The sight of it can horrify you. When you spot shingles missing from your roof, that’s your day ruined. You need to fix the problem immediately, or else there could soon be a leak in your roof. If you know rain is on the way, you should prioritize repairs.
Shingles can come off your roof for several reasons. They could be blown off in a storm, knocked by debris, or even disturbed by animals. Whatever the reason for missing shingles, speedy repairs are a must.
What should your next steps be if you notice missing shingles on your roof?
Checking for missing shingles
Are you confident you would spot a missing shingle right away? They can be tricky to see, therefore checking often is smart. Whip out binoculars to look closer at your roof from the ground. You should inspect your roof once a year, but remember to check after storms as well.
Start by assessing the damage and seeing how many shingles are missing. This will allow you to purchase the correct number of replacement shingles. Wriggle some shingles loose to check the damage if you need to.
Are you planning on climbing a ladder to look at your roof? Stay safe, and check your ladder is stable. Calling a professional if you need more confidence about what you’re doing is always a good idea.
Replacing missing shingles on your roof
Before you can replace shingles, you should remove damaged ones. When that’s out of the way, it’s time to put in new ones.
Just slide the shingle into place and then nail it down to secure it. If there’s a damaged area of several shingles, start at the top and work your way down. This might require temporarily removing some nails to ensure all your shingles overlap correctly.
Remember, you need to know where to place your nails. Find the location of the nail strip so that you can get it right.
Prevent missing shingles on your roof
Missing shingles are relatively easy to replace; however, wouldn’t it be even better if they didn’t get knocked off in the first place? Caring for your roof will help you prevent missing shingles due to storms and more.
The number one thing you can do is make sure your shingles are installed correctly. You should call a professional to complete it if you want them to stay put.
When to use a professional
You might be comfortable replacing missing shingles on roof surfaces yourself. You’ve done some work on your roof before, or you’re a dab hand at DIY. But only some feel so confident.
Using a professional roofer to replace your shingles is often best. You get the benefit of a professional working on your roof, and you can avoid amateur mistakes.
Remove any missing shingles as soon as possible to prevent leaks in your roof and associated issues.
