Roof Repair and New shingle install
As the first layer of protection on a roof, shingles bear the brunt of storm damage, the sun’s rays, strong winds and other types of inclement weather. Consequently, shingles tend to get damaged, dislocated or blown off from time to time. A roofing professional can help a homeowner decide whether to perform a few repairs or opt for new shingle installations.
Occasionally dislocated or blown off shingles from high winds or severe storms can easily be replaced or reattached, as long as the rest of the roof is in good shape. However, it’s recommended that homeowners have their roof fully inspected if shingles are dislodged or missing throughout the entire roof surface to confirm the integrity of the roof structure.
Curling vs clawing roof shingles
Curling or clawing shingles can be caused by regular exposure to excessive heat. Older shingles are especially susceptible to this type of damage. If nearly all shingles on a roof are curled or clawed, those shingles are likely to become brittle or highly susceptible to breakage, so replacement is typically the better option in this scenario.
Missing granules and bare spots, meanwhile, are signs of worn shingles. The lack of an eavestrough or a poorly placed downspout can also cause granules to be washed away as water cascades over a roof or accumulates due to poor drainage. Granules give shingles the ability to reflect heat.
Roof Shingle Replacement
As granules are lost, shingles tend to rapidly decay and age. If such damage is widespread throughout the roof, shingle replacement will become necessary. If left unattended, broken and missing shingles can weaken the overall structure of a roof. When damage is localized to specific sections of the roof from wind or storm damage, repairs or the replacement of the missing shingles can usually correct the problem.
A poorly installed underlayment often results in buckling shingles. If this is the case, shingles will likely need to be replaced after the underlying roof structure is repaired, with the only exception being damage that’s relegated to one section of the roof only. In these situations, only shingles in the affected area will need to replaced once the underlying damage is repaired.
Professional roofing
Damaged flashing around rakes, wall details, skylights, vents, valleys, chimneys and eaves can affect nearby shingles, often resulting in lifting. If the shingles are in otherwise good shape, reattachment is possible once the damaged flashing is fixed.
During an inspection, a roofing professional will also look at related conditions likely to affect the quality of the shingles, such as damage to underlying surfaces as evidenced by sagging portions of the roof. Keep in mind that today’s shingles are designed to be more durable. However, homeowners still need to be observant when it comes to spotting blow offs and other signs of potential issues to optimize the lifespan of their roof.
