Roof & Gutters guide
Missing shingles after wind: what to do and whether to repair or replace
By the Home Doctor team · Reviewed
Quick answer
A few missing shingles after a windstorm is urgent but rarely an emergency: the next rain can run under the neighboring shingles to the roof deck, and wind peels more off the exposed edges. Stay off the roof. Photograph the damage from the ground, check the attic for drips, and have a roofer tarp or repair it before the next rain. Replacing a few shingles typically costs $250 to $750. On a roof around 20 years old or older, or with widespread damage, replacing it often makes more sense. Sudden wind and hail damage is usually covered by homeowners insurance, so call your insurer promptly.
- How urgent
- Urgent
A few missing shingles won't flood the house today, but each rain soaks the underlayment and roof deck, and wind catches the exposed edges and strips more. Get it covered before the next storm, sooner if water is already coming in.
- DIY or pro
- Call a pro
Spotting damage from the ground, taking photos and filing the claim are yours to do. Tarping, shingle repairs and roof replacement are roofer jobs.
Stop and call a pro now if
- A tree or large limb is on the roof, or a power line is down on or near the house: keep everyone away and out of the rooms below, and call 911 or the utility.
- Water is coming through a ceiling or near a light fixture: switch that circuit off at the breaker, catch the water, and call a roofer for a tarp.
- Don't go on the roof to inspect or tarp it yourself: storm-wet shingles are slick, and damaged ones can slide out from under you. Look from the ground with binoculars and let a roofer go up.
Common causes and how to tell them apart
1. Wind damage
- How to tell
- After a windstorm, shingle pieces in the yard, and bare patches, exposed nail heads or dark underlayment on the roof, usually along the edges, corners and ridge where wind hits hardest.
- What fixes it
- A roofer replaces the missing shingles and seals down the ones around them. A few on an otherwise sound roof is a repair.
2. Lifted tabs or failed seal strips
- How to tell
- Shingles that flap in the wind or stick up at the bottom edge, or a straight crease line across a tab where it folded back. Common when shingles were installed in cold weather and never sealed.
- What fixes it
- A roofer hand-seals lifted tabs with roofing cement. Creased shingles have lost their strength and should be replaced.
3. Old, brittle shingles
- How to tell
- An asphalt roof around 20 years old or older. Shingles are curled, cracked or bald, gutters are full of granules, and pieces break off rather than blowing off whole.
- What fixes it
- Patching gets hard because old shingles crack when a roofer lifts them to slip in new ones. It's often time to replace the roof.
4. Poor nailing
- How to tell
- Whole shingles blow off a fairly new roof, often from the same area. A fallen shingle has fewer than four nail holes, or holes above the nailing strip.
- What fixes it
- A roofer re-nails or replaces the affected area. On a newer roof, call the installer first: it may be covered by their workmanship warranty.
5. Hail damage
- How to tell
- After a hailstorm, dents in gutters, downspouts and roof vents, and dark bruises on shingles where granules were knocked off. Shingles may be cracked or punctured rather than missing.
- What fixes it
- Hail damage is hard to see from the ground, so have a roofer or your insurer's adjuster inspect it. Widespread hail damage often means a new roof, which insurance often covers minus your deductible.
Not sure which one you have?
Snap a photo. Home Doctor narrows it down, tells you how urgent it is, and prices the fix.
Diagnose it from a photoFirst diagnosis free. No account needed.
What you can safely try first
- 1Stay off the roof. Walk around the house and look from the ground with binoculars or your phone's zoom, especially at the edges, corners and ridge.
- 2Take dated photos and video of every side of the roof, the shingle pieces in the yard, and any damage inside. Keep a couple of fallen shingles: they help match the color and show how they were nailed.
- 3Check the attic with a flashlight for daylight, wet spots or drips under the damaged area, stepping only on the joists.
- 4Call a local roofer to tarp it before the next rain, and keep the receipt. Be wary of door-to-door crews after a storm.
- 5Call your insurance company or agent soon after the storm. Many policies require prompt notice and set deadlines for wind and hail claims, so check yours.
When to call a pro
- Any shingles are missing, even a few. Get them covered or replaced before the next rain.
- You see creased, lifted or flapping shingles, or exposed underlayment or wood.
- There are water stains, drips or daylight in the attic.
- Hail hit your area, or you see new dents in gutters, vents or a car.
- The roof is around 20 years old or older and shingles keep cracking or blowing off.
What it costs
| Job | DIY parts | Pro, installed |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency roof tarp | Not recommended | $200–$1,000 |
| Roof inspection after a storm | — | $0–$400 |
| Hand-seal lifted shingle tabs | Not recommended | $150–$450 |
| Replace a few missing shingles | Not recommended | $250–$750 |
| Repair a larger section, including underlayment and decking | Not recommended | $800–$3,000 |
| Replace an asphalt shingle roof (typical house) | Not recommended | $8,000–$25,000 |
Ballpark US ranges as of September 28, 2026. Your region, access and the specifics of your home can move these a lot. Get two or three quotes for anything over a few hundred dollars.
What to tell the pro
After [a windstorm / a hailstorm] on [date], I have [a few / a lot of] [missing / lifted / creased] shingles on the [front / back / side] of my roof, mostly near [the edges / the ridge / a corner]. The roof is [asphalt / architectural] shingle, about [age] years old, on a [one / two]-story house. I [have / haven't] seen water or stains inside, and I have photos. Can you tarp it before the next rain, and will you document the damage in writing for my insurance claim? If you recommend replacing the roof instead of repairing it, why?
Questions people ask
Is a few missing shingles an emergency?
It's urgent, but not an emergency unless water is already coming in. With shingles gone, rain reaches the underlayment and can run under the shingles around the gap to the roof deck, and wind catches the exposed edges and strips more. Have it tarped or repaired before the next rain.
Will homeowners insurance pay for missing shingles?
Usually, if a storm blew them off. Most homeowners policies cover sudden wind and hail damage minus your deductible, which may be a separate, higher wind or hail deductible, but not wear or age. Report it promptly, take photos, keep your tarp receipt, and let the adjuster see the damage before the permanent repair.
Should I repair or replace my roof after shingles blow off?
Repair if the roof is well under 20 years old, the damage is limited to one area, and the shingles are still flexible. Replace if it's around 20 years old or older, the shingles crack when lifted, or damage is spread across several slopes. On an older roof, new shingles also rarely match the old ones.
How much does it cost to replace missing shingles?
Usually $250 to $750 for a few shingles, because most roofers have a minimum charge for going up. A larger section with new underlayment or decking can run $800 to $3,000. Replacing a whole asphalt shingle roof on a typical house costs roughly $8,000 to $25,000.
Get an answer for your house
Every house is different. A photo gets you the likely cause, how urgent it is, and a fair price, in about 30 seconds.
Diagnose it from a photoFirst diagnosis free. No account needed.
General guidance, not a substitute for a licensed professional who can see the problem in person. If you smell gas, see sparks or smoke, or anyone is hurt, leave the area and call 911.