Have you ever thought of what will happen when one of your roof shingles becomes missing? How would that one missing piece affect your home?
Roof shingles are tabs of roofing elements installed in an overlapping manner. These roofing materials come in different colours and shapes (e.g., flat and rectangular) and are placed in courses from bottom to top.
Roof shingles play a crucial role in overall roof coverage to help ensure maximum home protection. Your roof is exposed to various elements, such as sunlight, rain, and wind. These may accelerate wear and tear and move your shingles out of place. The shingles protect your roof from the destruction caused by heat and water.
So step outside your home, check your roof, and see if any of your roof shingles are missing. If there are damaged or missing roof shingles, call a roofing specialist like Arrowhead Roofing and have those replaced immediately.
Replacing damaged or missing shingles must be done as quickly as possible. Otherwise, you might end up dealing with severe problems.
They Can Leave Your Roofing Vulnerable To Harsh Weather
Roof shingles are your roofing’s first line of defense against harsh weather conditions, such as hurricanes, blizzards, and heavy rains. Without them, the delicate weatherproofing layers underneath will be exposed to destructive elements.
Missing roof shingles can quickly deteriorate the roofing that protects you from freezing and blistering weather conditions day after day. If you start to feel uncomfortable and a little too cold or hot, those missing shingles might be the cause of your discomfort.
They Can Cause Leaks
If your shingles are complete, you, your family, and your belongings will be safe from unfavorable heat, wind, and water. However, when one of them goes missing, water may enter and cause a leak into your home.
Missing roof shingles may cause water to enter and soak the delicate roofing materials underneath those shingles. Such leaks can weaken your roofing system, inviting harsh elements to invade your home.
Leaks may also promote the growth of mold and fungi. These microorganisms can contaminate the air you breathe, leading to serious and long-term health complications (e.g., respiratory problems).
Keep in mind that the more shingles go missing, the greater the risk of causing leaks. You need to hire a roofing specialist at least once a year to check your roof’s condition and prevent further damage.
They Can Cause Dry Rot
Missing roof shingles enable water to permeate into any wooden structure inside and outside your home. Damp wood with at least 20% moisture content attracts airborne fungal spores. These spores will germinate, and grey strands called hyphae will emerge. These strands of hyphae will slowly consume the wood away.
Although it’s the most problematic form of fungal decay, dry rot doesn’t cause severe health risks. However, if it’s left untreated, it can cause serious damage to the structural integrity of your property. This can leave your home structurally weakened, with a possibility of collapsing at any moment.
If you find missing shingles in your roof, look for signs of leaks throughout your home. Then check to determine whether the leak has penetrated the wooden structure of your home. If it does, call a specialist immediately, and replace the affected structure to prevent further damage and the spread of dry rot across your home.
They Can Cause Higher Energy Bills
Roofing systems play a crucial role in reducing energy consumption every month. It prevents direct exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays and protects your attic from heat.
If you have a missing shingle, UV rays will penetrate your home through the hole. As a result, the temperature inside your home will begin to increase. This will force your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system to work harder, which can lead to the following:
- Discomfort during months of extreme temperatures (summer and winter months)
- Accelerated wear and tear (e.g., overheating, etc.)
- Inconsistent indoor temperature (Some parts might feel colder while others might feel warmer.)
- Higher relative humidity (A functional HVAC dehumidifies air through proper air circulation.)
- Higher energy bills (The harder your HVAC works, the more energy it uses.)
Replacing missing roof shingles or repairing damaged ones is an effective way to keep your energy bills low throughout the year. Ask your local roofing specialist for help in case some of your roof shingles go missing.
They Can Cause Expensive House Repairs
Missing roof shingles can cause expensive home repairs in the future, especially if left untreated. That’s because certain problems would be more challenging to repair.
For example, failure to replace missing shingles as quickly as possible can accelerate roofing system deterioration. In the worst-case scenario, you might need to replace the entire roofing system due to serious damage that basic repairs can’t do.
If you’re worried about the costs, contact a roofing specialist immediately, and have your roof inspected to prevent further damage not worth your money. Note that missing roof shingles must be addressed immediately before the damage spreads to other parts of your roof.
They Invite Pest To Enter Your Home
Missing roof shingles leave holes in your roofing system. These holes are the points of entry for unwanted pests, rodents, and insects, allowing them to invade your home, ruin your belongings, and put your family’s health at risk.
Unfortunately, most homeowners ignore the dangers and hazards of missing roof shingles until such horrible acts occur. Replacing missing and fixing damaged roof shingles prevent pest infestation. So call an expert right away if you find your shingles have gone.
They Can Damage The Value Of Your Property
If you’re planning to sell your property someday, you should pay attention to your roof because it’s one of the things house hunters would notice right away. If it’s in bad condition, they might take it against your property.
Missing roof shingles, expect the value of your home to drop. To avoid such situations, you have to replace them with ones made from high-quality materials. This will help increase your property’s overall value, especially when it comes to aesthetics and durability.
What Are The Common Causes Of Missing Roof Shingles?
Have you ever wondered why missing roof shingles happen? If you do, here are the common reasons roof shingles go missing:
- Wrong Installation
Roof shingles are often installed in an overlapping manner. This way, shingles cover the seams of the ones below, reducing the risk of leaking. Failure to follow proper installation techniques may increase the chances of missing roof shingles.
- Poor Maintenance Practices
Missing shingles won’t cause damage immediately, but they’ll surely do so if left untreated. That’s why regular roof inspections and maintenance are important. Call a roofing specialist to check your roof once a year to address problems that may cause severe damage.
- Weather Exposure
Since there’s no way to control the weather, you don’t have a choice but to pay attention to your roof shingles after a storm, hurricane, or blizzard. Even the most expensive shingles can’t stand strong against natural disasters. Therefore, a roof inspection is a must.
- Old Age
As time passes, your roof becomes weaker and more vulnerable to damage and failures. For example, a 25-year-old roof is more likely to suffer frequent damage and lose more shingles than a 10-year-old one.
Do Missing Roof Shingles Require A New Roof?
A few missing roof shingles don’t mean complete roof replacement. In most cases, replacing missing shingles will suffice. But sometimes, replacing the entire roof is smarter, especially when the layers underneath those missing shingles become damaged. Calling a roofing specialist is the first step to determining whether you need to repair or replace your roof.
How To Replace A Blown-Off Roof Shingle?
If your roof shingles have been blown off by strong winds and hurricanes, here’s a two-step guide to replace the missing ones:
- Evaluate The Damage: Determine how many roof shingles are blown off to budget, and purchase the right number of shingles for replacement. Consider loosening the nails of the shingles above the damaged ones to check if there are any hidden damage or partially dislodged shingles.
- Install The New One In Place: Slide the new one from top to bottom. You might need to lift or remove surrounding nails to install new shingles properly. Replacing roof shingles is easy, but it’s difficult where to put the nails in.
If you’re not comfortable with replacing roof shingles on your own, it might be best to leave the job to a roofing specialist.
Final Thoughts
Roof shingles protect homes from potential hazards that can break your wallet. These include water leaks, high energy bills, structural damage, and pest infestation. That’s why it’s important to take action as quickly as possible when they become missing.
Calling a roofing specialist and having your roof inspected regularly can help avoid common roof problems that can endanger you, your family, and your home.
