Assessing The Risk of a Roof Leak With One Missing Shingle


Will a Roof Leak With One Shingle Missing? (Blog Cover)

You almost didn’t notice it; it’s just one missing shingle, so you drive off to work as usual. But as you go through your day, that single missing shingle is nagging you from the back of your mind, and you ask yourself: “Will a roof leak with one missing shingle?”

No one wants to find themselves in the above scenario, but the hypothetical homeowner/commuter/worker who serves as its main character asks a fundamental question. You may be able to relate to this fictional character and have asked yourself the same problem. 


Key Takeaway

A roof will leak with one missing shingle if that shingle was sitting above a seam. If the shingle was not sitting above a seam, it probably won’t leak (though it should still be fixed).



Scenarios Where Shingles Are Missing

You should never ignore a missing shingle because one humble wayward shingle could spell big trouble for your roof.


Let’s look at two more scenarios that would cause concern:


The Shingle Was Sitting Above a Seam

If you are seeing a single shingle missing from your roof, you are dealing with a 3-tab asphalt shingle. Contractors install 3-tab shingles side-by-side, starting from the edge of the roof, while the subsequent upper layers are installed side-by-side but staggered above the lower level to cover up the seams.

The chances of a leak will depend on the placement of that missing shingle. If the shingle was sitting above one of these seams, you will most likely experience a leak. 

While these seams may be minute, water will find its way into any gap on your roofline. You should still understand that the initial days after you notice that there’s a shingle missing from your roof could be deceptive. 

In this situation, a roof will not begin to leak immediately. With asphalt roofing shingles, there will be a layer of roofing felt underneath the shingles. Roofing felt is installed as a backup if any leakage occurs in your roof’s first layer of defense (your shingles). 

But it’s also essential to know that roofing felt is exactly what it sounds like: a sheet of felt paper. If you think this layer of felt will protect your home for a very long, you may be in for a rude awakening. 

An exposed felt paper might be able to hold up for a couple of months in dry conditions. But a couple of days of rain will make short work of it. That’s why just because you don’t see any leaks a few days after a shingle tab has blown off doesn’t mean that a leak isn’t coming.


The Shingle Was NOT Sitting Above a Seam

Maybe your tab was not sitting atop a seam. In this case, your roof is still fairly secure, and you won’t experience a roof leak. But that doesn’t mean you can ignore the problem completely.

It’s best to replace the shingle as soon as possible because the lower exposed portion won’t survive extended exposure to the elements. 3-tab shingles are coated with asphalt to help make them waterproof.

The tab’s lower portions contain more protective granules than the upper part, which has a shorter shelf life when suddenly exposed. The seam maintains coverage, but the shingle’s upper tab’s integrity will soon be compromised and fail. 

The upper shingle portion’s granules will wash away quicker in the rain and become more brittle under UV radiation. 


Cost to Replace Missing Shingles

Like any roofing project, shingle replacement will depend on the materials you opt for and the contractor you choose. In the previous scenarios, we talked about standard 3-tab asphalt shingles – which are less expensive than architectural shingles – so we will stick with this example. 

The average cost of replacing a 10 x 10 square foot area of standard asphalt shingles is between $100 and $350. That may sound high, but compare that to the average price to repair a leaking roof – which runs between $300 and $1,100 – and there will be a clear-cut winner. 

In either scenario, it is always best to replace the shingle as soon as possible. It’s the only way you can protect your roof from leaks and other forms of property damage. Besides, replacing a few missing shingles is much less expensive than repairing a leaking roof. 


Don’t Wait Around for Roof Leaks

As soon as you notice one, two, or three or more missing shingles from your roof, it’s time to take action. Contact a local professional roofing company in your area to address the vulnerability promptly.

If you need assistance finding a roofer in your area, try searching roofer near me on Google. Select one of the companies that appear within Google’s Local Map 3-Pack and give them a call or submit an inquiry.