles missing after a storm | Call a roofer, and check whether insurance covers it |
| Water stain on the ceiling inside | Call a roofer. The damage may go past the shingle. |
| Shingles curling and cracking all over | The roof is near the end of its life. Get quotes. |
Replace the shingle
- Check if it's DIY-safeOnly do this on a single-story, low-pitch roof you can walk on comfortably, in dry weather. Otherwise, call a roofer.
- Loosen the shingles aboveSlide a flat pry bar under the shingle above the damaged one to break the adhesive seal.
- Remove the nailsPry up the nails holding the damaged shingle, and the nails from the row above that pass through it.
- Pull out the old shingleWith the nails out, slide the damaged shingle down and out of the row. Scrape off any loose bits of old sealant so the new one lies flat.
- Check what's underneathLook at the felt or underlayment where the shingle was. Seal a small tear with roofing cement. If the wood underneath is soft, stained or spongy, stop here and call a roofer.
- Slide in the new shingleSlide the new shingle into place, aligned with the others.
- Nail it inLift the row above gently with the pry bar and drive four roofing nails through the new shingle, just under the edge of that row. Replace the nails you pulled from the row above, too.
- Seal down the row abovePress the loose tabs above the repair down onto a dab of roofing cement. The sun will warm the sealant strips and bond everything over the next few days.
Watch it done
- The new shingle lines up with the others in its row
- The tabs above lie flat and stay down
- No new water stains on the ceiling below after rain
Water stains inside? The damage is more than one shingle; call a roofer.
If it's more than one shingle
If you see water stains on the ceiling, the damage may be more than one shingle. Call a roofer.
If shingles curl or crack all over, the roof is near the end of its life.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): A roofer typically charges $150–$400 for a small shingle repair.
Find a roofer near you