Florida Certified Roofing Contractor CCC 1334537
Why did a few shingles blow off while the rest of the roof looks fine?
A straight answer from a Florida certified roofing contractor — then what you can check yourself and when to call. Free quote: (954) 775-8990.
Wind does not hit a roof evenly. It lifts the shingles that are weakest or most exposed first: ones whose sealant strip has let go, ones nailed poorly, and ones along the edges, corners and ridge where uplift is strongest. The rest of the roof looks fine because those shingles were better held down.
The nuance is that the shingles still in place may not be as secure as they look. If the wind found a few unsealed or under-nailed shingles, the same condition can exist elsewhere on the roof, just not yet tested by a strong enough gust.
Why it happens
Asphalt shingles are held down by a factory sealant strip that bonds each shingle to the one below, plus the nails. Heat, UV and dust can weaken that bond over time, and Florida's long hot season ages asphalt faster than in cooler climates. A shingle that has lost its seal depends on its nails alone, and a strong gust can then fold it back and tear it away.
Installation matters too. Nails driven too high, driven crooked, not driven flush, or too few per shingle give the wind something to work with. Shingles can also fail to seal if they were installed in cool or dirty conditions. Salt air near the coast can corrode fasteners and metal edge flashing, and weak drip edge lets wind get under the first course.
Location on the roof explains most of the pattern. Edges, rakes, corners, ridges and areas near roof-level obstructions see higher uplift pressure. Inadequate attic ventilation can also bake shingles from underneath and shorten their life. Once one shingle lifts, its neighbors lose some of their protection, so damage can spread over several storms.
What you can check yourself
Look from the ground
Use binoculars to scan the roof from several angles. Note whether the missing shingles are along the edges, at the ridge or in the field, and whether any nearby shingles look lifted, curled or creased. Stay off the roof and the ladder.
Inspect a fallen shingle
If you find one in the yard, look at its back. A clean sealant strip with no debris or torn mat suggests it never bonded. Nail holes torn through the shingle suggest high or weak nailing.
Check the attic
With a flashlight, look at the underside of the deck below the damaged area for daylight, dark stains, damp insulation or a musty smell. Those point to water getting in.
Look at ceilings and gutters
Check ceilings below that part of the roof for new stains or soft spots. Heavy shingle granules in the gutters or downspouts can mean the shingles are aging out.
Photograph everything
Take dated photos of the roof from the ground, the missing area and any fallen shingles. They help a roofer assess the damage and are useful for your own records.
When to call a pro
Call a roofer if you see exposed underlayment or deck, ceiling stains, daylight in the attic, or more shingles lifting after each storm. Missing shingles are not always a repair-only problem. If the surrounding shingles are unsealed or brittle, patching one spot may not hold. A roofer can tell the difference by inspecting the roof properly.
On the rules: "Roofing work in Florida legally requires a licensed roofing contractor and generally a permit from the local building department; a contractor's license is verified on the Florida DBPR website." The amount of roof being repaired can also matter. In the words of the rule: "Florida's 25% roof rule (Florida Building Code, Existing Building volume, section 706.1.1): when more than 25% of a roof or roof section is repaired, replaced or recovered in any 12-month period, the entire roof or section has to be brought up to current code." It also says: "How it is applied can vary, so verify with your city or county building department."
We offer a free estimate and a written flat rate quote that says what is included. Call (954) 775-8990 or use the estimate form on this page.
What a pro will do
- Inspect the whole roofA roofer checks the missing area and the shingles around it for sealing, nailing, creasing and age, so the repair fits the actual condition of the roof.
- Check the deck and edgesExposed areas get a look at the deck, fascia, drip edge and flashing. Rotten plywood and fascia replacement is included in our scope when it is found.
- Repair or replaceDepending on what is found, that means correctly nailed and sealed replacement shingles, or a full tear-off to the deck with starter strip, ridge cap, drip edge, valley detailing and ventilation.
- Handle the permit and cleanupWe pull permits under our own license, schedule and pass inspections, and close out the permit. Cleanup includes a magnet sweep.
Related questions
- Can I just replace the missing shingles myself?
- A repair involves working on the roof, and the new shingles have to be nailed and sealed properly or they can blow off too. Check with your local building department about permit requirements before any repair. We can inspect and quote it for you.
- Do replacement shingles need to be approved products?
- Products are installed per their approval. As the rule reads: "Miami-Dade and Broward are Florida's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. Roofing products used there need a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) for that use; elsewhere in Florida they need a Florida Product Approval (or local approval)."
- Will the wind damage get worse if I wait?
- It can. Exposed underlayment or deck lets rain in, and neighboring shingles lose protection and can lift in the next storm. A temporary cover from a professional can limit the exposure until a proper repair.
- What affects the cost of fixing blown-off shingles?
- The main factors are how much of the roof is affected, access and roof pitch, the shingle material, permit requirements, and what is found under the shingles once they are removed. We give a free written quote that says what is included.
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