Your roof is meant to protect the rest of your home from the weather, debris, and pests. If you have noticed any shingles missing on your roof, there could be several reasons:
Damage from high-speed winds
Improper installation
Old age
Damage from a hail storm
No matter how the shingles were damaged, you will need to have them repaired as soon as you can to prevent any additional damage. Below is more information about what to do when shingles are falling off your roof.
Why Are Shingles Falling Off?
Let's go in-depth about the most common reasons shingles fall off your roof:
Shingles Falling Off From Storm Damage
An intense thunderstorm can easily weaken your shingles until they fall off your roof. If you experience many thunderstorms in your area, your roof is more likely to receive this type of damage. Falling debris such as tree branches could damage your shingles too. Once it is safe to go outside after a storm, check your roof for any spots of shingle damage or missing shingles.
Shingles Falling Off From High-Speed Winds
Unfortunately, even high-quality shingles can only withstand so much wind. Only the upper-middle nailing zone of an asphalt shingle is nailed into your roof, leaving the flap exposed for heavy winds to lift it up. If you recently experienced high-speed winds in your area, the storm could have caused damage to your shingles. Shingles on the eave, rake, or ridge of your roof are even more susceptible to wind getting underneath and pulling them up. After a period of heavy winds, take a look at your roof to see if any shingles have been damaged or pulled up.
Shingles Falling Off From Improper Installation:
If your roof was repaired or replaced recently and there has not been any extreme weather or any other potential way of damage, the shingles could have been installed incorrectly by the roofing company.
Shingles Falling Off From Hail Damage:
The hail itself will not typically knock off the shingles but can bruise and crack the shingles, leaving them weak and vulnerable to additional damage.
Old Age:
Think about the last time you had your roof replaced or how old the roof is on your home. If it has been 15-20 years, it could be time to get your shingles replaced. Asphalt shingles can last over 20 years but over time, they will begin to dry out, crack, lose surface granules, or curl upwards. With an older roof, you're more likely to have easily damaged shingles.
Brand New Shingles Missing?
If you just had shingles replaced and already spot a few missing, another possibility is the adhesive has not activated yet. The adhesive can only activate after several hours in the sun. The wind may have picked up before the sun was out and carried your shingles away.
Solutions For Missing Shingles
There are several different solutions depending on the cause of your missing shingles:
Replace Shingles Missing from Wind Damage
Wind damage is one of the most common reasons for missing shingles. If you spot several shingles missing from your roof, you'll need to contact a roofing contractor to replace those shingles. If you live in a windy area, you should make it a habit to check your roof after wind storms to see if there are missing shingles. This prevents significant damage to your roof and home.
If Shingles Were Improperly Installed, Correct the Improper Installation
While it can be extremely frustrating to have newly replaced shingles go missing, you should call the contractor who installed them and ask them to redo it. You may have a warranty on their work that can be activated. You can also ask for another roof inspection to see if there were any issues with your roof that were not noticed prior to installation. If the warranty on your roof repair has expired, call an experienced and trustworthy roofer for a free inspection and estimate.
Replace Your Old Shingles
If the time is nearly up on your current roof, you may need to go ahead and replace it. Once your shingles are old, they can fall off and leave your home vulnerable to additional damage. While a repair may be more desirable due to the lower cost, you should prepare for a full roof replacement before any more damage is caused to your roof.
A full roof replacement entails removing all the old shingles and foundational elements of your roof and replacing them with all new material. This will ensure your roof will be able to last you several decades and keep your home safe from damage.
If Your Shingles Are Newer, Have Them Repaired
Newer shingles still have their integrity to protect your home. If you have only lost a few shingles, call a roofing contractor to have them replace the shingles you lost.
Call A Roofing Professional For An Inspection
Don't risk your safety by going on your roof yourself. Instead, call a professional roofing company to come and perform an inspection. They will be able to safely go on your roof and look for any damage or concerning spots. After an inspection, they will be able to provide you with an estimate for repairs or replacements, depending on what you need.
File a Claim With Your Home Insurance Company
If a storm caused damage to your roof and shingles, the cost of repair or replacement could be covered by your home insurance policy. Roof It Forward can help you work with your insurance provider and get all the proper paperwork to get your repairs covered. Having an experienced and knowledgeable roofing contractor on your side will make the process easier.
Prevent Roof Damage In The Future
No matter if you need a repair or a full replacement, you want to do what you can to prevent any damage in the future. A few ways to do this are:
Cleaning out your gutters on a regular basis so water and debris don't collect on your roof.
Inspect your roof and remove the debris from your valleys, etc., every season.
Invest in a roofing maintenance program with a roofing contractor to have an inspection done regularly, so concerning spots on your roof do not go unnoticed.
Why You Should Contact A Roofing Company Immediately
There are several reasons you should contact a roofing company as soon as you notice missing shingles.
Missing or Damaged Shingles Can Cause Leaks
Missing or damaged shingles can leave your roof vulnerable to leaks. Any small crack can lead to a leak inside your attic space. Moisture from rainfall can soak through the underlayment of your roof and into the inside of your home. It can rot out your decking too. If a leak goes unnoticed for long enough, it will create brown water spots on your ceiling and even dripping spots on exterior walls. As soon as you notice a leak, call a roofing contractor so it can be taken care of immediately.
Missing Shingles Can Cause Mold & Rot
Once your roofing underlayment is exposed to moisture, bacteria and mold can start to grow. Mold can quickly reduce your home's air quality and can make breathing difficult for anyone suffering from asthma and allergies. If mold goes untreated, it can easily spread to your walls, flooring, and insulation. Untreated mold growth can be a costly repair once it is widespread throughout your home.
Other types of fungus can cause dry rot in warmer climates. With missing or damaged shingles, the underlayment of your roof is now exposed to humidity and UV rays from the sun, creating the perfect environment for bacteria and fungus to grow. Dry rot can then spread through all of the wooden material that makes up your home. This will weaken the integrity and can lead to damage throughout your entire home.
As soon as you notice missing shingles, be sure to take action to prevent a widespread issue like mold and dry rot.
Missing Shingles Can Cause Infestations
Without shingles, your home is also left susceptible to insects and pests. Pests can easily get into your home through any small gap, allowing bugs and rodents to start colonies in your home. Once they are inside, they can roam and contaminate your entire home.
Missing Shingles Can Cause Additional Damage
Any rainfall on an unprotected roof can begin to weaken the foundation and structural elements of your home. This can lead to a plethora of damage, including wall breakage, foundation cracking, and roof caving. These types of damages are extensive throughout your home and can result in a hefty repair bill.
A key piece of roof underlayment material is waterproofing materials. Waterproofing materials are meant to protect your home from drafts and moisture. With the shingles no longer on your roof to cover the waterproofing material, they can begin to wear down from humidity and direct sunlight, thus losing their integrity. This can cause your home to be much less comfortable during harsh temperature changes and leave your hardwood floors sensitive to warping and cracking.
Missing Shingles Can Cost You
Asphalt shingles are meant to keep your home cooler by reflecting UV rays from the sun. If your roof is missing shingles, your home will not be protected from the UV rays, making your indoor living space warm and uncomfortable, making you spend more money on utilities. You can also end up paying more utilities in the winter, as weakening roof insulation causes loss of heat.
Replacing the few missing shingles is less expensive than a whole roof replacement. If you wait too long to replace a few shingles, the damage can end up extending across your roof, leading to a full roof replacement being needed. Not to mention the damage that could happen throughout your home.
Your property value could decrease from missing shingles. Your roof is a big factor when it comes to curb appeal. When you have a high-quality roof, your property value is increased for the curb appeal and integrity of the roof. If you have a damaged roof, potential buyers will be concerned about structural damage and water leaks that have gone unnoticed.
Missing shingles need to be taken care of as soon as you notice. ARAC Roof It Forward can provide a free video inspection of your roof to see what needs to be repaired or replaced. After the inspection, our roofing professionals will provide you with an estimate for the cost of repair. If you need to file an insurance claim, Roof It Forward will walk you through the process to make sure it goes smoothly. Whether it's a simple repair or a full replacement, ARAC Roof It Forward is here to help.