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Take a walk around the exterior of your home. Do you notice anything amiss on your roof?
While your shingles may have looked great and stayed secure for years, the reality is that they aren’t totally fail-proof. Anything from a severe weather event to algae growth can cause them to deteriorate and even fall off.
If you have missing shingles, then it’s important to hire a roofing contractor to replace them immediately. Today, we’re sharing a few of the potential issues you could encounter if you delay.
1. Can Cause Water to Enter Your Home
Your shingles are the primary barrier between your roof and you’re ceiling. When they’re correctly installed and fully in place, then water will simply slide off them, keeping you nice and dry underneath. Most asphalt varieties feature a waterproof barrier underneath that adds an extra level of protection.
If a shingle is missing, then that barrier is missing, too. Before too long, you may begin to notice areas that look like damp spots on your ceiling. There may be sections where the paint has turned brown or started to become streaky.
These are signs that moisture is leaking from your roof into your home. You need to replace the missing shingles as soon as possible to prevent further issues.
2. Could Lead to Moisture in Attic and Sub-Roofing
If your attic is in the uppermost portion of your home, then it may show some of the earliest warning signs that shingles are missing.
Does this space feel especially humid or damp? If so, this could mean that outside moisture has started to penetrate your sub-roofing and will soon make its way into this storage space. When homeowners ignore this issue and allow it to go untreated, that excess moisture creates the perfect breeding ground for dangerous mold and mildew.
Don’t wait until you need to call a roof repair team and a mold specialist. Take care of the problem when you first notice it to save time and money down the road.
3. May Result in Higher Energy Bills
Your shingles do more than just add a decorative accent to your roof. They also keep your home cooler. As the sun hits them, they reflect those UV rays away from your property.
This prevents your attic from heating up too much in the summer and also helps regulate the temperature throughout the rest of your house. If you have a substantial number of shingles missing, then those upper floors will begin to feel a little warmer than usual. In the winter, the cold air can penetrate your roof and those spaces will feel too cold.
Both instances can cause your HVAC system to work overtime in response, which puts a strain on your home’s power. The longer those units run, the greater your bill will become.
4. Can Lower Property Value
Did you know that your roof is one of the first parts of your house that a home inspector will look at? If it’s in poor shape, then this can reflect negatively on your property value.
If you don’t plan to ever move or sell your home, then you might not think too much about this effect. However, it may become a problem for anyone who eventually inherits the property. If you’re are planning to sell down the road, then a prospective buyer may offer a lower price simply because the roof needs expensive repairs.
If you wait too long, then a few missing shingles could snowball into a costly, time-consuming problem. Addressing minor issues now can help you maintain the value of your home moving forward.
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5. Could Encourage Pest and Critter Infestations
If the rainwater can travel from your roof to your home, then tiny bugs, pests, and critters can, too. If you’ve noticed an uptick in the number of flying insects in your home, then missing shingles could be to blame.
Usually, this occurs when the ceiling in your attic becomes soft and damp where a shingle should be. As water collects in those spots, it weakens the roofing support system. Insects are drawn to the area due to the collecting water, and they can slip below your roof in those compromised spaces.
Adding new shingles where necessary can keep these unwanted intruders at bay. This way, your home can stay dry, comfortable, and pest-free.
6. Can Lower Home Insurance Payout
Your homeowner’s insurance policy may cover some repairs if a severe storm affects your home, or if water leaks into your interior for any reason. However, when it comes to your roof, they’ll want to see proof that you’ve taken care of it and stayed on top of your preventative maintenance.
Waiting too long to report missing or damaged shingles could mean accepting a lower payout when it’s time to make the repairs. Most insurance companies will perform property inspections every few years or so, and it’s important to ensure that your roof is in good shape before they visit.
Repair or Replace Missing Shingles Today
If you’ve noticed missing shingles on your roof, then it’s time to take action. Even if the issue seems small at first, it doesn’t take much for it to quickly become more severe. The sooner you repair or replace the shingles, the less likely it is that you’ll need to invest in major maintenance down the road.
Find a reliable roofing contractor in your local area, and request an inspection. These experts can solve the problem, install new shingles that match and restore the form and function of your roof.
Looking for more helpful home advice you can trust? We’ve got you covered. Be sure to check back here often for more informative guides!
