The roof of a house is the single most expensive part of the structure. It accounts for up to 40% of the grey structure cost. But all that cost is justified as the roof is your first line of defense against the outside world.
Missing shingles on roof are some of the most common cases of building damage. Let's see what causes them and how it can be prevented.
Causes Behind Missing Shingles on Roof
The leading causes for missing shingles on roof include:
Roof Ageing
One of the most common causes of missing shingles on roof is the age of the roof.
In doing its duty, the roof takes a lot of abuse. The repeated temperature difference between the day and night, the freezing and thawing of snow and ice, rain, and winds all slowly eat the roof away.
If your roof is more than 20 years old and you start noticing missing shingles, it is the time to call the insurance company.
While most insurance providers do not cover roofs damaged by ageing, you still have a chance. In order to have a clear idea of what is covered under your insurance plan and what isn't, you can get the services of a public adjuster.
Storms
Another common cause of missing shingles, especially for the roofs under 20 years of age are storms. Hail, winds, and falling debris can cause the roof shingles to come loose or to fall off entirely.
Luckily, this cause of missing shingles on roof is generally covered by insurance. However, it is up to the claim inspector from the insurance provider to determine whether you are entitled to a full or a partial compensation against your damaged roof.
To get the most out of your insurance, the right choice is to hire a public adjuster who can review your policy and assess the damages to get you the highest legally possible compensation amount.
Substandard Construction
If your roof is under 10 years of age and there has not been any sizable storm of any kind, the missing shingles on roof might be a result of substandard construction.
If this is the case with your roof, you might not be entitled to any insurance claims at all. If the roofing contractor offered a warranty on the work you can avail it. Otherwise, you are on your own to get the thing fixed.
Author advice: Get the roof done by a reputable contractor and do not be attracted by a couple thousand dollars of savings.
How to Prevent Missing Shingles on Roof?
While you cannot go out in a hail storm and hold a giant umbrella over your house to protect the roof, there are a few things that you can do to increase the life of your roof.
- Keep the roof properly drained. Accumulated water due to clogged rain gutters can cause the roof to age quickly.
- In case of a snow storm, clean the snow from the roof as soon as possible. The extra load of the snow is something the roof is not designed to handle.
- If you have to get the roof repaired or replaced, get that done by a good company.
If you are facing any property insurance related issue, ACI Adjustments group is here to help you.
ACI Adjustment Group Services
ACI Adjustment group provides assistance with insurance claim investigation in storm, fire, water damage, and all other common insurance claims. The services we provide include:- Insurance policy review to help you understand the terms and conditions of your insurance policy.
- Evaluating damages that are covered under your insurance policy.
- Proving the damages done to your property so that you get claim money according to the damage.
- Following up with your insurance claim process to get it processed fast.