How can I do a roof repair myself?
Short answer. A handy homeowner can safely handle small repairs on a low, walkable roof: resealing a lifted tab, replacing a few shingles, swapping a pipe boot, or fixing a nail pop. Leave steep or two-story roofs, flashing at chimneys and walls, decking replacement, and anything storm related that may become an insurance claim to a professional.
Safety comes first
- Set the ladder on firm, level ground at about a 4 to 1 angle and extend it 3 feet above the edge.
- Wear soft rubber-soled shoes and stay off wet, dewy or mossy roofs.
- Use a harness and anchor on anything steep or higher than one story.
- In Georgia, skip summer afternoons: shingles get hot enough to scuff, burn skin and slide underfoot, and thunderstorms build fast.
- Never work alone.
Good DIY jobs
- Hand-sealing lifted tabs that are not creased.
- Replacing a few shingles on a walkable slope.
- Replacing a pipe boot of the same size.
- Clearing debris from valleys and gutters from a ladder.
Jobs to hand off
- Chimney, skylight and sidewall flashing.
- Rotted decking, sagging areas, or anything structural.
- Storm damage you might claim. Repairing first can make it harder to show the adjuster what happened, so photograph it and get an inspection before you touch it.
- Roofs still under a workmanship warranty, since your own work can affect that coverage.
Materials
Use real roofing nails, roofing cement or a sealant rated for roofs, and shingles that match your brand and color. A leftover bundle from the original install is worth keeping in the garage for exactly this.
Before you climb, read common leak causes and the Georgia roof maintenance checklist.