How Much Damage Can One Missing Shingle Really Cause?
There are many ways damage can happen to a roof and gutters, such as wind roof damage, hail damage, and damage from blowing debris, especially trees and branches.
Living in East Texas, chances are you’ll sustain storm harm to your roof at some point.
East Texas gets some big storms that produce high winds, massive rain storms, hail, and even tornadoes. It’s not uncommon for the piney woods region to get hit with leftover bits of hurricane heading inland, and those storms can be powerful.
Local roofing companies in Texas such as Steele Roofing in Tyler and Longview, Texas offer a range of emergency roof repair options such as emergency roof tarping, storm damage roof inspections, roof cleaning, and roof damage repair.
When it comes to big storms, major roof damage can occur to your roof shingles, which might be severe enough that you even need a roof replacement.
A local roofing company can give you everything from roof tarping services, to storm restoration services, to roof repair services. And, if necessary, provide you with options and estimates for the cost of a new roof.
It’s a good idea to have a connection with a local roofer, because when a big storm comes through and multiple homes in one area sustain damage to their homes and roofs, roofing contractors are in high demand, and you might find yourself on a waiting list.
But What If There’s Only One Shingle Missing?
How much damage can one missing shingle cause?
The short answer: A lot.
Your roof is an interconnected unit that works cohesively to protect the rest of your home’s structure from the elements. If you’re missing a shingle and you develop a roof leak, the problem can quickly grow larger and worse until you’re in need of an East Texas roofing company and professional roof inspection.
Once water begins working its way through the shingle seam and into the underlayment and, if the shingle isn’t fixed and moisture continues to gain access to this part of your roof, it might grow mold and mildew, causing the wood to rot. This rot can cause major structural damage if left unchecked. Any rotten sections will need to be replaced and that can end up being difficult and expensive, as well as messy.
Mold and Mildew from Missing Shingles
Mold and mildew growth because of the accumulation of water due to a missing shingle can cause more than just problems with the structure of your ceiling/attic. They can also be dangerous to the health of those living in the house. This is especially true of people with respiratory illnesses or compromised immune systems.
If you suspect there is mold/mildew in your ceiling or walls it’s important to contact a professional to perform an inspection and get the problem handled as soon as possible so the mold and mildew don’t continue to spread and grow.
Mold, mildew, and water stains can also cause serious aesthetic damage to your ceilings, walls, windowsills, molding, etc.
Act Fast on a Missing Shingle
If you notice a missing shingle, don’t wait until the next big storm to see if there’s a roof leak. Have a professional inspect the area and replace the missing shingle as soon as possible.
There are many reasons you might not notice a missing shingle, which is why it’s important to schedule regular seasonal roof maintenance, cleaning, and inspections from a professional local roofer.
If a missing shingle goes unnoticed for a prolonged period of time, especially during East Texas’ rainy months, you might be accumulating major roof and structural damage from water that could go unnoticed until you have major damage to your home and roof.
Prevention Is More Affordable Than Repair
It’s significantly less expensive to have a professional roof inspection and have any missing shingles fixed than it is to discover a major issue with your roof after the damage has been left to grow and spread. Replacing shingles is much easier than attempting to repair sections of your home’s roof and structure.
It’s Not Just Water—UV Damage Counts Too
Water damage is not the only way a missing shingle could cause problems with your roof.
Beneath the top layer of shingles is another protective layer. Once the top layer of shingles has been breached, the next layer will be able to hold out temporarily, but prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and damaging UV rays can compromise the shingle’s structural integrity and cause it to fail as a protective barrier against the elements and all that the next big East Texas storm throws at your home.
Call a Professional Roofer
While replacing a missing shingle may seem simple, if you don’t absolutely know what you’re doing it’s important you leave the roof repairs and shingle replacements to professional, experienced roofers.
Contact your local East Texas roofer today and schedule your regular maintenance so you know your roof is in the best shape possible.
