Roofs shouldn’t go without shingles for more than a day or two. Gaps expose your roof to leaks, mold, and structural damage by allowing water to seep beneath the surface. Even one damaged or missing shingle can weaken protective layers, especially around seams or low points where water tends to pool up. If you see curling edges on shingles, granule loss, ceiling stains, and shingle debris in gutters, it’s a sign that it’s time to call a roofer for help.
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One of the most common roofing problems homeowners struggle with is missing or partially torn-off shingles. This tends to happen more often on older roofs with old, dried-out materials, but it can also happen on newer roofs after extreme weather or impact damage.
People often ask how long a roof can go with gaps like these. The short answer is not very long. Even a few days of exposure is enough to cause deterioration.
Below, you’ll learn why shingles go missing, why it’s such a big deal, how to tell if your roof needs to be repaired, and how to stop minor damage from turning into a major disaster.
First, shingles don’t last as long as they used to thanks to changes in the way they’re formulated and manufactured. You’re more likely to lose them now than you would have been 40 or 50 years ago.
Other top causes include:
Sometimes, it’s also just life: birds, squirrels, or even ambitious kids with bouncy balls can all do more harm than you might expect. Everything is cumulative, so it all still adds up.
Think of your roof like a suit of armor for your home: one hole or chink is all it takes for the protection to stop. As soon as it rains or there’s moisture in the air, it will start to seep down under neighboring shingles.
This is a big deal for a few reasons:
When you aren’t missing shingles, water typically moves down the incline, into your gutters, and onto the ground. Gaps interrupt that path and send it down into sensitive areas instead.
There’s no fixed rule for how long it takes for breakdowns to happen because the speed depends on everything from the size of the gap to your local climate. If you’re in an area that sees a lot of heavy rain, hurricanes, ice, snow, or storms, it will get worse faster.
The chain of trouble starts from day one:
If enough time goes by, the entire structure of your roof can start to weaken. This is when you’ll start to notice leaks down deeper into your home, sagging ceilings, or even a bowed roof.
When shingles are missing or badly damaged, replacing them is usually the only option. But treatments like Roof Maxx can help put this off by restoring the condition of your current shingles and extending their usable lifespan for years to come.
Roof Maxx isn’t a coating or even a paint that sits on top of your roof. It’s a restoration solution made from all-natural, plant-based oils also found in Goodyear’s Eagle Enforcer All-Weather Tires and Skechers Sneakers. It isn’t a magic fix for missing shingles, but it might prevent them from falling off in the first place.
The way it works is based on real science:
Our all-natural solution is formulated with soy-based oils that can effectively replace those oils and make your shingles flexible again. That means you’re less likely to lose them! Find out how it works.
You can’t always spot roof trouble from the ground, especially if you aren’t a pro yourself or don’t really know what you’re looking for. The diagram below will help you spot the most common warning signs.
The best thing you can do when you discover missing shingles is to act quickly. It makes more sense to pay a little money now to replace them than to need early replacement later on!
If for some reason you can’t fix the problem right away, it is possible to have someone place a temporary tarp over the area to keep out rain and debris. We don’t recommend handling this on your own because you might unintentionally cause more shingle damage in the process.
Calling in an experienced pro will always be the best way to ensure the area is repaired right. They can also look at the rest of the roof to make sure you don’t have other issues at the same time.
You know now that your roof should never go without shingles for any length of time. What’s even more important is doing everything you can to keep it in good condition so they don’t come off in the first place. Regular inspections are a great first step, but don’t forget about Roof Maxx.
Our eco-friendly roof restoration solution boosts shingle flexibility in a big way when it’s applied at the right time. It costs up to 80% less than a total replacement, can be applied every five years, and can extend the life of your roof by up to 15 years. Get a free quote now to learn more.
With our five-year, transferable warranty, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that your roof and entire home are protected.
