Why Missing Shingles Need Quick Repairs And An Overview Of How Repairs Are Done
It's probably a shock to look at your roof and see missing shingles. However, it's fairly common for strong winds to lift up shingles and toss them on the ground, especially if the shingles are old or damaged. Also, wildlife can tear off shingles or damage them to the point where the shingles are vulnerable to being ripped off in high winds. Replacing missing shingles is an essential roofing repair that you can't put off too long. Here's why you need quick repairs and how a roofer replaces missing shingles.
Why Shingles Should Be Replaced Quickly
If shingles are missing, then rain will fall directly on the underlayment and get it wet. While the underlayment might block the rain for a while, eventually the underlayment can rot and break apart. This allows rain to reach the deck under the shingles. When the deck has water damage, it has to be cut out and replaced, and that makes roof repairs more expensive.
It's important to replace the shingles even if you're expecting a long, dry spell. With the shingles missing, your roof is vulnerable to damage from curious squirrels, raccoons, birds, and other pests that may want to tear up the underlayment and try to get into your attic.
How A Roofer Replaces Missing Shingles
Replacing shingles is a fairly easy roofing repair, and if only a few shingles are missing, the work should go fairly quickly. First, the roofer has to find shingles that are a close match in color to the existing roof so they blend in with the rest of your roof. Then the pieces of old shingles are removed if there are any still present. This may involve removing the roofing nails that held the old shingles in place. If possible, the new shingles are put in place using the old nail holes; otherwise, the old holes need to be filled in so they won't leak.
Roofing shingles overlap each other, so it may be necessary to remove or lift nearby shingles so the new ones slide in place. As long as repairs are done before the underlayment and deck are damaged, the only work needed is to put on new shingles. If the underlayment or deck has water damage, the water damage may need to be repaired before the new shingles are added. This involves cutting out the damaged materials and replacing them with new, dry underlayment and decking.
If the shingles on your roof were ripped off during a storm and more storms are predicted over the next few days, you or a roofer may need to cover the damaged part of the roof until a roofer can make a visit to replace the missing shingles. Try to keep the rain out so the area stays as dry as possible and ready to cover with new shingles when the roofer arrives.
To learn more, contact a residential roofing contractor.
