Posted by Bealing Roofing Comments Off on Will a Roof Leak without Shingles? Roofing in Hanover, PA, Uncategorized

A storm has just blown through your area. You go outside to see how things look, and you notice a few shingles on your lawn. It’s only one or two shingles, right? What could be the harm? However, you are probably asking yourself, will a roof leak without shingles? 

Look for missing shingles

The first thing to understand is that missing shingles can happen. The key is what action you take after discovering that you have a missing shingle or shingles. Water damage is one of the most common issues you can find with a roof. The most common entryway for water to penetrate is? You guessed it…missing shingles. Replacing a missing shingle and sealing the area from a potential leak should be a high priority. Addressing this possible entryway for water can save you some much larger expenses down the road from interior water damage. 

Gather loose shingles

If you find a shingle or shingles in your yard, gather them up and keep them safe. There are a few things to keep in mind. First, the felt paper under the shingles will help keep any leaks at bay, at least temporarily. This is not a long-term solution, however. If you do have shingles in your yard, gather them up and keep them in a safe location. There is a pretty good chance that a roofing contractor can use them to, at minimum, do an emergency repair. This repair will include asphalt roofing cement to hold the shingle in place. If the shingle has curled, a nail can be driven through the surface and roofing cement put over the nail head to prevent leaks. 

Inspect your roof

This type of repair should be considered temporary only. While you have a roofing contractor on site, have them conduct a roof inspection, particularly if you have an older roof. During this roof inspection, the contractor can check for additional storm damage, such as that caused during a hailstorm. They will also check for additional cracked or loose shingles. The good thing here is that if the roofing contractor can prove storm damage, such as hail, most home insurance companies will pay to have your roof replaced. A trustworthy local roofing company will know the steps to follow to at least have your situation reviewed by your insurance company. 

For these reasons alone, hiring a local roofing contractor to complete any roof repairs you may have is a wise decision. They have the expertise to identify any potential future issues. Local contractors also have a reputation to uphold and cover their work with warranties. Plus, climbing on a roof is not for the average homeowner.

Will your roof leak with missing shingles? The short answer is yes; at some point, it will. Your best bet is to address the issue now before more extensive damage occurs. If you notice that you have missing shingles, give the roofing pros at Bealing, Roofing & Exteriors, Inc. a call. We have the expertise to repair your roof and give you recommendations on what the next steps should be.