Skip to Content Top

Shingle Blow-Off: Why and How?

Roof replacement
|

Like siding and other exterior parts of your home, your roof is constantly exposed to the elements. Your roof, in particular, needs constant maintenance and inspection so it can fully live out its service life. Most roofing shingles have a wind rating of 110 to 130 mph, so they’re expected to perform even when battered by very strong gusts of wind.  If your shingles are lifted or blown off during a period where there are no storms or meteorological phenomena, then there might be some problems with your roofing materials. In this post, roofing experts from VillWell Builders, LLC share why and how this could have happened. 

Bad Nailing Pattern

Roofing shingles are systematically positioned and installed to provide optimal protection. There’s a narrow strip on them that is identified for proper nail placement. If they are installed correctly, the overlapping shingle will catch the top part of the shingle under it, which makes both the shingles more stable and durable. However, if the shingles are improperly nailed and placed too high, they won’t catch each other’s top side, waste the nails (which should be going into two shingles at once) and make the shingles more susceptible to blow offs and lifting.

End of Service Life

Shingles are very hardy and can last for lots of years. Three-tab shingles can last up to 10-15 years while architectural shingles can last up to 20-25 years if they’re well-maintained, inspected and properly taken care of when damaged. But everything is subject to wear and tear, and the adhesive material on the shingles eventually loses adhesion over time, making them susceptible to lifting and blow off. When this happens, a full roofing replacement is more appropriate (while you’re at it, renovate your whole property with adeck and additions too, to save up on overall costs and scheduling).

Overhang and Unseen Roof Damage

Optimally, the end of shingles should hang over the edge of your roof by one to 1.5 inches (0.5 to 0.75 if you have drip edge flashing installed). If there’s too much overhang on your roof, these shingles are susceptible to lifting and getting blown off. Additionally, loose shingles are a sign of unseen roof damage underneath, specifically to the deck. The deck is composed of OSB boards, plywood sheathing, corrugated metal, or other durable materials that shingles can be attached to while remaining durable and resilient against external elements.

Need a reliable contractor for your kitchen and bathroom remodeling? VillWell Builders, LLC is the team for you! For over 15 years, our team has been helping homeowners and business owners bring their properties to life, and we are proudly GAF, LEAD and EPA-certified, with workmanship that is worth your trust. For any inquiries, you can reach us at (475) 271-1242 or fill out our contact form to request an estimate. We serve clients and homeowners in the state of Connecticut.

The post Shingle Blow-Off: Why and How? appeared first on Villwell Builders, LLC.