If you notice missing shingles on your roof, there's no need to panic. Missing shingles isn’t an emergency, but you should still act quickly, especially during wet seasons. Your roof is a multilayered system designed to protect your home's structure and finishes from water damage.

If you ignore missing shingles, moisture can get into your home, leading to issues such as rot, mold, and costly water damage. Replacing missing shingles quickly can mean the difference between a minor roof repair and a total roof replacement.

How to Spot Missing Shingles

Locating missing shingles, before leaks set in, can save you time, money, and peace of mind. Here are several ways to spot them before they cause bigger issues.

Inspect Your Roof from the Ground

While some damage may be visible from ground level, the best way to check for roof damage is to get onto the roof and inspect it for any weak spots, rot, loose, or missing shingles that may result in leaks from melting snow. Keep in mind that walking on any roof should be kept to a minimum and performed by a professional to prevent shingles or tiles' damage. Scope your roof with binoculars for signs of missing shingles. Inspecting your roof from the ground helps prevent shingle damage and, most importantly, fall-related injuries. Scan your roof from every angle that it's safe to do so, including from streets, sidewalks, and neighbors' yards if you have permission to do so.

Check for Shingle Changes ‍

Systematically check each shingle following a horizontal or vertical line. A missing shingle often sticks out as a color change in your shingle pattern. While you're at it, look for shingles that are cracked, curled, or sagging or that aren't aligned with the others. These can all be signs of shingles or roof damage.

Review Your Roof for Damage after Storms ‍

Roof damage often happens because of extreme weather. Once it's safe to be outdoors, visually inspect your roof for damage. You can also survey the ground around your property to spot any shingles that may have blown off. Any visible signs of damage indicate you need to work on your roof before winter to avoid significant repairs later.

Look Inside Your Home for Leaks

Check inside your home for longer-term signs of missing shingles. Evidence of leaks in your attic or water stains on your interior ceilings or walls can indicate wider-spread water damage in your home. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, have a roofing professional inspect the area (both inside and outside) for damage.

Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection

The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends professional-level roof inspections twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Like routine car maintenance keeps repair costs down, roof inspections can help spot small concerns before they potentially become expensive problems.

How to Hire a Roofer

Once you spot missing shingles on your roof, the next step is hiring a professional to replace them. If you have warranties, you may also want to check whether those have any requirements. For example, all GAF roofing shingles, and qualifying accessories (the "GAF Products") come with the coverage provided by the GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty, and you don't need to do anything at all to get it.

How to Prepare for Roofing Repairs

Though every contractor is different, confirm certain details before signing any contracts. Here's how you can ensure you and your contractor are on the same page before work begins:

• Communicate clearly from the start; this will help prevent frustration and unexpected costs.
• Before making a deposit (if required), be sure you both agree on the quote and job details.
• Agree on the job's start date, plus a contingency plan if harsh weather forces a rain check. Ask your roofer if they'll install a temporary tarp to prevent water damage in the case of a delay.
• Read your quote carefully. Confirm approximate labor costs and the color, style, and brand of shingles that will be installed.
• Ask about anticipated material quantities and estimated roofing material costs (like flashing, roofing nails, etc.).
• Confirm whether the repair job includes cleanup costs and if the roofer will remove any debris.

When to Consider a Roof Replacement

Look at the big picture before replacing missing shingles. Consider your roof's age, any warranties on your roof system, the extent of the roof damage (both internally and externally), and whether the missing shingles is an isolated issue. Multiple missing shingles or frequent repairs could be a sign that you need a new roof.

National Contractors is GAF Master Elite certified with extensive training and licensing to get your roof repair(s) or replacement done correctly. We offer unsurpassed general construction services to community associations, condominiums, management companies, engineering firms, residential and commercial property managers.

Whether you are in the market for inspections and maintenance, skylights, siding, gutters, windows and doors, or a new roof, speaking with a trusted, award-winning industry leader like National Contractors, Inc. is an excellent way to make sure you’re protecting your investment.

We are a 24-year multi-chapter member of Community Associations Institute with staff that has earned the Educated Business Partner distinction. Hiring a CAI member ensures you are collaborating with a professional that understands the specific nature and unique challenges of community associations.

Article courtesy of GAF/Annie Crawford