Shingles are a popular roofing material, and they help keep a home safe. The shingles can come off if there
are hail storms or strong winds. Normally, the roof can stay in place during harsh weather conditions.
However, on one occasion, you may notice a shingle or two misses. In such a scenario, you must
understand the risks that you are taking on.The first question that homeowners ask themselves when they notice a shingle missing is, ‘will my roof leak with one shingle missing?’ It is so easy for homeowners to assume that one shingle cannot damage the roof.That is not entirely true. So, what exactly happens when one shingle is missing?
How do Shingles go missing?
There are several reasons why shingles come off the roof, with the most obvious reasons being strong winds.
People who live in areas prone to rain or hail storms know that it is common to find a shingle missing on the
roof. Sometimes, there are underlying reasons as to why the shingle was loose in the first place. It may be due to poor installation, improper nailing, or rot below. Whatever the reason, you will end up with a missing shingle. Therefore, you need to understand what kind of damage you are exposing your roof to when you do
not immediately replace a missing shingle.
Will My Roof Leak With One Shingle Missing?
Yes. Sooner or later, your roof will start leaking when it rains, depending on how the shingle came off.
Shingles mostly come in 3-tabs, and the top shingle is the most likely one to come off. A shingle can come
off completely, or the top layer of the shingle will come off. Either way, you need to start thinking of repairs
to avoid more damage.
What Happens When A Shingle is Missing
The worst part is that the shingle comes off completely at the seam, leaving a gap between shingles. The gap
won’t cause noticeable leakage immediately. What happens is that your roof won’t be draining as it should.
Some of the water will seep underneath the other shingles, and damage the roof’s inner parts.
When the top layer of the shingle comes off, it leaves a dark material in plain sight. The dark material is the
inner part of the shingle, and it doesn’t have protection against the UV rain. It will slowly deteriorate and
leave a gap between the shingles when left unrepaired for long. Water will start seeping into your roof and
cause damage.
When a shingle stays missing for an extended period, you may start to notice water leaking into the house
through the roof or the house. At that point, your roof will have extensive water damage underneath. You
will need to spend a substantial amount to correct the damage and repair your roof. Even if your house has
felt paper as part of the roof for protection, going for long periods without replacing a missing shingle can
have massive damage to your home.
What Should You Do After Noticing a Missing Shingle?
The first step should be to call your roofer to see the extent of the damage. It may be tempting to go on the
roof and check things out on your own. However, it is always best to get the opinion of a professional.
Professional roofers can identify the extent of the damage and provide effective solutions to dealing with the
damage.
What Are Some Of The Issues That Can Arise?
The biggest issue that may arise from a missing shingle is water leaking into the roof. In the first stage, water
will leak into the nearby shingles and cause dampness. The dampness will lead to the growth of mold and mildew on the roof, none of which is good. In the second stage, water will start leaking into the frame of the
roof. The timber underneath the roofing materials will soak in the water and start rotting. Rotting wood is
dangerous because strong winds can lead to the collapse of some part of the roof.
Finally, the water will start leaking into the house and cause dampness. The dampness will create an ideal
environment for mildew and mold to grow in the home. The fungi can lead to respiratory problems for
individuals living in the house. It can also lead to a high cost of repairs for the roof and the house’s damage
Replacing a Missing Shingle
A single missing shingle may seem like a small deal, but small leaks lead to bigger leaks with time. Besides,
replacing a single shingle is cheaper than replacing a section of your roof.
When you decide to replace a shingle for a 3-tab shingle, you will have to replace all of it. You must find a
professional roofer to do the replacement. It will be cheaper to replace a missing shingle immediately after
you notice the gap.
You should also hire a local roofer who is familiar with the ideal roofing materials and
the area’s weather conditions. It will only take a few hours for a simple replacement project.
Do I Need a Roof Inspection?
If a shingle has been missing from your roof for a long time, you will need a roof inspection to reveal the
damage’s extent. A professional roofing company can send an experienced roofer to check the roof’s
integrity beneath the roofing materials. Opting to do a replacement without an inspection can be dangerous
and cause you to do more repairs shortly.
The inspection ensures that you do all the necessary repairs as soon as possible and ensure that you don’t
need repair services in the future. You will sleep soundly, knowing that your loved ones are safe from harsh
weather conditions.
How Do I Prevent The Loss Of Shingles?
There is a simple way to prevent the ordeal of missing a shingle. You need to subscribe to a roof
maintenance service. Maintenance of a roof ensures that your roof is in top-notch condition before the rain
or snow season arrives. Your roofing company will recommend the necessary repairs or additional materials
to improve the strength of your roof.
Roof maintenance services are cheaper because they uncover loose or
damage shingles, holes, cracks, or weaknesses. It is worth it to pay a small price for maintenance and small
repairs to avoid the cost of major repairs down the line.
How Do I Select Roofing Company?
It may be overwhelming to find the right roofing company near you to replace your missing shingle. A quick
search on the internet will give you a long list of available roofing companies. You need to look for a few
things in a roofing company when making a hiring decision.
– Licenses and Certification
The best roofing companies have all the necessary licenses and certifications from the necessary authorities.
Also, their roofers have the ideal certifications for doing roof installations and repairs. Most companies
disclose the certification they have on their websites for potential clients to know. Ask whether the company
will help you apply for permits if you have to do major repairs due to water damage.
– Experience
It is imperative to ask about the experience level of the roofers before hiring a roofing company.
Additionally, find out the experience that the company has offering roofing services in your area. Some
roofing issues are particular to some locations. A foreign roofing company may not be aware of the
techniques that locals use to prevent harsh weather damage.
– Trained Roofers
The techniques and roofing materials are evolving every day for the homeowners. It is essential to find a
company that invests in training its personnel on the latest roofing techniques. You will enjoy a high efficiency level when you hire a company with highly skilled roofers to do your repairs.
– Insurance
It is not uncommon for damage to happen during home improvement projects like roofing repairs. Reputable
companies take out insurance to ensure that clients get compensated for any damage to property during the
repairs. Although you may not incur any property damage, it is good to know that the company can replace
anything you lose immediately.
– Customer Service
Poor customer service can turn small repairs into unpleasant experiences. You must find a company that
offers fast services, answers all your questions, explains things, and has excellent communication channels.
You will be able to keep up with your repairs’ progress from preparation to the actual replacement.
Why Should You Hire Us?
missing shingles. We have the best roofers in the area, and our level of professionalism is unbeatable. You
can rest easy knowing that your shingle repairs are in good hands. Our professional team will assess the
damage on your roof and recommend the best course of action.
You can call our offices and request a quote for your roofing repairs. Our friendly personnel will answer any
questions you may have about our services. We can schedule a visit to assess the extent of the damage and
give you a rough estimate of the time the repairs will take. Don’t hesitate to call Sellers Roofing Company New Brighton for all your roofing needs.