What Home and Business Owners Need to Know About Missing Roof Shingles

As New Englanders, we’re no strangers to storms. Wind, rain, sleet and ice can all leave a roof looking a little under the weather. After a storm blows through, you might notice a few asphalt shingles missing from your roof. Or maybe there is no storm, but you own a beautiful older home and some of the shingles are damaged or badly worn. You don’t think it’s a big deal, but then you start wondering. Will my roof leak? It’s definitely possible!

It’s important to get missing shingles replaced as soon as possible to prevent further damage and expenses down the line. Being proactive with your roof repair will save you hundreds of dollars and bring you peace of mind.

Why, Generally, a Missing Shingle is Cause for Concern

When shingles are missing it allows the wind to get between the roof deck and roof shingles causing the “non-missing” ones to lift and come unsealed. There is a one in three chance that the missing shingle sat above an open seam between the shingles below. The standard 3-tab shingles are installed side-by-side with each new row of shingles covering the top of the layer below and the side seams.

Shingles are installed in layers to wick water away from the wood underneath. Each layer is composed of 3-shingle sections that are laid next to each other, end to end. When roofers add new layers of shingles during installation, they stagger the seams so water can’t get in. If a shingle above a seam tears off, water can flow into the newly unprotected gap between the lower shingles, leading to rotted plywood and roof leaks.

Sometimes your missing shingle doesn’t reveal a seam, but your roof may still be in danger of leaking. The upper portion of the shingle has less protective mineral granules than the bottom. These granules protect the shingle from the sun. When the upper portion of the shingle is exposed, the UV rays might cause it to decay and the rest of the shingles will follow suit. This will eventually lead to leaking, water damage, and mold. No matter their placement on the roof, all missing shingles can lead to roof leaks. Generally, it’s best to address these issues as soon as possible.

The Details Behind Damage from Missing Shingles

  • Water: For a while, the felt paper below any missing shingles will shield your house from water damage. However, a missing asphalt shingle isn’t something you should leave unattended for too long. Left unfixed, you could be in danger, especially during heavy rain which can be common on Boston’s South Shore. Once under the shingles, water will rot the wood sheathing beneath. This can also harm your attic, ceiling joists, rafters, wall framing, and more. Rotting wood leads to structural instability in the home and seriously expensive damage. Leaking water is also a hazard because it leads to electrical issues and fire hazards when electrical systems are in close proximity to the leaking roof.
  • Mold: Mold and mildew can develop as a result of the moisture coming in through the damaged roof. Mold can ruin paint, walls, clothing, furniture, carpets, and rugs, not to mention cause health-related harm to people who have allergies or respiratory problems.
  • Ice: When the New England winter arrives, freezing water can lead to other issues. When the water which has entered the home freezes, it expands. This leads to cracks in the roof or framing of the house. It’s a slippery slope as the cracks allow more water to seep in – which makes the structure more unstable. You can read more about the impact of ice on roofs here, here, and here.
  • Increased Energy Bills: A roof with a hole in it is permeable. With a missing shingle, you will find it harder to keep your home warm or cold depending on the season and this will increase your energy bills.

How Our South Shore Roofing Company Can Help

As with many other home issues, it’s better to fix the problem of a missing asphalt shingle sooner rather than later. Our roofing contractor experts at South Shore Roofing can fix your home or commercial roof before it starts leaking. We’ll help keep your family, employees, or tenants safe and dry! So, please reach out any time to discuss roof damages and the best solutions.

 

 

 

 

 

Why Summer is The Perfect Time to Get Your Roof Repaired or Replaced

Summer is the perfect time for barbeques, beach trips, and picking up that paperback that you’ve had forever but haven’t gotten around to reading yet. The warm weather lends itself to rest, relaxation, and connecting with friends. It’s also the perfect time for checking those long-procrastinated home improvement projects off your list. Is one of those projects replacing or repairing your South Shore home’s roof?

You can hire a roofer at any point in the year, but there are quite a few reasons why summer is an ideal season to tackle this project in particular.

  1. The weather is consistently dry and warm enough to allow materials and tools to function optimally. Shingles need to set and seal and they can only do this at temperatures between 40 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Installing shingles in the summer will prevent shingles from getting cold, cracking and breaking.
  2. You can prepare for the harsh winter weather conditions in advance. When the sleet, snow, and hail come, you won’t have to worry about your roof leaking or your home sustaining any damages that might have been prevented had you replaced or repaired your roof sooner. We discussed the dangers of prolonging roof repair and replacement in our “Warning Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Roof” blog post.
  3. Summer conditions are safer for outdoor workers, in general, and the abundance of light allows our experienced team of roofing contractors to work longer days so your residential roof repair or replacement project will be completed faster. The dry, warm weather allows for more good work days and since we’re in New England, it doesn’t tend to get so hot that workers will get overheated if they take the right precautions, like staying hydrated.
  4. Since summer is such a great time for house roofing work, local stores will have a greater variety of shingles to choose from, so you can be sure that you get exactly the color and style of new roof that you want for your South Shore home!

Time slots are more limited in summer because it’s such a good time to do the work, so it’s better to schedule your roof replacement or repair project sooner rather than later. Our roofing company can help with residential roofing, commercial roofing, and storm damage. You can visit this page to get a free virtual or in-person estimate on your new project. And don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions. The team at South Shore Roofing would love to discuss your roofing needs today!