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Category Archives: Roof Inspection

Why Is Your Roof Missing Shingles and What to Do About It?

When it comes to a properly functioning roof, every shingle counts! Even one missing shingle can cause problems and costly roof repairs. You might experience roof leaks and heat loss, as well as decreased curb appeal.

To avoid such issues, the most important thing to do is conduct regular visual inspections of your roof to assess the situation. Missing shingles are the most obvious thing to spot, but also pay attention to exposed nails and falling shingle granules – you might find some around your house or in the gutters. 

So, why does this happen in the first place, and what’s the best thing you can do when faced with missing shingles? Continue reading to find out! 

 

Wrong Installation and Poor Maintenance Practices

Roof shingles are typically installed in a multilayered design so that they overlap. This way, the top shingle covers the seams of the shingle below, which minimizes the chances of leaking. Not following these and other best practices of installation, along with the shingle manufacturer’s instructions, will often result in missing shingles. 

A missing shingle will not immediately cause extensive damage, but it surely can spiral into severe exterior and interior problems. This is why it is very important to inspect and maintain your roof regularly. 

Make sure you call a roofing professional to do a roof check-up once a year. The roofer will notice shingles that are ready to be strengthened or replaced, as well as weak and loose nails that might cause shingles to fall. Having an annual inspection will keep your roof in top condition.

 

Weather Exposure and Storm Damages

Since you can’t control the weather, there isn’t much you can do to prevent shingles from going missing during bad weather. But what you can do is pay close attention to your roof after storms.

Strong winds may rip the shingles from the roof and blow them off, and they are among the most common causes of missing shingles. Hail, on the other hand, may leave cracks and bruises on shingles, making them weaker and eventually also causing them to fall off.

Extreme temperatures are another reason why shingles may eventually fall off the roof. Significant or sudden temperature differences can actually make your shingles expand and contract, causing cracks and loosening the nails that hold the shingles on the roof. And once those nails come loose, the shingles won’t last much longer either.

Preventative roof inspections will always help keep your shingles in top shape and firmly attached to the roof. Still, sometimes, even the highest-quality shingles won’t be able to stand strong against Mother Nature. So, in case a shingle does fall off, the best thing to do is to call your roofer ASAP and fix the damage before it becomes worse.

 

Old Age

Over time, and as your roof nears the end of its life expectancy, it inevitably becomes weaker and prone to more frequent damages and failures. For example, roofs older than 25 years are very likely to sustain increased damages and start losing shingles.

Some of the warning signs that your roof is nearing its end and might start losing shingles are:

  • Worn-off shingles that are losing surface granules
  • Shingles are starting to curl
  • Shingles are increasingly cracking

 

Along with these damages and missing shingles, roof leaks will inevitably develop – and more frequently than ever. So, to avoid the continued stress and costly repairs, the smartest thing to do in this case is to replace the entire roof with a new, quality one.

 

Do Missing Shingles Mean I Need a New Roof?

A few missing shingles do not necessarily mean you need a completely new roof right away. Sometimes, a roof repair will suffice, but other times, a roof replacement might be the only smart solution. In any case, consulting with a trusted local roofing contractor is the best first step.

Martin Exteriors offers a free roof inspection to assess the damage and recommend what roofing work needs to be done to keep you and your home safe. We will carefully replace missing shingles on your roof to maintain the value of your property, so get in touch with us and schedule your free roof inspection today!

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What Happens During a Commercial Roof Inspection?

Commercial roof inspections are usually no-obligation checkups that save time and money for both commercial roofers and business owners. During such a checkup, the roofer will check whether the roof poses a risk to people and the property and address minor roof problems and weak spots that may become prone to leaks and corrosion.

Here is what to expect during that process.

 

The Inspection Starts from the Inside

Contrary to what you might have expected, a commercial roof inspection starts from the inside of the building. The roofer will first start looking for water leaks and their point of entry. Estimating where the water is entering your building makes it easier to assess the situation on the roof.

 

Walking the Roof

After the roofer has inspected the inside of the building, they will move on to the roof to check for holes, cracks, ponding water, uplifted materials, etc. The walk starts from the sides of the building that have a higher chance of having problems and finishes in the middle of the roof.

 

Cleaning Debris in the Gutters and Downspouts

To be able to check the whole roof properly, the roofer will have to clean the debris that might have piled up on the roof and in the roof’s drainage system. Commercial roofing inspectors note a significant amount of drainage issues, such as leaks and congestion, which should be addressed before they create structural damage to the roof and the whole building.

 

Taking Samples

Your roofer might also take a core sample of your roof system to see what type of material it’s made out of. The sample will also show the level of saturation and moisture, as well as the age of the roof – older roofs might be suggested for roof replacement. The area where the sample had been taken will be immediately repaired not to cause additional problems.

 

Final Report Documented in Writing

The inspection report will include suggestions for any repairs, rework, or replacement required, a list and photos of the problems and damage found, and a schedule for follow-up work. It is best for you to go through the report with the contractor to see how long the suggested work will last and always ask for the price estimate of each segment of the work.

 

Schedule a Commercial Roof Inspection Once a Year

Commercial roof inspections need to be scheduled at least once a year. However, if you feel like there is a possibility that your roof has issues and poses a risk to the occupants, you should schedule the inspection right away.

Martin Exteriors offers a free commercial roofing inspection and maintains the highest industry standards when conducting roofing work. We are your number one commercial roofing contractor in Illinois that will fully protect you and your property, so contact us today!

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