Short answer
If shingles blew off, stay off the roof and check from the ground. Look for bare spots where you can see the black paper or the wood. Check the attic for daylight or wet spots, and put a bucket under any drip. Keep one fallen shingle for the roofer, take photos with the date, and get the spots repaired before the next rain.
Safety first
Do not climb on the roof to nail shingles back: a wind-damaged roof is slick and loose shingles slide out from under your feet. Wear shoes in the yard: roofing nails hide in the grass.
What to do when the wind takes your shingles
1The wind rips shingles off the roof
Strong gusts lift the edges and the shingles tear off. They often land in the yard or the street.
Read all the steps
- The wind rips shingles off the roof. Strong gusts lift the edges and the shingles tear off. They often land in the yard or the street.
- Pick up the pieces, and mind the nails. Wear gloves and shoes. Keep one shingle: the roofer can match the brand and color. Look for roofing nails in the grass.
- Find the bare spots from the ground. With binoculars, look for patches where the paper or the wood shows, and for shingles that are lifted or creased.
- Check the attic for daylight or drips. With a flashlight, look under the bare spots. Daylight or wet wood means rain can get in. Put a bucket under any drip.
- Leave the nailing to a roofer. Do not climb up with a hammer. A roofer replaces the shingles and seals the ones around them, often in one visit.
- Call a roofer before the next rain Especially if: you can see the wood or the black paper under the shingles.
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Why shingles blow off
- The seal strip under each shingle has weakened with age or heat, so the wind can lift it.
- The nails were placed too high, or there were too few, when the roof was installed.
- The roof edges and corners catch the most wind, so they lose shingles first.
- One missing shingle lets the wind get under the next ones, so a small spot can grow in the next storm.
Repair or a new roof?
A few missing shingles on a roof in good shape are usually a simple repair. If shingles keep blowing off or crack when they bend, or the roof is near the end of its life, ask if a repair is still worth it. Ask for the answer in writing, with photos.
When to call a roofer
- You can see the wood or the black paper under the shingles.
- There is daylight or a drip in the attic.
- Shingles blew off in more than one place, or a whole strip came off.
- Rain is in the forecast and the spot is still bare.
Frequently asked questions
Is it OK to have a few shingles missing?
Not for long. Even one missing shingle lets rain reach the paper and the wood, and lets the wind lift the next shingles. Get it repaired before the next storm.
Can a roof leak from one missing shingle?
Yes. The paper under it is only a backup, and it tears or wears out in the sun. Then water can reach the wood and the ceiling.
Does insurance cover shingles blown off by wind?
Often, when a storm caused it. Take photos with the date, keep a fallen shingle and call your insurer. Damage from old age usually is not covered.
Can I replace missing shingles myself?
It is a job for a roofer. You would have to work on the roof, and new shingles have to be slid under the old ones and nailed without breaking them.
How fast should missing shingles be replaced?
Before the next rain if you can. If that is not possible, ask a roofer for a temporary tarp over the spot.
Why do my shingles keep blowing off?
Usually the seal strips have weakened with age, or the nails were placed badly. A roofer can tell you if the roof can be fixed or needs replacing.