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How to Check for Missing or Lifted Roof Shingles
Missing and lifted shingles are the most visible roof problem there is — and the easiest to check yourself. You don't need a ladder. Here's how to check for missing or lifted roof shingles safely from the ground, what the different patterns mean, and when it's a call-a-roofer situation.
The ground-level check
Stay off the roof. Everything here works from the ground with binoculars — safer, and honestly more effective, since you see the whole slope at once instead of one patch under your feet.
Walk the property perimeter and scan each slope. Look for: gaps where shingle color or pattern breaks (missing tabs show as dark rectangles of underlayment); lifted corners — tabs curling up or fluttering; color mismatches where a shingle shifted; and debris — shingle pieces in the yard or gutters after wind. Check after every major wind event and each spring.
What the patterns mean
- Scattered single tabs missing — usually wind uplift breaking aged adhesive seals. Common on roofs over 10–15 years.
- A whole patch missing — a severe gust or improperly nailed section. Needs prompt repair; underlayment alone isn't a roof.
- Lifted but present tabs — broken seals. They'll flap, crease, and eventually tear off — and wind-driven rain gets under them meanwhile.
- Damage along ridges and eaves — wind pressure concentrates at edges; this pattern is classic uplift.
What to do about it
A few lifted tabs can often be resealed or replaced individually — straightforward roof repair territory. Widespread missing shingles, especially on an older roof, may signal the seals are failing system-wide, which is a replacement conversation. Either way, don't wait through another storm: every gap is an open door for water.
One call connects you. Best Colorado Roofing is a lead-generation platform — call the number on this site to be connected with an independent roofer. See roof repair in Colorado and wind damage roof repair.
FAQs
Can I replace a missing shingle myself?
A single tab on a low, safely accessible slope is a common DIY repair — but most roofs are steeper than they look, and falls are the leading roofing injury. When in doubt, a roofer handles it quickly and safely.
How urgent are missing shingles?
Fairly urgent. Underlayment resists water temporarily, but it's not a roof surface — the next wind-driven rain can get under it. Don't let missing shingles sit through another storm.
Related reading
- How Strong Winds Can Damage Roof Shingles — why the seals broke
- Can a Roof Be Repaired Instead of Replaced? — when a repair is enough
- Roof Repair in Colorado — the full service guide
- All roofing guides — browse the resource library
Missing shingles? Don't wait out the next storm.
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