Will Roof Leak with One Shingle Missing?

Every shingle counts the overall performance and longevity of your roof. Shingles may go detached during severe snowstorms and wind blow-offs. Even falling tree branches can damage your shingles unnoticed and leave roof leaks.

Does the size or location of the missing part matter?

Shingles can be easily uprooted by blowing debris if poorly installed or replaced. While a few missing shingles may become noticeable, most homeowners often ask if they can cause roof leaks. This will largely depend on the number of displaced shingles and their location over your roof. It’s important to determine whether these missing shingles only appear as an eyesore or may potentially cause water damage to your house in the future.

A few missing shingles don’t cause serious damage, but the shingles’ outer sections may start to deteriorate once ripped off by intense weather. Regardless though, that shingle needs to be replaced. Since you can’t repair the shingles individually, roof leaks don’t start from pieces of broken shingles but from where these missing shingles are located.

The starting point of any roof leak depends on whether the detached shingle covers a seam between two other shingles below because shingles are arranged in a staggered pattern. So, if one or more roof seams become fully exposed to weather elements, you should expect water to penetrate the structures, including roof frames and underlayment materials. Other critical areas of your roof include hip valleys or sections where two low points of the roof connect and termination points like shingles-to chimney or shingles-to sunroofs. When shingles go missing in these areas, debris and rainwater may likely collect, thus increasing the risk of roof leaks.

This scenario happens due to normal wear-and-tear as well as extreme temperature variations. Even if a leaking roof isn’t your primary concern, a few missing shingles may give your home an unsightly curb appearance, further decreasing the market value of your property. As shingles begin to fall off, your home’s aesthetic value significantly depreciates, and you will find it difficult to replace them with the exact design and color.

If you live in an exclusive area where there’s an active homeowner’s association, you will be compelled to maintain a regular roof inspection to ensure full compliance with community standards. Losing the whole or a portion of the shingle doesn’t greatly impact your current roofing system. Even with a small portion of the shingle missing, however, an exposed seam may lead to interior leaks and property damage, regardless of the damaged shingles’ size and location. It’s always advisable to call the roofing contractors to restore the shingles before them because of further financial troubles.

Leak Potential in Composite Shingles

A missing shingle exposes the sheathing material underneath the composite shingle. Like organic 3-tab shingles, they are partially laid on top of the shingles below to provide optimal weather protection. When the shingles become dislodged, ripping through the roof’s staples, the felt material underneath becomes exposed to weather elements, though it can repel water when in perfect condition but not the debris.

What to do with missing shingles?

Your roof may develop leaks starting with just one missing shingle, though it will take time. Losing one or several pieces of shingles from those missing ones, however, may begin to deteriorate from continuous exposure to sunlight, heavy rainfall, and hailstorm. Also, once your roof’s service life reaches beyond 10 years, roof leaks will likely become more progressive.

The primary reason for repairing your roof right away is to avoid any potential water damage inside your home. If left unattended, It will result in rotten floorboards, damaged insulation, wall stains, and stagnant water anywhere in the house. And you may not even notice these interior home damages until they become unbearable, requiring you to spend excessively on major repairs. So, be sure to replace the missing shingles once you discover them to avoid any potential unwanted cost.

Once you spot the missing shingles, resolve the issue immediately by replacing the shingle with the same design or letting the experts handle it. For consistent performance and optimum protection, you should not use fiberglass shingles to replace missing organic shingles. Also, search for loose staples, nail holes, and uprooted parts around the missing shingles.

Constant exposure to weather elements isn’t always the main reason for missing shingles. Sometimes, you may find damaged sheathing underneath when the nails are no longer secured to the rotten wood. Having loose shingles is also a result of incorrect nailing technique from the time of installation when nails are hammered outside of the recommended nailing zone.

If one section of your roof is poorly installed, however, the rest of the roofing system may potentially experience the same issue sooner or later. That’s why you need to choose the right roofing contractor possessing the relevant expertise to install new shingles for your roof.

Why seek the services of professional roofers?

If you only spot several missing shingles and you think you can handle them, then you may opt not to hire a professional roofer. However, home insurance firms won’t cover your expenses if a qualified contractor doesn’t handle the repair. You may also lose your installed shingles’ product warranty if you decide to fix the broken shingles yourself.

It’s best to get professional services as roofing contractors can install new shingles that match your previously installed shingles. Aside from replacement, they can find other possible roofing issues during the inspection, which you might overlook, such as bent flashing and damaged gutters. They also possess the skills required to replace any missing shingles on various roof features, including chimneys, eaves, and skylights. Since these professional roofers have the appropriate tools and safety gear, they can replace missing shingles without damaging the surrounding parts.

Once you notice any loose shingles on your roof, don’t hesitate to contact the TCI manhattan Roofing NYC experts for your roof repair needs. Performing regular inspection and maintenance works ensures longer service life from your shingle roofing while keeping your home interiors free from water damage.