How to Cover a Low-Slope Roof

Cover the low-slope roof decking with roofing felt. Spread the first row of roofing felt along the lower edge of the roof, and hammer in galvanized nails to secure it in place. Overlap the edges of the second and subsequent rows by 4 inches. Continue to lay the felt on this side of the roof until you reach the peak. Move to the other side of the low-slope roof, and repeat the process of laying rows of felt until you reach the peak.

Measure and cut lengths of flashing to fit the edges of the roof. Hammer 1 1/4-inch roofing nails to secure these lengths to the roof. Nail pre-ordered 26-gauge galvanized metal flashing -- bent to the right dimensions and angles -- around the chimney.

Lay a shingle along the lower edge of the roof, with its lower side hanging over the edge of the roof by 2 inches. Ensure the tabs face upward. Hammer nails into the tabs to secure the shingle.

Lay the second shingle next to the previous one, overlapping the first shingle by 2 inches, and hammer nails through the tabs to secure it. Continue nailing shingles in this manner down this row until you reach the end.

Start the second row from the edge of the roof, with the tabs pointing toward the peak. Allow the shingles to overhang by 6 inches. This overhang allows excess water to flow off the roof. Hammer roofing nails into the tabs to secure the shingles, and then use shears to clip off the 6-inch overhang.

Repeat this process, securing courses of shingles over the low-slope roof and making sure that there are no gaps in the shingles until you reach the peak. Repeat this process on the other side of the low-slope roof until you reach the peak.

Install ridge cap shingles over the peak of the roof. Nail them in place, making sure the ridge-cap shingles overlap the shingles directly beneath them.