As Greater Boston or North Shore residents, you know it is the right time of the year to check for tile issues. From the intense Massachusetts summer heat to wind-driven thunderstorms, a roof takes a beating and needs a repair or replacement from time to time. If you are unsure what residential roofing repair issues you need, here’s our advice on taking care of chipped, broken, or missing tiles.
What’s The Problem With Missing Shingles?
Shingles are systematically laid on the roof to prevent water and wind from entering your home. When shingles are broken or missing, it disrupts the protective seal that a proper residential roofing installation creates. One loose or missing tile will also allow strong winds to uproot other tiles and expose the underlying deck. Water will then flow in those gaps and cause major water damage.
It will also cause wet wood to rot. Shingles also protect your home from the intensity of UV rays and higher heating and cooling costs. Shingle granules also clog up your gutter system and cause a small water leak to turn into a major household flood. When one shingle is missing, there’s a good indication that one or more will soon follow. The sooner you call, the less damage a roof will have.
3 Issues That Will Make Missing Shingles Worse
There are three things as a homeowner that should concern you after noticing a missing shingle. They can also mean the difference between a repair and replacement concern: Mold, Rain, and Ice.
- Mold
A broken or missing tile that has not been repaired quickly will lead to water damage. Even in cooler air, mold will still grow under the roof, ventilation system, and attic within one or two days as heat rises. Mold will likely require remediation, and when serious, it will likely require a full residential roofing system replacement. We highly recommend an inspection before the winter.
- Rain
A missing tile doesn’t immediately begin to flood your home, but it is a major factor in destroying the underlying materials that are meant as a secondary measure to protect your home short-term while repairs are made. If left unrepaired, you’ll likely find you attic, framing, rafter, and joists wet and moldy after the first rain or snow. If the wood rots, it will cause foundation damage.
- Ice
While it is still early yet for snow, the fall is the best time to prepare for it. If your tiles are working properly, they’ll weather the snow and ice storm. If the tiles are wearing down or missing, ice dams can not only affect the remaining tiles but will likely melt during the day and refreeze at night. Ice dams will wreak havoc on a roof, including the roofing system, vents, and framing.
We highly advise taking precautions quickly when tiles are not functioning as they should. It also puts your entire home at risk for water damage, mold, or foundation damage when tiles are not protecting the layering beneath the rooftop. For a proactive approach to home care, call our office at (978) 977-3816 or visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NorthShoreRoofingMA.
