The roof is your home’s first line of defense against the ravages of Mother Nature. If you had roof shingles installed, the entire roof’s structural integrity depends on every single shingle.
Roof shingles are commonly made of asphalt, and they are a great choice to cover your roof because they are aesthetically pleasing and highly durable. They do well in keeping moisture away from vulnerable areas such as your foundation and sidings.
Roof shingles can be prone to dislodging due to heavy rain, wind, falling trees, or other blowing debris. Missing a few shingles on your roof isn’t just an aesthetic problem, but it can lead to structural issues, too.
Identifying Missing Roof Shingles
You need a sturdy roof to make sure your entire home’s structure lasts for as long as possible. Damaged or missing roof shingles will lead to many problems in your home, so it’s essential to make sure that all of them are intact.
But how do you even know if you’re missing roof shingles? If you’re lucky, a shingle blown off your roof during a storm will land right in your backyard. But the truth is, it’s difficult to know if your roof shingles are intact if you don’t take a look yourself.
Paradoxically, stepping on your roof shingles can cause them to break. If you suspect that you’re missing some shingles, the best tool to have on hand is a good pair of binoculars. If you chose a uniform color for all your shingles, any odd patches would be perfectly visible from the ground.
Other Signs Of Damaged Or Missing Shingles
If your roof is damaged, you will find more moisture and pests getting into your home. A musty smell or strange colors appearing on your ceiling are significant signs of roof damage.
Even losing part of a single shingle can cause leaks—it all depends on its location. During roof installation, shingles are arranged in a staggered pattern, so the ones placed along a higher row cover the seams of the ones set below. If these seams are exposed, they will let in water.
Need to fix roof leaks ASAP? Read our article about blocking roof leaks
Shingles located along the low points of your roof are crucial to keeping water away from its internal structures. If those shingles are damaged or missing, the chances for a leak increase.
When you spot aberrations on your shingles, the next course of action would be to call in experienced roofing contractors to discuss repair options.
Roof Shingle Repair Or Replacement
All roofs are meant to last for decades, but they also need regular care and maintenance. For protection against the elements and efficient insulation, you need to make sure that your roof is always in tip-top shape.
Professional roofing contractors will be able to diagnose all your roofing problems and tell you what needs to be done to maintain its structural integrity. Repairing and patching single shingles are easy, simple ways to make sure your roof lasts as long as possible.
If a large section of your roof is damaged or too many patchwork repairs have been done to your shingles, it may be best to opt for a total roof replacement. This is an expensive endeavor but will assure you of high performance for a lifetime.
Conclusion
Asphalt roof shingles do well to protect your home from the worst ravages of the weather. However, damage to even a single shingle in a crucial location can lead to water getting into your home. Your roof needs proper care and maintenance so that it can protect you and your family for many years to come.
Are you looking for roofing contractors in Fayetteville, NC? Southern Premier Roofing has been serving the area for many years. We offer a wide variety of roofing services, including remodeling, renovations, and replacements for roof structures, sidings, and gutters. Our team is ready to tackle any project thrown our way. Contact us today for a free inspection!
