Can You Avoid Shingle Blow-off?

Shingle blow-off is a serious cause for concern, especially for Oklahoma homeowners who, in 2020 alone, saw 39 tornadoes. While severe storms happen rarely, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for them. After all, it only takes one particularly bad storm to leave homeowners scrambling for storm damage repair service. 

Most modern roofing shingles are designed to hold up against 110 to 130 mph winds without suffering any breakage. At these speeds, this means your roof could easily survive a Category 2 or 3 hurricane. Sometimes, however, there are gaps in the shingles that allow strong winds to lift them up. Eventually, these lifted shingles are gradually blown off, exposing the vulnerable underlayment below.

What Can Cause Shingle-Blow Off?

Strong winds are the usual culprits, but there are also other factors at play. For instance, the lack of regular roofing inspections and maintenance can allow minor problems to worsen enough for shingles to be blown away even by weak gusts. Old age is also a major factor. Roofs that are only a couple of years away from the end of their lifespan are more susceptible to frequent shingle blow-offs.

Can You Replace Blown-Off Shingles?

For one or two missing shingles, it’s fairly easy to contact your roofer for a patch-up job. However, you should first take into consideration the age of your roof. It may be more practical to simply replace an old roof than to schedule frequent repairs throughout the year.

Is Shingle Blow-Off Avoidable?

For the most part, the answer is yes. If your residential roofing system sees regular maintenance–about once a year–and is inspected after every major storm, you can minimize or even completely prevent shingles from being blown off.

Keep your roof safe against shingle blow-off problems with the help of our professionals at Lifestyle Home Improvement Roofing and Construction. Give us a call at (405) 485-9939 or fill out our contact form to schedule a roof inspection and request a free estimate today.