Q: We have roll roofing on a garden shed. During a storm a tree branch fell and stabbed a hole in the roofing material. What’s the best way to repair the hole?
A: If the roof deck is in good shape, then it should be a fairly straightforward repair. Roll roofing is typically made of the same material as asphalt shingles, but it can be cut into strips. For small holes, it might suffice to clean out the damaged area and fill it with roofing tar or roof sealant. Larger areas of damage may require you to cut out the damaged area and replace it with a new section of roll roofing. (If the underlayment is damaged then replace that, too.) Overlap the existing roofing by 6 inches on the sides and 3 inches at the top and bottom. Install it with roofing cement and roofing nails as you would for any new roof installation.
