Properly installed and intact asphalt shingles do a great job of sealing out the weather and protecting your home’s structural components. However, shingles must remain intact to provide proper protection. Large hailstones or windblown debris can break shingles, allowing pieces to be blown away or washed off by rain. A strong wind can lift and remove an entire section of shingles at one time. New shingles that have not yet had time to seal properly or those that were not installed correctly can be removed even if the wind is not all that strong. Most homeowners realize that missing shingles are not a good thing, but they often are uncertain of just how bad the situation can be. Any reputable Austin roofing contractor can tell you that missing shingles need to be dealt with immediately.
Why Are Missing Shingles a Problem?
Residential roofing consists of several components. Your roof covering is only one of these components. There is a layer of felt under your shingles that helps repel water. The felt is attached to the roof deck, which consists of pieces of plywood that are nailed to the rafters. Missing shingles expose the felt to the elements. If the felt is torn or otherwise damaged, water can reach the decking and rot it. The rain continues its downward progress, inflicting damage on the rafters, attic floor, wall studs, and floor joists.
Is Water the Only Problem Posed by Missing Shingles?
Other natural forces can work on a roof with missing shingles. For example, the neighboring shingles are at higher risk of being lifted and removed by the wind. Sunlight can damage the exposed felt, rendering it incapable of repelling water. Even if you do not expect it to rain for the next month or two, you should still call a contractor to perform a roof repair as soon as you notice missing shingles.
Is a Total Roof Replacement a Better Option Than Replacing Missing Shingles?
There are many factors that need to be considered before deciding between a roof repair and a roof replacement. Contact a reputable roofing contractor who offers both of these roofing services for a thorough evaluation and professional recommendation. However, your answers to the following questions can help you decide.
1. How old is your roof? If your shingles are the three-tab style and are more than 12 or 15 years old, it might make better economic sense to go with a total replacement. If your shingles are of a higher grade, the line could be 20 to 30 years.
2. How important to you are the aesthetics of your roof? An exact match between the replacement and existing shingles is highly unlikely, and the older your shingles, the higher the contrast will be. If your shingles are only a year or two old, the difference in color will usually be negligible, but the same cannot be said if your shingles are 10 or 12 years old.
3. How extensive is the area needing replacement? If only a few shingles have been lost, the replacement shingles will not be as noticeable. However, if a large portion of one roof plane or several large areas on multiple planes needs replacement, your roof could end up looking like a patchwork quilt. You could also end up spending more in the long run.
We would be happy to evaluate your roof and help you decide on the best way to proceed. Alpha Roofing is an award-winning residential and commercial roofing company with an impeccable reputation for high-quality craftsmanship and exemplary customer service. Our roofing services include emergency roof repairs, asphalt shingle, and metal roof installations, chimney and flashing repair, and debris removal. For a free roof inspection and job quote, fill out our online form or call 512-777-1086.