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Roofing · The seal strip let go

Shingles lifting along one slope after wind

The factory sealant strip bonds each course to the one below. Once it releases, wind gets underneath and the shingle levers off. It usually shows on one exposure first.

Quick answerThe factory sealant strip bonds each shingle course to the one below. Once it releases, through age, heat cycles or a strong wind, air gets underneath and the shingle levers up and eventually tears off. This usually shows on one exposure, typically the south or west, before the rest of the roof. Lifted shingles can often be resealed. Creased or torn ones need replacing.

One slope lifting is an early warning. The rest of the roof has been through the same years and the same storms, and it will follow.

Damaged asphalt shingle roof with missing shingles
An asphalt shingle roof with missing shingles. Creased or torn shingles need replacing, not resealing. Photo by blue soda on Unsplash.

This is most common in homes built roughly 1980 to 2000. The polybutylene and aluminum-wiring window, 150 amp panels, R-22 systems and first-cycle architectural shingle.

1Why it happens on one slope

  • Sun exposure. South and west slopes get the most heat. Repeated heating and cooling ages the sealant strip faster.
  • Wind direction. The slope facing prevailing or storm winds takes the most uplift.
  • Nailing. Nails placed too high or too few let a shingle lift more easily once the seal goes.
  • Cold installs. Shingles laid in cold weather may never have sealed properly in the first place.

2How to check it

  1. Look on a windy dayFrom the ground, watch for tabs that flutter or lift. Those are unsealed.
  2. Look for creasesA horizontal line across a shingle means it has been bent back. It will tear next.
  3. Check the yardPieces of shingle or bare strips of underlayment mean shingles have already gone.
  4. Compare slopesNote whether the problem is on one exposure or spread across the roof.
Stay off the roof after wind

Loose shingles slide underfoot. Don’t climb up to check. Use binoculars, and cover exposed areas only if a pro can do it safely.

3Fixing it

Do it yourself

  • Photograph damage with dates after each storm
  • Pick up debris and note which slope it came from
  • Keep gutters clear of shingle pieces

Hire a pro

  • Hand-sealing lifted shingles that are not creased
  • Replacing creased, torn or missing shingles
  • Checking nailing along the affected slope
  • Advising whether the slope or the whole roof is near the end

Hand-sealing uses dabs of roofing cement under each tab. It works best in mild weather, when shingles are flexible enough to lift without cracking. A slope with many creased shingles is usually a replacement, not a repair.

4What drives the cost

Price depends on how many shingles need sealing or replacing, whether matching shingle is still available, roof pitch and height, and whether the damage is on one slope or several. If a specific windstorm caused it, check your policy. See damage that might be under the deductible.

Roofing cost

Shingles lifting or missing after wind?

Talk to a roofer who will check the seal on the whole slope, not just the pieces that blew off.

877-360-4657

5Questions

Will lifted shingles reseal on their own in summer?

Sometimes, if the sealant still has life in it. Aged sealant usually doesn’t. Hand-sealing is more reliable.

Is wind damage covered by insurance?

Damage from a specific storm often is. Gradual seal failure from age usually isn’t. Your policy decides.

Do I need a whole new roof?

Not always. If damage is limited to one slope and the rest is sound, a repair or slope replacement may be enough.

Written by Jaylan Jones. I Like To Exterior Services earns a referral fee when a call connects to a contractor. See our business-model disclosure.

877-360-4657