7 Problems You Can Expect When You Have Missing Roof Shingles

The average asphalt shingle roof lasts for about 20 years with regular care and maintenance. However, even the best-maintained roofs will develop issues throughout their lifespan.

The most common issue homeowners have to deal with is missing roof shingles. Though what makes those shingles go missing in the first place can range from poor installation to high winds, you always need to get your roof repaired quickly.

If you don’t, you could end up dealing with serious roofing problems. Here are some of the most common issues that result from missing shingles.

1. Increased Risk of Leaks

Your asphalt shingles act as a barrier between your home and the elements. When they’re in place and sit flush against the roofline, water and moisture slide off harmlessly.

However, when they’re damaged or missing, all that water can soak into the roofing materials beneath the shingles.

The waterproof membrane beneath the shingles can help reduce the risk of water soaking in, but it doesn’t eliminate it entirely. In fact, the more shingles that are missing, the more likely it is that your roof will develop leaks in the future.

The best thing you can do is get your roof inspected at least twice a year. This way, any minor damage caused by missing shingles will be easy to repair. Even better, you’ll be able to prevent most leaks from happening in the first place.

2. Higher Energy Bills

Did you know that your roof helps keep your energy bills low every month? It reflects the sun’s harmful UV rays and keeps them from heating your attic space up more than absolutely necessary.

When you have missing shingles, the sun can more easily heat up your attic and the upper floors of your home. Once this happens, your HVAC system will have to work overtime just to keep up with your thermostat’s setting. The more that system runs, the higher your energy bills will be each month.

Unfortunately, the problems won’t end once winter rolls around. Just as heat can get inside your attic through the bare underlayment, so can cold. Your home’s heating system will have to work harder to keep up.

Replacing missing shingles and fixing roof damage quickly is the best way to keep your energy bills low.

3. Damaged Property Value

Believe it or not, your roof is one of the things people notice first when driving past your property. When it’s in good condition, it can boost your property value and increase drive-up appeal on its own. However, when you have missing shingles, your property value can plummet.

When buyers look at your property, they want your home to be in great condition. If they notice roof damage, like missing shingles, they’ll start to worry about leaks and hidden issues in your home.

Ultimately, this can make it harder to sell your property and could end up discouraging buyers from even wanting to tour your home in the first place.

Fixing missing roof shingles will help boost your property value and makes it much easier to attract a buyer willing to pay your asking price.

4. Excess Moisture in Attic

Anytime your shingles go missing or get damaged, there’s a risk that moisture will penetrate into your attic space and sub-roofing. Once this happens, that moisture will collect inside the rafters and insulation.

The longer that moisture gets to sit and collect, the more likely it is that your attic will develop a mold and mildew problem.

Mold poses numerous health risks and if left untreated can spread throughout the rest of your home. Once it does, you’ll need to hire an experienced professional to get rid of the mold. Worse, you’ll likely need to replace the insulation in your attic to repair the damage caused by the moisture.

Keeping your shingles in good condition and replacing missing shingles as soon as you notice the damage will keep excess moisture from becoming a problem.

5. Structural Damage to the Rest of Your Home

A leaking roof doesn’t just cause problems to the roof and attic space. It can do serious damage to the rest of your home. The longer the leaks persist, the more they can spread throughout your house.

Water can then soak into your sheetrock, threaten your electrical wiring, and even pool around your foundation. Those issues put the safety and health of your family at risk if left unrepaired.

Taking care of missing shingles quickly and hiring a roofer to replace them as soon as you notice they’re gone is the best way to prevent structural damage to your home.

6. Pest Infestations

Missing shingles don’t just introduce your home to increased water damage risk. They also increase the risk of pest and insect infestations.

Those missing shingles create easy access points for water to collect and weaken the support structure of the roof itself. Insects can then slip inside your attic through those weakened spots and spread throughout your house.

When you replace missing shingles and address roof damage quickly, you’ll be able to decrease the risk of insect infestations and keep your home in good shape for longer.

7. More Expensive Future Repairs

The longer you leave bare patches on your roof, the more likely your home is to experience serious structural damage in the future. Leaving those missing shingles unrepaired just means you’ll have to pay more money to fix the damage in the future.

The longer the damage sits, the more significant the repairs will be, and the more you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket. If you’re worried about sticking to a maintenance budget, take care of those missing shingles as quickly as possible.

Watch for Missing Roof Shingles Often

Early detection is the best way to deal with missing roof shingles on your property. Get in the habit of walking around your home at least once a month.

Look for any missing shingles along the entire roofline. If you notice anything out of place, call your roofer immediately and schedule an inspection. They’ll make sure the damage gets repaired quickly and properly.

If you’ve noticed missing or loose shingles at your home, don’t wait. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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