Flat asphalt roofs are made up of alternating layers of roofing felt that has been saturated in liquid asphalt. The lack of a steep pitch causes water to puddle on flat roofs. Water can work its way through the layers and into your home if there are slits or damaged sections. You can easily do your own minor repairs on your flat asphalt roof; large damaged areas should be looked at by a professional to ensure a proper repair.
Instructions
Repairing Slits
1. Push roofing cement under the felt under both sides of the slit with a putty knife.
2. Nail galvanized shingle nails with wide heads along both sides of the slit into the roof with a hammer.
3. Make a patch out of a shingle to cover the slit. Set the patch over the slit and nail the edges of the patch to the roof with galvanized shingle nails with wide heads.
4. Cover the entire patch with roofing cement applied with a putty knife. Feather the edges of the patch with the putty knife.
Repairing Damaged Areas
5. Cut a square around the damaged area using a straightedge and a sharp utility knife. Remove the cut-out area.
6. Apply roofing cement into the area and under the existing roofing with a putty knife.
7. Cut a patch from a shingle with a utility knife so that the patch fits inside the cut-out area. Layer patches if needed to bring the patched area up to the thickness of the existing areas.
8. Set the patch inside the cut-out area and nail the edges down with a hammer and galvanized shingle nails with wide heads. Cover the patch with roofing cement and feather the edges with a putty knife.
9. Cut a patch out of shingle that is 2 inches larger on all sides than the first patch. Set the patch into the roofing cement, centering it over the first patch.
10. Nail the edges of the patch down with galvanized shingle nails with wide heads. Cover the entire patch and nail heads with roofing cement and feather the edges with a putty knife.
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