How to Re-Shingle a Roof After Removing a Chimney Pipe

If you have a chimney pipe or vent coming out of the top of your house that is no longer being used for any sort of ventilation, or that you moved to another location, you will need to re-shingle the roof after removing it. Removal of the chimney is relatively easy, as it should come right up after the roof tar, screws, and shingles holding it in place have been removed. The next step is to patch the hole and re-shingle the area.

Note: Before you begin any roofing project, make sure you can safely complete the task. If you are unsure or feel the roof is too steep, consult a professional. If you feel unsafe, you can put in roof jacks to help with your footing. Do not cut corners on roof safety as it is one of the most dangerous areas of home repair.

Step 1 – Out with the Old Shingles

After you have removed the chimney pipe, remove any damaged shingles around the area. This will allow for a good seal once the patch is completed, and will also make the patch indistinguishable from the rest of the roof. You may need to use pry bars to get the nails up. It helps to use two pry bars (one to hold up the overlapping shingle and one to pry up the nails). Typically the only shingles that need to be removed are the ones that were used to overlap the chimney assembly.

Step 2 – Patch the Hole

The hole where the chimney used to be, now needs to be filled in. Place a piece of wood longer than the opening inside and secure it with screws. This will act as a base for the filler piece. Then, cut out a circular piece of wood with a jigsaw to match the size of the hole. Secure this piece to the other piece of wood with screws.

Step 3 – The New Shingles

Cover the area where the chimney used to be with tar paper. This will make a good base for the shingles and create a barrier for moisture and heat loss. Next, install the shingles, starting at the top of the area you are patching. It is a good idea to use some roofing tar between the shingles to make sure they adhere to each other. Use a pry bar to prop the existing shingle up so you can hammer in the new nails.

Note: Some older roofs may have multiple layers of shingles. If so, using only one layer of shingles as a patch may cause the area to sag. While this shouldn’t cause too much of a problem, it may not look as good as it could. If the sagging is really bad, it may collect water, which will lead to problems down the road.

You’re done! If finished properly you should not be able to tell where the patch is.