Missing shingle repair means replacing the shingles that have blown off or broken and re-sealing the ones around them. It’s usually one of the faster, more affordable roofing repairs, provided the underlayment and decking haven’t been damaged.
Why shingles go missing
- Wind. Strong gusts get under a shingle edge, break the sealant bond and rip it away, particularly along the ridge, eaves and rakes.
- Age. Shingles lose flexibility and granules over time. Brittle ones crack and slide off.
- Failed adhesion. The factory sealant strip can fail, especially if shingles were installed in cold or dirty conditions.
- Fasteners. Nails that are too high, too few or driven crooked leave shingles vulnerable to wind.
- Impact. Branches and flying debris can crack or dislodge shingles.
How to spot the problem from the ground
You don’t need to climb up. Look at your roof in daylight from several angles, ideally with binoculars. Dark patches or exposed tar paper, shingle pieces in the yard or gutters, and curled or lifting edges are all clues. A line of missing shingles running along the ridge usually means wind damage to the ridge cap rather than the field of the roof.
What a repair involves
- Inspect around the gapThe roofer checks nearby shingles for loose seals, cracks and nail problems, since damage rarely stops at the one missing piece.
- Check the underlayment and deckIf the felt is torn or the wood is wet, those are repaired before new shingles go on.
- Install matching shinglesNew shingles are slid into place and nailed according to manufacturer spec.
- Seal and tidyRoofing cement or hand-sealing locks the tabs down, and debris is cleaned up.
The matching problem
Color and profile matter more than people expect. Shingles weather and fade, so brand-new replacements can look slightly different from the rest of the roof, and discontinued styles can be hard to find. A roofer can often source a close match, or advise whether the roof is old enough that a bigger repair makes sense. If that conversation leads toward a larger scope, see the discussion in storm damage roof repair.
Can a missing shingle wait?
Not usually through the rainy season. A roof with a few exposed spots may hold for a while, but wind-driven rain and a worn underlayment will find the gap, and what began as a small repair may need decking and insulation replaced. If you’ve noticed missing shingles and rain is in the forecast, a short-term cover from roof tarping or a prompt visit is better than waiting.
To see how the whole process works from first call to completed repair, our overview of roofers who handle emergency leaks in Walnut Creek walks through it. How wind damage plays out across multi-unit buildings is covered on the Homestead page.
Missing shingle questions
How many missing shingles can be repaired?
A roofer can repair a handful or dozens. When damage covers large areas of the roof or the roof is near the end of its life, replacement may be a better value.
Will my roof leak if only one shingle is gone?
Possibly. The underlayment beneath may hold for a time, but it isn’t meant as a long-term water barrier. Exposed nails and cracked decking can let moisture in.
Can I use a tube of roofing cement to stick them down?
Sealant can work as a temporary measure on a ground-accessible spot, but getting on the roof is risky and cement alone rarely fixes the cause. Have a professional look.
Is missing shingle repair covered by insurance?
Wind damage is often covered, but the deductible may exceed the cost of a small repair. Ask your insurer and compare.
Related services
Shingles missing or lifting?
Call to be connected with an independent roofer who can repair them before the next storm.