Do You Have To Replace Shingles Lifted Up From A Storm? & Other Storm Damage FAQ

With the supercell storms that come through Dallas every spring, we are regularly asked questions like, “Do you have to replace shingles lifted up from a storm or can you just lay them back down with a sealant?”

We want our community informed so that you can make wise financial choices. We know that it may be hard to tell the difference between storm chasing scammers and skilled roofing crews deployed by trusted, licensed, insured and certified roofing companies. Our community and our neighbors in our region deserve to have real answers, so, we’ve answered this and some other common questions about storm damage in this blog post.

Do You Have To Replace Shingles Lifted Up From A Storm Immediately, Or Can It Wait?

If you notice lifted shingles after a storm, you must promptly address the issue. This can cause leaks and quickly begin to undermine the integrity of your underlayment, decking, and home.

Do you know what to look for? Obviously, you can spot a shingle that’s been lifted and removed or lifted and bent upwards, but lifted shingles capable of causing leaks can be hard to spot sometimes too.

Hidden signs that your shingle may be lifted up and malfunctioning include:

• Curled shingles — Resulting in gaps that let in water
• Buckling — Resulting in gaps that let in water
• Separation of shingles from the flashing — indicating the waterproofing seal is no longer functional
• Uneven appearance — although some shingle designs include variability, there should still be a pattern to the variance, so of shingles look uneven, this can mean damage
• Exposed roofing nail — indicating a loss of adhesion and waterproofing

Keep in mind that delaying shingle repair could cost you not just in damage caused by eventual leaks, but by resulting in a denied insurance claim. So if you suspect storm damage, do not hesitate to get a free inspection as soon as possible. Make sure that any inspection is done by a trusted roofing company with a good reputation.

Do You Have To Replace Shingles Lifted Up From A Storm Or Use A Sealant?

Usually lifted shingles should be replaced. While you can find DIY sealants, we urge you to consider the possible consequences of fixing your shingle damage on your own. Those include:

• Voiding your roof’s warranty
• Creating evidence of unprofessional maintenance that would be noted by an insurance adjustor in a future claim after a more serious storm
• Substandard sealant failing to fix the issue through no fault of your own
• Improper sealant application leading to a more costly repair

We do not recommend that you seal the roof on your own. We also encourage you to thoroughly check the certifications, licenses and online reviews of any roofing company that you choose to repair your roof.

Do You Have To Replace Shingles Lifted Up From A Storm If They Aren’t Broken?

Lifted shingles often mean damaged shingles. Shingles are not intended to bend and sway after application and when it happens, it can cause damage to the shingle that may not otherwise be visible.

If you have only a couple of lifted shingles, it’s possible that we may not have to replace the entire shingle.  For minor lifting, a roofing professional may be able to make localized repairs to the affected areas. However, each case is unique and depends on the extent of the damage. A reliable roofing expert will conduct a free inspection and provide transparent recommendations tailored to your situation.

What Happens If You Don’t Replace Lifted Shingles?

Here’s what could happen if you delay replacing lifted shingles:

Roof damage can lead to serious issues like water leaks, moisture damage, and roof rot, which require immediate repairs.

If neglected, roof issues can also increase energy bills by compromising insulation, shorten your roof’s lifespan by weakening surrounding structures, and complicate insurance claims. Addressing roof issues early on can help you avoid costly repairs and replacements.

My Shingles Were Lifted Up From A Storm, What Next?

We are committed to prompt responsiveness to our community after a storm. We have an emergency tarp service as a temporary way to stop the progression of damage after a storm. This is important to stop further damage, but also critical to demonstrating to your insurance company that you have tried to mitigate further damage.

During this service, we also conduct a thorough inspection of the damage and document it. With this information we can move forward, helping you interact with your insurance adjustor and planning a repair or replacement.

Contact Elevated Roofing To Inspect Shingles Lifted Up From A Storm

Professional roofing contractors have the tools and knowledge to replace your roof shingles quickly and safely. Elevated Roofing is a GAF-certified roofing contractor.  If your shingles were lifted in a storm, schedule a free roof inspection from our local team. The longer you wait, the more extensive the damage will become.