How to Repair Roof Shingles on a Ridge Vent

A ridge vent is a narrow opening cut along the length of a peaked roof which then has a plastic ridge vent cover installed on it. The vent is raised 2 to 3 inches above the roof surface and allows hot attic air to escape from the home, thus providing ventilation. The ridge vent covers are typically flexible plastic and have asphalt shingles attached over them. If the shingles deteriorate or come off, you must replace them to prevent leaks.

Ladder
Pry bar
Bucket
Asphalt ridge cap shingles
1 3/4-inch to 2-inch nails
Hammer or nail gun
Silicone caulk or roofing cement

Instructions

- 1
  Locate a firm, even area of ground next to the home and position a ladder on it. Ascend the ladder until you can climb carefully onto the roof of the home. Climb all the way up to the very peak of the rooftop, which is where the ridge vent is located.
- 2
  Move to the left side and begin examining each shingle on top of the vent for damage. Damage may include torn or cracked shingles, shingles with the tar paper showing or missing shingles.
- 3
  Remove all damaged shingles by inserting the pronged end of a pry bar under them and pushing the handle down to detach the nails from the ridge vent.
- 4
  Discard all of the damaged shingles and the nails by placing them into a bucket to carry down from the roof.
- 5
  Lay a ridge cap shingle over the first area without a shingle and slide the end up under the plastic strip that runs across the vent and that has holes in it.
- 6
  Insert 1 3/4-inch to 2-inch nails through each of the holes in the plastic ridge vent strip using a hammer or an electric nail gun.
- 7
  Install all remaining ridge cap shingles in the same manner.

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