Residential and Commercial Roofing Blog

We've Done Roofing Installation & Repair for Decades

What Do I Need to Repair My Roof? 

Posted on Friday, April 15th, 2022 at 4:53 pm    

What Do I Need to Repair My Roof? Are you into DIY? Maybe you love being a weekend warrior? If that’s the case, you may have considered it tempting to do your own roofing work. After all, it gets you outside in the sunshine and working with your own two hands.

Before you climb up on your roof, consider why we have roofing professionals in the first place. These are people with a wealth of experience and the tools of the trade that make a roofing job successful. Interested in finding out what it takes to repair a roof? The team at Kidd Roofing has you covered. We’ve compiled a list of some of the items you’ll need if you are looking at tackling a roof repair.

Ladder or Scaffolding

You can’t complete a roof repair if you can’t get up onto the roof. One of the most important pieces of equipment you will need is a sturdy ladder capable of allowing you to reach the roof of your home. It needs to be the proper height, and it should be durable. Before climbing up onto your roof, you should take a little time to review ladder safety and always have a spotter on hand to help.

Fall Protection Kit

Another piece of equipment that is crucial for at-home repairs is a fall protection kit. A fall protection kit will generally include a harness, reusable roofing anchors, rope, and a shock-absorbing lanyard. Roofing work is dangerous, and falls can cause life-threatening injuries. Be safe and invest in a fall protection kit if you plan on doing regular maintenance work on your roof.

Crowbar and Flat Head Shovel

What Do I Need to Repair My Roof? Removing old or damaged shingles can take a lot of effort. Crowbars can help you remove stubborn nails. Flathead shovels are also effective tools. They can be used to scrape up and remove old shingles once all nails have been safely removed.

Roof Decking

Depending on the repairs that need to be made, you may also need roof decking. These are the boards that the shingles rest on top of. If there are holes in your roof or you are having problems with water damage or mold, you may need to replace sections of the roof decking.

If you’ve started a DIY roofing project but feel you may need an expert’s second opinion, contact us for an inspection and quote on the job. We will be upfront and honest about the work you really need to have done, and what you don’t, and we can do the work for you at a reasonable price. There are also financing options available.

We have 40 years of experience and a professionally trained staff of roof repair and installation experts. We do both commercial and residential roofing projects in the communities where we live, and we have a lot of satisfied customers.

Underlayment

If you are replacing sections of decking, then you are also going to need to replace the underlayment. Underlayment is felt or synthetic fabric-like material placed over the decking. This material provides an additional layer of protection and needs to be a part of your roofing supply kit.

Shingles

The topmost layer of the roof includes shingles. There are several different types of shingles on the market. The type you should use depends on the project. Are you only doing minor repairs? Then you can try to match your new shingles to the existing shingles on your home. In most cases, these will be asphalt shingles, although tile and metal options also exist.

roofing tools

Roofing Nails

Ordinary nails won’t cut it. You need to make sure that you have proper roofing nails for attaching shingles. You may also want to invest in a roofing nailer to make your job faster and more efficient.

Other Materials

You may need additional roofing materials, depending on the scope of your project and the area of the repair. If you are working near the edge of your roof, you may also need to add a drip edge. A drip edge is metal flashing that can help control the flow of water and direct it away from other roofing materials. In some areas, this is a requirement for a roof to be considered up to code.

You may also need an ice or water shield. These are waterproof sheets that protect certain areas of your roof from ice and water damage. They are typically found in the roof valleys and can help keep water and drainage flowing in the right direction down your roof.

New vents, pipe boots, or ridge capping may also be required. Also be sure to consider other factors like the time of year and weather.

A Professional Roofer

To get a roof repair job done right, you need a wide range of tools and materials. These materials can be expensive for a one-time repair job. Add to that the value of your time and safety, and it may be more economical to hire a professional roofer.

At Kidd Roofing, our team of knowledgeable Austin roofing experts can tackle any roofing project, big or small. We have the tools and know-how to fix your roof right the first time. For a quote, call our office at (866) 671-7791, or use our online service request.