How to Replace Roof Ridge Caps
- 1). Set up your sawhorses and lay a section of plywood across them to create a work surface. It is easier to properly cut your shingles, and easier on you, to work in an upright position.
- 2). Lay a shingle on your table with the three tabs facing toward you, and the asphalt side facing up.
- 3). Cut your shingle into three separate pieces. Begin at each slit, and cut your shingle the rest of the way up to the top of your shingle to separate the first tab from the other two. Repeat this process until you have three tabs. Use your straight edge as a guide if necessary to be able to cut a straight line. Cut as many tabs as you need to replace your missing or broken caps.
- 4). Remove the top corners from each tab by using your utility knife to cut them off. This is the portion of your tab that will slide under the previously installed tab. You do not want the top part of your tab to show. The only part of a tab that you should see on your roof cap is the asphalt section.
- 5). Slide the top of a ridge cap shingle underneath the asphalt end of the next ridge cap shingle. Carefully lift up the end of the next shingle, so that you can drive a roofing nail on each side of your replacement. Make sure that you drive the nails in at least 1 inch away from the outside edges. Pull the clear tape off of the tar strip and press the top shingle down onto your replacement.