• Home Improvement
    • DIY
    • Remodeling
    • Woodworking
    • Accessories
    • Home Design
      • Furniture
      • Organize
      • Tips
      • Decor
        • Interior
        • Exterior
    • Design Ideas
      • Bathroom
      • Bedroom
      • Dining Room
      • Living Room
      • Kitchen
  • Gardening
    • Backyard
    • Front Yard
    • Landscaping
  • Building Staircase
  • Categories
    • Home Improvement
    • Decor
    • Gardening
    • Woodworking
    • Lifestyle
    • Green Living
    • Real Estate
Dream Lands Design
  • Home Improvement
    • DIY
    • Remodeling
    • Woodworking
    • Accessories
    • Home Design
      • Furniture
      • Organize
      • Tips
      • Decor
        • Interior
        • Exterior
    • Design Ideas
      • Bathroom
      • Bedroom
      • Dining Room
      • Living Room
      • Kitchen
  • Gardening
    • Backyard
    • Front Yard
    • Landscaping
  • Building Staircase
  • Categories
    • Home Improvement
    • Decor
    • Gardening
    • Woodworking
    • Lifestyle
    • Green Living
    • Real Estate
Featured image - How to Replace Shingles
You're here: Home Exterior How to Replace Shingles

How to Replace Shingles

  • Perla Irish
  • October 11, 2020
Total
2
Shares
0
0
2
0
0
Table of Contents Show
  1. Step 1: Get Your Team ready
  2. Step 2: Don’t Forget Your Safety Equipment
  3. Step 3: Prepare the Tools
  4. Step 4: Get the Permit
  5. Step 5: Remove the Shingles
  6. Step 6: Secure Any Loose Boards
  7. Step 7: Time for the Underlayment
  8. Step 8: Find the Roof’s Center Line
  9. Step 9: Place the First Row of Shingles
  10. Step 10: Place the Second Row of Shingles
  11. That’s How to Replace Shingles

Shingles are great to look at when they’re new and shiny, but not so much when age takes a toll on them. Not to mention those grape-sized hailstones that pour down from the sky straight to your precious shingles. Regardless of how well you take care of your shingled roof, sooner or later, you might have to replace them.

You may hire professionals to replace your shingles for you, but not a lot of people are willing to take that road. Most people would rather roll up their sleeves and do it the old-fashioned way. However, you first need to know how to replace shingles.

image - How to Replace Shingles
How to Replace Shingles

We’ll tell you one thing, replacing shingles isn’t easy, and it’s not a one-person job too. You’ll probably need a helping hand or two for that matter.

Replacing shingles is more than just nailing shingles on top of your old shingles. Remember, you want your new shingles to last much longer than your old ones.

You can’t do that by hammering shingles haphazardly on the roof. Keep reading, and we’ll show you how to replace shingles step-by-step.


Read Also:

  • Roof Tiles vs. Shingles: Which Roof Should You Choose for Your Home?
  • Roofing Guide: How to Replace a Roof Quickly and Effectively
  • Shingle Solutions: How Bad are Missing Shingles?
  • Asphalt Roofing Shingles – All You Need To Know
  • How Long do Cedar Shingles Last?

Step 1: Get Your Team ready

As mentioned earlier, replacing shingles isn’t a one-person job, so you best get your buddies to help you out. The first step of replacing your shingles is getting everyone on board. You can use Facebook, Whatsapp, or any other platform to get the band together.

Get about three to four people, but the more, the merrier. Once you assemble the whole group, you can move to the next step.

Step 2: Don’t Forget Your Safety Equipment

Remember, you’re climbing a roof that’s a couple of feet tall. You don’t need anyone to tell you what happens should you slip and fall. That’s why it’s super important to take the necessary precautions before getting to work.

That means wearing safety equipment, including gloves, safety boots, and the likes. Repairing shingles is a dangerous job; don’t do it without proper safety gear.

Step 3: Prepare the Tools

After getting your safety gear, it’s now time to prepare your tools and equipment. For adequate preparation, you’ll require the following items:-

  • A pry bar
  • A hammer
  • New shingles
  • Shingle nails
  • Leather gloves

For perfect preparation, make sure you get all the necessary equipment early on. Try your best to avoid any last-minute rush. That way, you won’t compromise on the tools or materials you use for your shingle replacement.

Step 4: Get the Permit

You’ll still need a permit regardless of whether you’re installing a new roof or re-roofing your old one. Check with the local authorities to get your re-roofing perming. Applying for a re-roofing permit is straightforward, especially since it’s a re-roofing permit.

Before the state grants you your permit, you might need the following:

  • Proof that you own the property
  • Statement of repair
  • Permit application

If you have the above at hand, then getting that permit will be a breeze. In some states, you might require architectural drawings of your home.

Step 5: Remove the Shingles

Now that you have the permit, you can climb up the roof and get to work. The first step is to remove the existing shingles from the roof.

To do so, you’ll need a pry bar, or you can use a shingle scraper, a flat shovel, or even a pitchfork. Use any of the mentioned tools to pry the shingles from the roof. The nails should come off with the shingles, but you can use a claw hammer to remove the nails if they don’t.

Step 6: Secure Any Loose Boards

You might have loosened a few boards while prying off the shingles. Secure these loose boards back in place to prevent them from collapsing under your weight. Also, cover any open holes after you’ve removed the old shingles.

Use aluminum flashing for large holes, but ordinary caulk will do for small gaps or holes. After doing so, you can move to the next step.

Step 7: Time for the Underlayment

To install the underlayment, you’ll need a staple gun, and roofing felt. You then have to lay the roofing felt across the roof’s bottom edge to the roof’s top. While you’re at it, use the staple gun to staple after every six inches.

Step 8: Find the Roof’s Center Line

Locating the roof’s center allows you to align your shingles evenly. You can measure the center-line from the edge of your roof to the other edge. Use a tape measure to do so, then mark the center of the roof

Step 9: Place the First Row of Shingles

The first row of shingles will go a little over the drip edge. For three-tab shingles, you might have to use a utility knife to remove the tabs. Next, line up the slot found in the middle of the shingle to your roof’s center-line.

Extend the bottom of the shingle so that it’s about a quarter way past the drip edge. Tack or hammer the shingle in place. Repeat the same for the other shingles until you complete the first row.

Step 10: Place the Second Row of Shingles

The second row goes on top of the first row. Remember, you’ll have removed the tabs from the first row of shingles. Let the shingles go a quarter way past the drip edge for extra water protection and easier roof repair.

Repeat the process for the rest of the shingles until you’ve covered the entire roof. However, make sure your shingles overlap by at least five inches. If the shingle extends past the roof edge at the top, tack it down for uniformity.

All you have to do now is install the ridge cap to protect the exposed shingles at the top. Install the ridge cap, and you’re good to go.

That’s How to Replace Shingles

Now that you know how to replace shingles, we hope you’ll have a blast the next time you’re up replacing shingles. Don’t forget to get the necessary permits before you get to business. Most importantly, never forget to wear the proper safety gear for your own protection.

For more informative reads, be sure to check out the other pieces on the site.

Total
2
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 2
Share 0
Share 0
Perla Irish

Perla Irish, who is more familiarly known as Irish, is the Content Manager at Dreamlandsdesign.com. She loves following trends around home and garden, interior design, and digital marketing. Through this blog, Irish wants to share information and help readers solve the problems they are experiencing.

Related Topics
  • replace
  • roof
  • roofing
  • shingles
Previous Article
Featured image - How to Find the Best Cooling and Heating Company in Your Area

A Game of Hot and Cold: How to Find the Best Cooling and Heating Company in Your Area

  • Perla Irish
  • October 11, 2020
View Post
Next Article
Featured image - How to Use a Solar Loan Calculator

How to Use a Solar Loan Calculator

  • Perla Irish
  • October 11, 2020
View Post

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

You May Also Like
Roofers St George installing a new energy-efficient metal roof in a sunny desert home
View Post

Smarter Roofing for St. George Homes: What Homeowners Really Need to Know

  • July 18, 2025
Bright home interior with shiny hardwood floors, furniture sliders under heavy furniture legs, and protective moving tools nearby.
View Post

How to Move Furniture to a New Home Without Damaging the Floor

  • July 16, 2025
A compact, organized home workshop at night, with essential DIY tools and safety gear neatly arranged on a wooden workbench.
View Post

Troubleshooting Common DIY Home Repair Problems

  • July 15, 2025
A man disassembling a P-trap under a sink to remove hair and debris in a modern, minimalist kitchen.
View Post

Plumbing Maintainance: How to Properly Clean Plumbing Pipes

  • July 14, 2025
Switching to LED bulbs can boost home efficiency easily.
View Post

Energy Heroes – 6 Genius Hacks to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

  • July 9, 2025
Anti-fatigue mats cushion feet and support balance, helping seniors stay active and independent.
View Post

Why Seniors Should Consider Anti-Fatigue Mats at Home

  • July 7, 2025
Outdoor patio with natural flagstone pavers, surrounded by lush greenery and bathed in soft sunlight, highlighting a rustic garden setting.
View Post

Flagstone Pavers – A Natural Choice for Timeless Outdoor Beauty

  • June 30, 2025
Professional commercial movers save time, money, and reduce risks better than DIY options.
View Post

Commercial Moving Services vs. DIY: What’s Better for Your Business?

  • June 27, 2025
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclosure
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us

Input your search keywords and press Enter.