Winnipeg homeowners deal with some of the countries most extreme weather conditions. The intense hot, cold, rain, snow, and wind means your protective roof shingles are easily damaged.
When shingles get damaged or go missing, your roof no longer protects you against the harsh weather. Leaks, infestations, and mold can all occur when shingles are missing.
In this article, we’ll delve deeper into what causes shingle damages, why it’s a risk to your home, and what you can do about it.
Why Do Shingles Fall Off The Roof?
Roof shingles protect the various layers of your roof structure from getting wet and rotting. But as these shingles bear the brunt of the weather and other external forces, they are prone to damaging and breaking off.
Some of the main reasons why shingles may be missing or damaged include:
- Damage from high winds
- Damage from walking on your roof
- Improper installation
- General wear and tear due to old age.
- Hail damage
How Can You Tell Your Shingles Need Replacing?
If only a few shingles are missing or damaged you can generally have them replaced at a low cost. If your roof has sustained extensive damage or your shingles are aged and weathered, it may be time to replace large sections or the entire roof.
Some signs you need to replace shingles include:
- Dark spots on the roof
- Curling or cracking shingles
- Higher heating or cooling costs
- Shingle granules in your gutters
- Shingles that are broken or missing
- Exposed nails
What Are The Risks Of Damaged Or Missing Shingles?
If some of your shingles are missing or broken, your roof no longer offers protection from the outside elements. But leaks are the biggest danger to your roof, your home, and your comfort.
If you don’t replace your missing shingles, you’re likely to experience leaks inside your home which can ruin your walls, windows, and flooring.
The remaining structure underneath your shingles is strong enough to hold off the water for a short time, but not for long. Eventually, water will get through the other layers of your roof ruin neighboring shingles, and can damage the structure of your roof.
Another risk to missing shingles, is the potential development and spreading-of harmful black mold. Mold loves a damp environment and thrives where water collects. Black mold is toxic and may cause mild-to-severe health complications.
What To Do When Your Shingles Fall Off The Roof
Alright, enough talk. While understanding why replacing your missing shingles is important, you want to know what to do if you notice shingles broken or missing.
To determine the solution, you first need to determine the problem. It’s highly recommended that you get in a professional roofing company to do the inspection and any repairs. Roof work is very dangerous and requires an experienced tradesman with the proper tools, equipment, and expertise to safely determine the cause of your missing shingles and recommend a solution.
Replace Missing Shingles
If weather conditions have knocked off a few asphalt shingles from your roof, there’s not much to worry about. A few missing shingles are easy to replace without needing major renovations.
One downside to replacing random shingles is that they won’t look the same as the old ones. Are you looking to sell your home soon? You might want to consider replacing all the shingles if yours are particularly old or weathered.
Don’t Walk On Your Roof
This may go without saying, but walking on your damages shingles, and thus not walking on your time on the roof will eliminate this type of damage (not to mention eliminate the risk of falling off your roof)
Ensure Shingles Were Properly Installed
If your shingles are new or otherwise in good condition yet you still notice some are missing, you should contact your roofing company and ask them about their workmanship and warranty. A roofing company should want to make sure their products were installed correctly.
Replace Aged Shingles
Nothing lasts forever, and if your shingles were installed more than 15 years ago, they are more prone to drying out and falling off. In this scenario, replacing shingles as they fall off is not recommended as this will keep happening. The cost of replacing all the shingles is less than continually calling professionals in for spot repairs.
Contact Your Roof Insurance Company
If you have roof insurance, you may be protected against damages from fire, water, leaks, hail, fallen trees, and other damages. After calling a professional roofing inspector to assess and document the damages, contact your roof insurance company and go through their process for filing a claim.
Choose Del’s Exteriors For Your Roof Repair In Winnipeg
Whether replacing a few shingles or the entire roof, roofing jobs require a reputable and professional company to execute well. Del’s Exteriors has over 65 years of experience to help you with any roofing project no matter how big or small.
We specialize in roof repairs and replacements using only quality materials to create roofs that are both beautiful and long-lasting.