Why Is Your Roof Missing Shingles and What to Do About It?
02/22/2021
Have you been finding random shingles around your home and backyard? Does your roof look like it has patches all over it?
Your roof is obviously losing shingles and while it may be a serious problem, there are also efficient solutions to that problem.
Shingles can get damaged and fall off for a number of different reasons and the ideal way to face the issue will depend on its main cause.
Take a look, therefore, at some of the most common reasons for missing shingles and find out what you can do about them.
Older or Aged Out Roof
Do you know how old your shingle roof is or what is its expected life span? This is very important information to keep in mind because the older your roof is, the more issues it will cause.
And one of the most frequent issues with older roofs is shingle damage and missing shingles. If you are not sure about the age of your roof, some of the warning signs that it is nearing its end are curling shingles and cracks in the shingles, as well as the loss of the surface granules.
These damaged shingles may soon start falling off, as they have become worn out and weak.
What Can You Do?
The best and most efficient solution in these cases is a full roof replacement. Of course, you may opt for a roof repair, but these repairs will only pile up and cost you much more in the end.
In this case, the shingles are at the end of their functional life, many of them will subsequently start falling off and roof leaks may start to develop. Therefore, the most efficient and economical solution is to replace the entire roof.
Hail-Damaged Roof
If you live in an area that is prone to hailstorms, you probably already know the damage this type of storm can cause. Depending on the size of the hail, it may leave bigger or smaller cracks and bruises on your shingles. And while hail isn’t usually the direct cause of shingles falling off, it may eventually lead to this.
These cracked and bruised shingles will further deteriorate and become weaker, which will eventually cause them to fall off completely or become ineffective at protecting your home.
What Can You Do?
If the damages on your roof are a direct cause of the hailstorm, it is recommended to file an insurance claim for that damage. You can first call your local roofer to inspect the damage and give you a detailed report, as well as contact your insurance adjuster.
Once the claim process is underway, all that is left to do is start the roof repair or roof replacement project, depending on the extent of the damages.
Wind-Damaged Roof
High winds are among the first and most common causes of blown-off and missing shingles. Even the highest quality roof may suffer wind damages and malfunction due to extreme weather.
Asphalt shingles, for example, are pretty durable and can stand up to harsh weather, but despite that, sometimes very high winds may blow off a few shingles.
What Can You Do?
If the cause for your missing shingles is only the wind, then this problem is fairly easily solvable because you will only need to replace the shingles that are missing. If your roof is generally in good condition and not too old, then there will be no need to replace it entirely.
If the missing shingles are caught on time, your roofer should be able to replace them quickly and efficiently.
And when it comes to future windstorms and damage prevention, the best thing to do is conduct regular inspections to make sure your roof is in great shape, as well as to catch any minor issues before they develop into more serious problems.
Foot Traffic on the Roof
Walking on top of your roof is not only dangerous and risky for your own health and safety, but it will also cause damage to your shingles.
Clay shingles, for example, are highly vulnerable to cracks if one should walk on top of them and asphalt shingles are more vulnerable during hot days. When the temperatures are high, asphalt shingles become more flexible and with it, they can be pulled out more easily under the influence of foot traffic.
What Can You Do?
No matter if your shingles are falling off and breaking down or not, walking on top of your roof is never recommended, even if you have a flat roof. It involves unnecessary risks of injuries and falls, so only professionals with experience should go up there to conduct the necessary roofing work.
Therefore, whatever the reason for increased foot traffic on your roof was, you should limit it and prevent it altogether.
In case you have any issues with your roof or with other roofing parts, such as gutters or skylights, make sure to call a professional roofer. They will be able to deal with the problem expertly and carefully, ensuring maximum safety and minimal damages to shingles.
Badly Installed Roof
What are some of the possible signs that your roof has been poorly installed?
It is usually when you notice roof shingles falling off, but none of the previously mentioned issues apply. In other words, your roof is brand-new or just recently installed, there have been no hail or windstorms, and there has been no foot traffic on the roof, but you are still seeing missing shingles.
What Can You Do?
The best thing to do is to call the roofer that installed your roof as soon as possible. It is important to get to the bottom of the issue. Quality and professional roofers usually stand by their work and offer guarantees, so if there are any installation issues, you will be covered by your guarantee.
If that roofer is hard to get ahold of, you might also call another roofer to ask for a second opinion and request a free inspection by an objective third-party.
At Fortified Roofing, we are always at your disposal for a detailed inspection and with us, you will only get the highest-quality new roof installation. Therefore, whether you are having an issue with a previous installation or need a new roof replacement, don’t hesitate to call us.
Consult with Your Local Roofer
If you are experiencing issues with your roof and especially if you’ve noticed that your shingles are missing, make sure to call your best local roof replacement company as soon as possible.
At Fortified Roofing, we make sure to inspect your roof in close detail so that we can pinpoint the exact cause and root of the problem. We will make sure to mitigate the issues quickly and efficiently so that no further problems arise.