How To Repair & Replace Blown-Off Roof Shingles

A roof shingle repair is an indicator of problems that are occurring on the roof. A roof shingle repair in Thunder Bay demonstrates to a property owner that a roof shingle replacement cost will be associated with any work needed to correct the problem. A roof shingle replacement isn’t catastrophic, but it could be a precursor of more significant problems if left unchecked. Ignorance is not bliss when it comes time for a shingle replacement; your home or commercial building can be the single biggest investment you ever make, and maintaining the asset in pristine condition is an obligation to wealth building – think equity here – that you want to cash in on. Asphalt shingle repair should be done by proven professionals who offer the service as part of their daily tasks. A shingle repair service near me works best as you can vet the roofing company’s work locally or regionally to handle the type of work the company you are reviewing does. Often incidentally, events will create a need for roofing services like hail or wind damage or a fallen tree, which means your roof needs the loving care of a roofing company to mitigate the circumstances you find yourself in. A complete roof replacement isn’t always necessary; let’s take a look at a few scenarios when a shingle(s) may have been blown off the roof.

Reasons a Roof Shingle May Blow Off

Faulty Installation

Roofing nails serve a vital function when applied to the shingle. They must be placed in the correct area to prevent the shingle from being blown off. That means the nails must be applied through the nailing strip to prevent the shingle from giving way under the duress of the weather.

Roof Damage

If your roof decking is damaged or rotting, attaching shingles securely to the roofing structure could be difficult. If this is the case, the shingles won’t hold a tight seal to the roof when under pressure from the weather and will be dislodged. The nails can pop out, and the shingle blows in the breeze until it is off the roof.

Cure Time Not Sufficient

To prevent leaks, some roofing systems require adhesion to form a watertight seal between the shingles and roof decking. Generally, the adhesive takes approximately 4-6 weeks to cure. If you have a problem in the meantime, the curing process hasn’t reached maturity, and your shingles will bear the brunt of the problem. Newly set shingles suffer from this problem.

Age

There is an old adage: Father Time is undefeated. A roofing system will last 20-25 years if maintenance and care are applied to sustain the roofing system. As time passes, wear and tear affects shingles and seals through degradation, and roof erosion is inevitable. You replace your car when it becomes obsolete; why not your shingles when they have outlived their usefulness?

Steps to Replace a Blown-Off Shingle

Assessing the Damage

First, you need to know how many shingles you must replace. This can involve loosening the shingles around the area of the missing shingle to determine the extent of the damage and the need for replacements.

Slide a New Shingle Into Place

When performing this activity, starting with the area highest up on the roof where the missing shingles are is essential. You may have to remove old roofing nails to get the shingles to align before you permanently affix them to the roof. The hard part of this exercise is applying the nail to the nail strip to secure the shingle to the roof. If you aren’t comfortable getting on a ladder or up on the roof to nail down the shingle, get a professional to handle the work.

How to Prevent Shingles from Blowing Off

If your shingles aren’t properly installed, you can expect them all over the neighbourhood. Old shingles and poor adhesion – think old adhesive that’s lost grip – can lead to shingles coming off the roof. Your roofing system should last for a generation, and losing shingles after a new installation should tell you that the adhesive didn’t cure. If the shingles have come off within six months of installation, call the company that installed them for a warranty replacement.

Does My Insurance Cover Roof Repair?

You could have a problem if your insurance company won’t cover the total costs of the repair. You may have to take the partial settlement and add your own money to complete the project. But you have an alternative. Have the roofing company and insurance adjuster meet to discuss the situation. At that time, the roofing company will explain why the insurance company should meet the obligation for comprehensive coverage. Your insurance adjuster is an expert in insurance, not roofing, and an in-depth explanation may be required to get the proper settlement.

What is the Cost Analysis of Repairing Part of the Roof?

When sizing up the costs for a partial repair, the price per square foot comes in higher than doing the whole roof. You need the crew, materials, and other sundry details for a partial repair that comes in higher on a partial repair. The next thing to consider is the part of the roof that went un-repaired, how much lifespan is left in it, and when you will have to repair or replace it. Doing a complete roof repair means that your roof will perform well for at least a decade or more, and the money you spend today means less on roof maintenance in the future.

FAQs on Roof Shingles Repair

Will my roof leak if some shingles blow off?

The answer is yes. Once water leaks into the decking, it can cause roof rot, mould and mildew. If not corrected, water can spread to your attic insulation, rendering it useless as the water will compress the insulation, and the air pockets in the insulation won’t provide the work needed.

How long can a roof go without shingles?

No time at all. When you have detected missing shingles, time is of the essence for a repair. Rain can come at any time, and water leaks don’t wait for a roof repair before the leak damages the roofing structure or the interior of your home.

Is roof damage by wind covered by insurance?

You must check your insurance policy to avoid discrepancies when wind damage occurs. Insurance companies underwrite wind damage differently, often working on a case-by-case basis. But, in the main, most insurance companies cover wind damage. Call your agent to ensure roof repairs are covered. Repairs are expensive, and you don’t want to cover the cost of one if you can help it.

Can you replace just a few shingles?

It depends on the age of the roof. If you are on the home stretch of the roof lifespan, it might not be in your best interests to replace shingles when a re-roof project might be in your short-term future. If your roofing system is relatively new – 10 years or thereabouts – replacing a few shingles is a great idea to continue the lifespan of your current roofing system.