You just came home from a long day at work, and the first thing you notice is a few shingles missing from your roof. Unfortunately, you can’t explain the cause. However, you must fix the issue quickly due to unpredictable weather.
This guide explains everything you need to know to replace missing shingles, specifically asphalt shingles.
How to Replace Missing Roof Shingles
- Take proper safety precautions
- Remove the nails affected shingles
- Remove remnants of the old shingle
- Install the new shingle
- Reseal the affected section
Why is My Roof Missing Shingles?
Missing shingles are often due to age, weather, and poor installation, though shingles can go missing for various other reasons.
1. Age-Related Reasons
Age is the main cause of missing roof shingles. For instance, as shingles age, the fasteners, especially roofing nails, become loose.
Loose fasteners leave the shingles at the mercy of the weather. It takes only a slight wind to blow away extremely loose shingles. Moreover, old shingles tend to shrink, curl, and crack. Thus, they’re easily blown off by light winds.
2. Winds and Storms
Storms and high winds can test even the most structurally sound roofs. This is especially true in areas with few trees and other windbreakers.
The pressure under the roof increases multifold while the pressure above it significantly reduces. Thus weak shingles are easily uprooted. Storms have the same effect.
3. Accidental Roof Damage
An excellent example of accidental roof damage is a falling tree branch puncturing a hole through the roof and taking with it a few shingles.
Similarly, an accidental gas explosion in the home can blow a hole through the roof, removing several shingles.
4. Poor Installation
The two most common issues here are over and underdriven fasteners. For instance, many DIYers compensate for shorter nail lengths by overdriving the nails.
You may underdrive longer nails to prevent sheathing damage. Cracks and loosely driven roofing nails leave shingles more susceptible to wind damage.
Why do Shingles Keep Falling Off My Roof?
If shingles keep falling off your roof, the roof may be too old. An old roof is weak. The shingles are light and cracked. Moreover, the fasteners are loose, and the OSB sheathing is likely rotten. Thus, shingles easily come off the sheathing.
Alternatively, the roof was poorly installed. A roofing inspection can help reveal the underlying issue.
Is it Normal for Shingles to Fall Off the Roof?
No, it’s unusual for roof shingles to fall off, especially in fair weather. So, you’re rightly worried if shingles are falling off your roof. Have you checked the age of the roof?
Aged roofs are weak, therefore, prone to missing shingles. If not, the roof was likely poorly installed. Lastly, a massive storm or high winds can blow off a few shingles or the entire roof.
Consequences of a Missing Shingle
How bad are missing shingles? Is it that bad? These are a few common questions we get from worried homeowners. But, unfortunately, it can be disastrous.
A missing or damaged shingle can cause multiple problems on the roof and down below. These include;
- Roof deck damage
- Ceiling damage
- Roof insulation damage
- Structural damages
- Water damage
In short, a few missing shingles in bad weather can leave you without a home and simultaneously damage your possessions. So, you may need to replace everything, including your clothes and furniture.
Most of these damages are very expensive to address. For instance, replacing a roof deck costs $300 to $600 per square foot. Meanwhile, ceiling repairs cost $150 to $3,000, with most owners paying about $875.
Will My Roof Leak if One Shingle is Missing?
Yes, the roof will most likely leak if it has one or more missing shingles. However, it mainly depends on the weather conditions. For example, if a roof shingle goes missing in the heart of winter or rainy weather, the roof will leak 100%.
However, leaks are unlikely during fair weather. Also, it depends on the quality of the decking and underlayment.
How Long can a Roof Go without Shingles?
A roof can go without shingles for 30 to 60 days on average. Beyond this point, the sun dries out the oils in the underlayment while rains wash away the protective surface. Rotting is also possible, as missing shingles leave the decking exposed to rain, snow, and moisture.
What’s the Best Temporary Fix for Missing Shingles
Covering the affected area (or the entire roof) with a waterproof tarp is the best way to protect a roof with missing shingles temporarily. Alternatively, you can patch the leak as you await professional repairs.
Remember that getting onto the roof is risky. So, take proper safety precautions when tarping or patching the roof.
How to Temporarily Cover a Leaky Roof
Temporarily covering your roof with a tarp is easy.
- Assess the damage
- Purchase enough tarping materials
- Unroll the tarp over the affected area, covering at least four adjacent shingles on each side of the leak.
- Secure the tap in place using wood planks
How to Patch a Leaky Roof
The easiest way to patch a roof with missing shingles is to use roof cement, silicone, and sealant bond to hold down a new shingle directly over the location of the missing shingle.
- Determine the number of missing shingles
- See if you have enough spare shingles. If not, go shopping.
- Carefully lift the surrounding shingles (don’t remove the fasteners)
- Slide the new shingle or shingles in place.
- Use roofing cement to attach the new shingle (or shingles)/
- Apply sealant (silicone sealant is the best) around the new shingle.
How to Replace Missing Roof Shingles
A temporary fix can prevent leaks for a few days or even months. However, you ultimately need to call a professional roofer to assess the damage and make the necessary repairs.
The replacement process is as follows;
Tools and Materials
- Flat pry bar
- Utility knife
- Roof cement
- Adhesive strips
- Nails (you need four roofing nails per shingle)
- Enough replacement shingles
Safety Considerations when Replacing Missing Shingles
The safety procedures when replacing missing shingles are similar to installing a new roof. Generally, you must;
- Follow the OSHA fall protection requirements
- Wear a fall-arrest system
- Tether yourself to the roof
- Wear safety equipment (safety goggles, protective helmet, etc.)
- Wear approved non-slip shoes
- Keep the work area neat and clean
- Work with a buddy to watch your back
- Always work in good weather, ideally on a cool day
How to Replace Missing Shingles: Step-by-Step Guide
Once ready, the following is a seven-step guide to safely and effectively replace missing roof shingles.
1. Break the Seal on the Target Shingle
The first step is to remove the old shingles. But to do that, you must break the adhesive strip holding them to adjacent shingles. A large hayfork is ideal for this type of job.
However, a prybar, claw bar, and clay hammer are just as good, especially when removing a few shingles.
Ensure to remove the sealant on all the shingles surrounding the damaged one. On three-tab shingle roofs, you must remove the first five tabs in the second row.
2. Remove the Exposed Nails
Removing the nails holding the shingle is easy once you’ve removed the adhesive strips. Slide the flat pry bar under the damaged shingle and gently lift the shingle about 45 degrees up.
Then withdraw the exposed nails. Be careful so you do not break the adjacent shingles. Then repeat for all sides of the target shingle until you’ve removed all the nails holding it.
3. Remove the Old Shingle
This process should be effortless after removing the sealant bond and nails holding the shingle. Grab the shingle with your hand and gently pull it out.
Alternatively, if only tiny bits of the missing shingle are left, pull out the remnants piece by piece until you clear all signs of the old shingle.
4. Install the New Shingle
Slide the new shingle directly where you removed the old one. If your shingles are backed with an adhesive strip, remove the strip, then gently push the shingle directly beneath the above shingle. Then check the alignment to confirm that the new shingle aligns with the rest of the roof.
5. Nail down the new shingle
Most shingles feature factory-cut holes for fasteners. Drive roofing nails into these holes to secure the new shingle to the decking, taking care not to under or overdrive the nails. You need four nails per shingle.
6. Seal the New Shingle
Lift the individual tabs and apply a one-inch layer of shingle cement around the edges. Then press down the edges to secure the tab in place. While at it, glue down the bottom of the shingles to ensure a secure bond.
7. Secure Loose Surrounding Shingles
Often, a missing shingle loosens a few surrounding shingles. This can happen during the blow-off or due to degradation in the affection area after a few shingles go missing.
Moreover, you may tamper with a few shingles when walking on the roof during the replacement process. Therefore, only get off the roof after securing all the loose shingles.
That’s all. You’ve successfully replaced damaged or missing shingles on your roof! Now you can enjoy a comfortable home without water leak worries.
How to Remove Asphalt Shingles without Damaging them
Slipping a flat prybar under the affected shingles and pressing down to pop out the roofing nails is the easiest way to remove asphalt shingles without damaging them. First, press down until the nails pop out about a quarter of an inch. Then remove the pry bar, press the shingle, and pull out the exposed nail.
Roof Repair Costs: How Much Does it Cost to Replace the Shingles on a Roof?
The average cost to replace damaged roof shingles is $992, including materials and labor. However, most homeowners pay between $350 and $1670. Beware that the prices of roofing materials are on the rise. So, the total cost can be 5% to 15% more than the indicated rates.
If you prefer to pay per square foot, shingle replacement costs $2.50 to $8.00.
DIY vs. Professional Roofer: Benefits of Hiring a Roofing Contractor
Professional roofing always triumphs. First, the risk of fall accidents is high when working on the roof. Yet, many DIYers lack the necessary fall arrest systems. This leaves you exposed to severe injuries.
Additionally, walking on the roof can cause more damage if you don’t watch your steps. Sadly, many DIYers don’t remember this while on the roof. Above all, DIY roofing may invalidate your roof warranty.
For these reasons alone, hiring a professional roofing contractor is better than fixing the problem yourself.
Replacing Missing Shingles on a Roof FAQs
Can you Replace Just a Few Shingles?
Yes, you can replace a few shingles on your roof. For instance, if some of your shingles are torn or cracked, you can replace the individual shingles and keep the rest of the roof. Similarly, you can replace individual missing shingles without touching the rest of the roof.
Can you Replace Just a Section of the Roof?
Yes. It makes the most sense to replace only a few roof sections under certain circumstances. For instance, you can replace a few damaged roof shingles around the chimney without interfering with the rest of the roof. Similarly, suppose a falling tree damages a small section of the roof. You can replace just that section rather than the whole roof.
How do you Replace a Shingle in the Middle of the Roof?
To replace shingles in the middle of the roof:
- Break the seal around the targeted shingles and the adjacent shingles.
- Remove the nails on the target shingles and surrounding shingles.
- Remove the old shingles.
- Insert the new shingles
- Nail down the new shingles
- Reseal the affected section
Can you Put a New Layer of Roofing on an Old One?
Yes, you can install a new roof over an old one. It’s more cost-effective and takes less time than uninstalling the old shingles before installing new ones. Moreover, two shingles layers form a stronger and more durable shield over your head. However, be warned that roofing over an existing roof makes maintenance a nightmare.
How do You Repair Asphalt Shingle Roofs Blown Off?
The easiest way to repair asphalt shingles blown off is to remove and replace them individually. Gently remove the damaged shingles and replace them with new ones. It’s easier and more cost-effective than replacing the whole roof. The only downside is that the patches are easily noticeable.
Summary
Though uncommon, you may return home to a few shingles missing from your roof. This is especially possible after storms or high winds. You must fix the problem immediately to avert further property damage. Fortunately, you can replace one or several damaged or missing shingles on the roof instead of replacing the whole roof.