If you notice a blown-off roof shingle in your yard or driveway, you have three choices going forward:

Ignore it (not recommended)
Fix it yourself
Call a professional roofing contractor

While it’s always the best decision to leave your roof repairs in the hands of a professional, replacing missing shingles is a possible DIY project for handy homeowners. This DIY project can be accomplished if your roof only has a couple of blown-off shingles, but it’s not recommended if there are large sections of your roof with missing shingles.

If you want to try your hand at fixing your own roof, follow this guide on how to repair roof shingles blown off by the wind.

how to repair blown off roof shingles flap off roof

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Unless you’re a champion handy homeowner, you probably don’t have all the required roofing equipment on hand to complete this task. You’ll need to head to a hardware or home improvement store to purchase matching shingles, as well as any of the following tools you don’t own:

Matching roof shingles
Sturdy ladder
Pry bar
Galvanized roofing nails
Roofing or standard hammer
Safety harness
Utility knife
Roofing cement

Some home improvement stores also allow you to rent larger items if you don’t want to invest in purchasing some of them. And if you’re having a hard time justifying paying for materials you may not use again, you can always call a professional roofer to get the job done well.

Step 2: Set Up Your Ladder and Safety Equipment

Once you’ve gathered your necessary tools and supplies, be sure to take the proper safety precautions:

Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes
Never work in the rain, snow, or extreme temperatures
Wear a safety harness
Never work alone

If you can check off all these safety tips, then you can set up your ladder. Make sure to use a ladder that extends three feet above the edge of your roof— just don’t ever step on the extended portion.

It can be helpful to wear a toolbelt (if you have one) when climbing up to your roof with your tools. If you don’t have a toolbelt, be sure to work with another person who can hand you the tools so that you can safely climb the ladder.

Step 3: Use a Pry Bar to Lift Old Nails and Debris

Once you’re on your roof, locate the area with the missing shingle(s). You may notice that the shingle was damaged and remains partially in place or that the entire shingle may have blown off.

how to repair blown off roof shingles prybar

Use your pry bar to either remove the partially damaged shingle. If it’s completely missing, use the pry bar to remove old nails and debris.

Typically there are four nails you’ll need to focus on:

Two that were holding the missing shingle
Two holding the shingle above it

Carefully pry up all four of these nails so that you can properly place the new shingle. Don’t place a new shingle on top of old nails, as this can puncture holes in the new shingle.

Move the old, damaged shingle and nails off to the side and out of your working area.

Step 4: Slide the New Shingle in Place

Now, you’ll carefully slide the new shingle under the one above it. Line it up with the other shingles in its row to ensure proper placement.

Use a gentle hand in this part so that you don’t damage other shingles around it.

Note: When buying new shingles at the store, you’ll notice that a strip usually spans 3 feet by 1 foot. You can replace an entire strip of 3-tab shingles by following these same steps, or you can cut the shingle strip into sections and replace just one tab.

Step 5: Nail the New Shingle Down

When the new shingle is in place, secure the new shingle under the shingle above it with two roofing nails. Then, carefully lift the tab up from the bottom and apply a small amount of roofing cement.

Press the shingle back down, so the roofing cement seals it to your roof. Then, hammer in the final two roofing nails at the bottom of the new shingle.

how to repair blown off roof shingles hammer and nails

The shingle pattern should match the rest of the overlapping pattern on your roof. The top edge of the new shingle will be under the one above it. While the bottom edge will lay overtop of the shingle below it.

Keep your eye on the replaced shingle in the following days. If any of your DIY repaired shingles start to lift or curl, apply a little more roofing cement. If the issue doesn’t seem to resolve, call a professional roofing contractor right away so that you don’t risk water damage in your home.

What Causes Shingles to Blow Off?

There are many reasons why your shingles may have blown off in the first place. Here are some of the most common causes:

High Winds: Shingles can be damaged or torn off by high winds, especially if they’re old or in poor condition.
Poor Roof Maintenance: If you don’t regularly inspect and maintain your roof, shingles can become loose or damaged. This is especially true in areas with severe weather conditions.
Hail Damage: Hail can cause damage to shingles, making them more likely to blow off in high winds.
Age: Older roofs are more vulnerable to damage and may not be able to withstand strong winds as well as newer roofs.

If you’re not sure what caused your shingles to blow off, you can always call a professional roofing contractor to inspect your roof and give you their opinion.

Preventing Shingles From Blowing Off

The best way to prevent shingles from blowing off is to regularly inspect and maintain your roof. This includes:

Cleaning your gutters
Checking for loose or damaged shingles
Making sure your roof is in good repair
Clearing off debris
Watching for interior signs of water damage (stains, musty smells, etc.)
Scheduling professional inspections after major storms

If you’re not sure how to inspect or maintain your roof, you can always call a professional roofer to help you out. They can give you advice on what to do to keep your roof in good condition and help you spot any potential problems.

What Are the Risks of DIY Roofing?

While it’s possible to replace a missing shingle yourself, there are some risks involved. These include:

Injury: Climbing onto your roof can be dangerous, especially if you’re not used to working at heights. It’s important to take precautions and be careful while you’re up there. Roofing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world (and that’s for trained professionals), so be sure to only take on this task if you’re able, comfortable, and have the proper safety equipment.
Damage to Your Roof: If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could end up causing more damage to your roof. This can lead to bigger problems down the road and ultimately cost you a lot more money.
Voiding Your Warranty: If you have a warranty on your roof, replacing a shingle yourself could void it. This means that any other damage that would have been covered under warranty in the future would no longer be eligible for coverage. It’s always best to check with your roofing contractor or the manufacturer about the status of your warranty before you make any changes to your roof.

Does DIY Roofing Sound Intimidating? Call Scro’s Instead!

While some homeowners can successfully repair a blown-off shingle, most people end up finding themselves in over their heads. Before you cause even more damage to your roof, leave your shingle repairs in the hands of trained professionals.

Scro’s Roofing Company has been serving the Raleigh, NC, area for decades. Our repair team is friendly, prompt, and industry-trained, so we’ll restore your roof to top condition in no time.Reach out to Scro’s today for a free estimate!

We had significant hail damage due to the May 2016 hail storm in Cary, and warded off all the storm chasers that came through our area for 2 months after. I called Scro’s Roofing after the insurance adjusted had written off the roof, and they worked us into their busy schedule. Amazing job done by an amazing and hard-working crew. I was impressed by the way they used tarps to protect the landscaping around the house, and Patricia was pretty particular about cleaning up after the crew. Danny was a pleasure to work with, and he provided several improvements to our roof like a installing a chimney cricket and ridge vents. We used Moire black shingles and the roof looks...

Larry O. | Cary, NC

In life you get what you pay for and this is certainly true with Scro’s Roofing. There are so many “fly be night” roofing companies out there who do not have the long standing customer service and support that a local roofing company can offer. Everyone should take the time to educate themselves about the roofing process and the track record of the company, as this is a very larger investment and an area where you don’t want to cut corners. The team at Scro’s Roofing provided me with many educational links and never pressured me into a sale. They wanted to ensure that I fully understood the process and trusted that I would make an intelligent decision. This sharing...

Kevin A. | Wake Forest, NC

Scro’s Roofing installed a new roof on our home and everything went exactly as planned and scheduled. The installation crew covered all our plants and deck when removing the roof and then cleaned up perfectly when the job was done. We were kept informed all along the job from start to finish so we knew how and when everything would be done. I’ve never experienced a contractor, a company or an owner like Danny who worked with us on every detail. Further, we had gotten several other quotes with Scro’s being the best. This project couldn’t have been done more smoothly… We greatly appreciate Danny the owner and Sarah our scheduling contact. They both were there for all and every...

Joe V. | Cary, NC

We just had our roof done by Scro’s Roofing, and we are very happy with the results. Danny and his office were very helpful in answering all of my questions. I did a good bit of research beforehand, and after talking with Danny, I had a lot of confidence that they are up to date on best practices and latest materials. In particular, I liked that they hand nail the shingles, use a synthetic underlayment instead of tar paper, install a drip edge, and provide a 10-year labor warranty. The thing about getting a new roof is that most people may not find out whether the installer did a bad job or used inferior materials for 5-10 years when they...

Matt B. | Cary, NC

The big hail storm of May 2, 2016 did extensive damage to our roof (and Leaf-Guard gutters as well). Our insurance company appraised the roof and said it all needed to be replaced. My first choice was again Scro’s Roofing. I was not about to use one of the “storm chasers” that descended on our neighborhood like carpetbaggers from who knows where. Danny, the owner of Scro’s Roofing looked up my record from seven years ago and was able to give me an estimate almost immediately from the information he already had on file. Their estimate was within a couple percent of what our insurance had already written a check which made the decision to go with Scro’s Roofing again...

David C. | Cary, NC

I had a great experience working with Danny and his team. Danny even recommended a less expensive roofing product based on our needs. Sarah was so helpful and accommodating throughout the process. I wish all home repairs/renovations were this easy and professional. A wonderful company to work with!

Kate L. | Cary, NC