How to Repair a Hole in a Roof

It’s summer, so you’re spending a little extra time sprucing up your lawn, making sure everything is looking right for the summer holidays. The sun is shining bright, and you’re ready for the day, rocking your trusty sunglasses, a baseball cap, and your favorite pair of cargo shorts. You’ve mowed the front lawn, and as you gear up to do the back, you notice something strange on your roof. 

You think it’s a missing shingle, but upon further inspection, you realize it’s actually a hole. A small one, but a hole nonetheless. You think to yourself—‘Eh, not a big deal.’ Wrong. It is. Roof holes, even small ones, can lead to leaks, mold, and at worse, they can cause structural damage to your home. 

So what to do? While you can, and should call Parish Roofing Solutions for major problems, smaller roof holes can be temporarily fixed on your own, especially if you’re in a pinch. For all the secret insider tips, read on and learn to DIY small repairs like a pro! 

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What Causes Holes in Roofs?

Holes in roofs are often the result of a multitude of factors, with the most common one being the weather. This stands true in most parts of the country, but especially here in Texas, where we often experience hail, storms, and strong winds. Other factors leading to holes in roofs include animals, insects, and improper roof installations. 

Weather

• Wind: Strong gusts of wind can often damage your roof by lifting or completely tearing off pieces of roofing material, creating small apertures in your roof. 
• Hail: Other weather phenomena that can greatly impact the structural integrity of your roof include hailstones. If hailstones hit your roof with enough force and frequency, they can damage your shingles and even cause punctures. 
• Storms: During a rainstorm, strong winds coupled with heavy rain can cause trees, branches, and debris to fall on your roof, which can sometimes cause damage and holes in your roof. 

Animals

• Birds, Squirrels, and Other Creatures: While searching for a place to call home, small animals can often unintentionally cause damage to your roof, which can sometimes lead to small holes. Additionally, rodents such as mice and rats that make their way up into your roof can chew through your roofing material, weakening it and causing small holes to appear. 

Other Factors 

• Improper Installation: Subpar roofing contractors that are in it for a quick-buck can sometimes rush the job, leaving you with improperly installed shingles, flashing, and other roofing components that leave your roof vulnerable to potential apertures. 
• Rust and Rot: For those who have metal roofs, it’s important to keep an eye out for any signs of rust, as rust, if left unattended, can create holes in your roof. Similarly, it’s important to check your roof's wood underlayment, which can begin to rot as a result of moisture. 
• Age: No matter the roofing material, age will eventually take its toll. Over time your roof will degrade, making it all the more susceptible to potential damage. 

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How to Repair a Hole in a Roof: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Locate the Hole

The first step to fixing a hole in your roof is locating it. You could simply climb atop your roof and look for it, but you expose yourself to potential injuries as a result of slipping and falling. Additionally, walking on your roof for an extended period of time can lead to even more damage, creating even more of a headache for you. 

What we recommend is to start looking from the inside out by inspecting your ceiling. You should look for any signs of water damage, which include: peeling paint, stains, or mold. If you have an attic, we then recommend you go check it out and look for any light shining through. 

Step 2: Prioritize Safety

When working on your roof, it is important to prioritize your own safety. It’s important to have the appropriate gear on hand, such as: safety glasses, gloves, and rubber-soled/non-slip shoes. Additionally, make sure you have a stable ladder that is properly secured and won’t destabilize as you go up and down it. 

Step 3: Evaluate the Damage

Once you’ve safely made it up your roof, if you haven’t already,  you will need to locate the hole. If you have no access to your attic, then it is paramount that you take some safety precautions when walking on top of your roof, inspecting shingles and the roofing material. It is important to note that if you notice water damage on your roof decking, it may be a sign that you are dealing with a more complex issue that requires the help of a professional. 

Step 4: Repair Process for Shingle Roofing

• Step 1: Pry away any damaged shingles.
• Step 2: Remove any remaining nails. 
• Step 3: If your roof deck is damaged, cut off compromised areas with a saw. 
• Step 4: Measure the opening of the area you’ve cut off, and proceed to cut a new piece of plywood to snugly fit the opening. Apply liquid nails and finish securing it with roofing nails. 
• Step 5: Cover your newly installed piece of plywood with tar paper. Ensure it overlaps with the existing parts of your roof by at least two inches. Secure the tar paper with nails and roofing cement. 
• Step 6: Install the new shingles, starting from the bottom, and overlap them with your current shingles. Secure them with roofing nails, and make sure to apply roofing cement to seal the nails in place. 

Step 5: How to Repair a Hole in a Metal Roof

• Step 1: It’s important to clean the area around the hole, so ensure you remove any rust, dirt, and debris from your roof.
• Step 2: You will need to center your metal patch over the hole and trace its outline. 
• Step 3: Apply a generous amount of roofing sealant, making sure to leave no gaps. 
• Step 4: Install the patch. Firmly press the patch, making sure to squeeze out when you get to the edges. Finally, fortify the patch by driving screws through the patch. 
• Step 5: Finish patching your roof by removing any leftover sealant around the edges with a putty knife. Additionally, you can paint the newly patched area to match the rest of your roof. 

When to Call a Professional

While it may seem enticing to undertake DIY projects at home, sometimes they’re more trouble than they’re worth. You may be a Mr. Do It Yourself, but sometimes some things are better left in the hands of professionals. So, while you might be itching to get your tool box out, we recommend you sit back, relax, and let us do the work for you.

Extensive Roof Damage

You may not want to, but if the hole on your roof is bigger than a couple of inches in diameter, or requires you to replace more than a couple of shingles, then it may behoove you to give us a call. While small holes are no problem for homeowners with basic home repair skills, a roof with more extensive damage is better suited for professionals. Doing so not only ensures the job is done right, but that any other possible issues are taken care of. 

What’s the Extent of the Damage?

You’re an average joe. Sure, you may have basic and even advanced home repair skills, but you’re not a roofing professional. There’s no shame in that. You may look at your roof and see just a hole. But what appears to be just a ‘small’ issue, is just the tip of the iceberg. You could have unseen leaks, you could need flashing repairs, underlayment replacement; or need full structural repairs of your roof deck. In these type of situations, where you don’t quite know the extent of the damage, it’s best to give us a call.

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Preventative Tips

So now you have a general idea of how to repair a small hole in your roof, but how exactly do you prevent them? Read on for our insider tips on preventing holes in your roof from ever appearing. 

Annual Inspections

Even if your roof has no visible damage, it is paramount to roof longevity to have annual roofing inspections. Doing so allows you to identify any potential problems before they spiral into something that’s both expensive and troublesome. 

Regular Maintenance

What may seem like arduous chores can actually be of great importance to preserving the structural integrity of your roof. Regularly cleaning your gutters not only enhances your curb appeal, but also ensures proper water drainage, minimizing any potential roof leaks. 

Trim Hazardous Trees

It’s no secret that Texas has unpredictable weather. It can be sunny one day, and then the next we could be experiencing a full-on monsoon. For that reason, it’s important to trim down potential hazardous trees. If there are trees near or around your home with hanging branches, it may be wise to trim them down as they can be one strong gust of wind away from damaging your roof. 

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Call Parish Roofing Solutions!

As lifelong Texans we know how unpredictable Texas weather is. You simply can’t count on it. But you can count on us to fix all the trouble this unpredictability creates. From fixing small holes on your roof, to full-on roof replacements, Parish Roofing provides you with solutions to all your roofing troubles.