Every shingle is essential in maintaining the optimum performance of your roof. But its deterioration due to blow-offs and hailstorms and loss of debris is inevitable. If you’re wondering if some pieces of missing shingles can develop roof leaks, the answer will depend on the number of shingles that have been displaced or fallen to the bottom. Not only that, but roof leaks also depend on the subsequent sequences, which may happen from the time shingles in your roof were ripped off until the water enters inside the building.
Size of the Damage Matters
Missing shingles can give an unsightly appearance to your house when they become noticeable from outside view. However, it is crucial to determine if the missing shingles are capable enough to wreak havoc on your roof structure. Once you notice the extent of missing shingles on your roof, you need a proactive approach to save the adjacent shingles and other roof components from further damage.
Strong winds can easily remove shingles if they are improperly installed, which is why the quality of installation is crucial to keep the pristine condition of the roof and avoid the potential dangers of having roof leaks. At the beginning of your project, you must carefully evaluate the credentials of your roofing New York contractors to ensure quality workmanship and timely delivery.
A few missing shingles won’t cause immediate water damage. However, leak problems may eventually develop when the broken ones become permanently exposed. These shingles can gradually deteriorate because of the continuous presence of moisture and temperature variations, causing them to rot sooner. Unfortunately, you can’t replace the shingles individually because you also need to replace the adjacent shingles, causing your roof an uneven surface appearance when you look at it from a distance.
The starting point of roof leaks often comes from the loose shingles covering the seam between the bottom shingles. When the seams become exposed to weather elements, water will get inside and penetrate through the sheathing layers. If water passes through the underlayment, it will cause other parts like roof frames, attic floors, and ceiling to rot because of moisture build-up and mold growth.
As one way to save on roof replacement cost, you can settle for double layering of shingles by installing new shingles over the exposed shingles underneath. Unfortunately, this won’t provide a long-term solution because this repair technique seems more susceptible to water intrusion, nail holes, and rotting underlayment. You also can’t install two different types of asphalt shingles due to variations on shingle profile and the required installation method.
You also need to check other critical areas of your roof, such as roof termination on skylights and chimneys. Installed flashing in these areas is often destroyed due to their unique application. Also, consider monitoring the hip valleys, the place where the two lowest points of the roof meet, as water often accumulates here. When broken shingles in these areas are ripped off, loose branches and rainwater may likely collect, thus increasing water damage.
You may need a roof replacement if your roof damage has reached over seventy percent. Additionally, if you’re already experiencing recurring problems and frequent roof repairs, you should prepare for your impending replacement cost. Before you decide whether to subject your roof to a replacement, seek assistance from credible roofing companies New York to understand the potential extent of the damage.
All these scenarios can happen due to temperature variation and normal aging of your roof. Even if roof leaks are not your primary concern, missing shingles will give your house an undesirable appearance, resulting in depreciating your house’s real estate value. Moreover, it can be challenging to find the exact appearance of the loose shingles because the design of the shingles constantly changes. In some instances, a homeowner may be forced to replace the entire roof and incur further financial troubles.
There are also situations wherein if you live in an exclusive neighborhood with an existing homeowners association, you’ll be compelled to keep an annual roof inspection as part of your compliance with local community codes. Losing several pieces of roof shingles won’t immediately cause significant damage to your house. But if you just let seam and algae growth problems go unattended for an extended time, your home interiors will severely suffer, incurring high renovation costs on your part.
The damage might go unnoticed if you only lose a small number of shingles. If these missing shingles have caused a lot of inconvenience for your family, you shouldn’t hesitate to have expert roofers in your local area take care of them. The life expectancy of your roof shingles depends on your efforts to maintain them using professional repair services and basic DIY skills.
