The Usual Culprits Behind Shingle Blow-Off

Missing or lifted shingles are signs your roof has blow-off issues. Dislodged or raised shingles need to be replaced as soon as possible. Otherwise, water may be able to infiltrate your roof through the gaps left behind. 

What are the usual culprits behind shingle blow-off? Bone Dry Roofing – West, your trusted roofer, lists them below: 

 

• Installation errors – Nails should be placed on the narrow strip on each roofing shingle. To ensure the nails are able to secure the shingles underneath, they should overlap with the top edge of the shingles below. Simple—but costly—installation errors such as incorrect nail placement can easily be avoided by vetting contractors before hiring them. 

• Too much roof overhang – The larger your roof’s overhang, the wider the surface on which wind can exert force, and the higher the risk of wind damage. To minimize the risk of damage along your roof’s edges, the end of roofing shingles should extend from the edge by  1 to 1.5 inches, or 0.5 to 0.75 inches if drip edge flashing was installed. 

• Advanced age – The older your roof gets, the weaker the adhesive keeping your roofing shingles in place becomes, and the more vulnerable your roof will be to shingle blow-off. If your asphalt shingle roof is more than 20 years old (the average lifespan of asphalt shingles), you should start planning a roof replacement as soon as possible. 

 

Important note: In addition to age, there are other factors that can make your roof more vulnerable to wind damage. These include the number of floors in your home (the higher your roof, the stronger the wind velocity and uplift, and the higher the risk of shingle blow-off), as well as underlying roof issues (for instance, dry rot on roof decking can cause the nails on shingles to pop). That’s why it’s important to have your roof routinely inspected. The sooner roofing issues are found and addressed, the better. 

 

Should You Repair or Replace Your Roof If It’s Suffered Shingle Blow-Off? 

 

We recommend replacing your entire roof if it’s past its estimated lifespan or if a large number of shingles have been dislodged. However, if only a few shingles were blown off, it makes more practical—and financial—sense to simply have your roof repaired. If you’re not sure what to do, it’s best to consult a local roofing contractor. 

 

Bone Dry Roofing – West offers a wide range of professional roofing services. Call (970) 364-7996 or fill out our contact form to schedule an inspection. We service Fort Collins, Colorado and surrounding communities.