Roof Repairs

• 1). Cut away the tree in sections using a chainsaw. Check each cut before making it to determine where the limb or piece of tree will fall. Make certain you do no further damage to the structure as you remove the tree. Once the tree is removed, spread a thick plastic tarp over the damaged area and secure it in place with nails or large staples. This will help prevent further water damage until repairs can be made.
  
  
• 2). Inspect the area of damage. In your intial inspection you will be attempting to detemine the size of the damaged area and if any rafters or joists were damaged. Your roof will in all likelyhood be covered with 4 foot by 8 foot plywood sheets beneath the roofing material. Locate the edges of each of the damaged pieces of plywood and mark these with chalk.
  
  
• 3). Remove the damaged areas of roofing. If the majority of the plywood sheet is damaged you will replace the entire sheet. If only one edge is damaged you will trim the plywood and replace only that section. Using this as your guide, remove all shingles and black tar paper from the area. Remove any full sheets of plywood first.
  
  
• 4). Mark the partial sections of plywood for cutting. Measure to the next rafter and mark the center of the rafter. Use a square to mark a straight line the full width of the board. Set your skill saw to cut only through the plywood and cut along the line. When completed half the rafter should be exposed to allow you to secure the new plywood in place.
  
  
• 5). Replace all full sections of plywood first, then measure and cut all partial pieces. Place each section in its intended location and secure it with nails. With the plywood base in place, roll out black tar paper and nail it to the plywood.
  
  
• 6). Install new shingles to complete the repairs. Begin at the lowest area and install your first row of shingles. The new shingles will need to overlap the existing shingles to form a water tight seal. Remove any old partial shingles and install full shingles in their place. Work your way up the roof. When you reach the old shingles you will need to secure the new shingles below the old ones to insure no leaks occur.