Shingles are one of the most prevalent roofing materials that you can find in the market. Not only are these materials easy to install, but they can hold their own against high winds and heavy rain. However, this is not always the case as the wrong way of installing your shingles inadvertently lead to more damage to your roof.

Sometimes, high winds and storms can be hard to predict and could damage roof shingles if they are not installed or maintained correctly. What could be the reason why shingles flap in the wind? Is there any way that I can remedy this?

But before we get into anything else, we have to first discuss why shingles flap when exposed to high winds.

Why Do My Shingles Flap?

There are two ways that roof shingles resist winds, first is through the nailing pattern. When shingles are being riveted in place, it’s going to be hard for wind to uproot it. The second way is through roof sealants. Both are great at making sure that water does not seep towards the gaps of shingles, but most are still susceptible to deterioration from age.

Check Nailing Patterns

Normally, nails don’t degrade when exposed to rain or high winds, but it can become dislodged and out of place. In most cases, this is due to an error in the installation process or erosion around your shingles. Nails that are used to rivet in place flashings, shingles, and other structures in your roof might last years to decades, but it can still deteriorate when faced with the constant flow of water and fluctuations in temperature.

It’s best to have a local contractor look at your roof for any nails that are out of place. This can be one of the major contributions to why shingles will flap when exposed to wind.

Check Your Sealings

One of the reasons why shingles flap uncontrollably is when they’re installed during colder seasons. Usually, sealants that are exposed to lower temperatures will take several weeks before they settle and become good adhesives.

Aside from the improper way of installing sealants, the deterioration of sealants based on the age of the adhesive can also be a factor. As the sealants and the shingles age, the bonding matrix of the adhesive becomes less potent and will weaken over time. The fluctuation of temperatures could also lead to the weakening of sealants since most roofing materials expand and recede in warm and cold temperatures.

The best time to seal your shingles is during warmer seasons when your sealants can activate in a shorter span of time. UV rays and the heat of the sun can also help your shingles expand which can give you a clear and accurate measurement of how your shingles will look when expanded. Sealants that are installed during colder temperatures might have bonds that will become weak when exposed to higher temperatures.

If you’re not up for the task of resealing your shingles, you can always contact a professional roofing specialist to do it for you. Most of them offer different varieties of sealants and sealing services.

Prolonged Storage

Since most shingles are susceptible to cold weather and low temperatures, contractors and homeowners tend to store them for a long amount of time. For homeowners that are planning on installing during colder seasons, Warehouses that store shingles need to have the right temperature and humidity to make sure that the roofing materials do not become brittle. Too much moisture could also lead to shingles forming molds and mildews.

Will Roof Shingles Lift?

But don’t worry, moderate to strong winds will not lift your shingles if your roofing system is sound and secure. If high winds will not be able to penetrate your roof’s interiors and inside your home, there’s little chance that shingles will be propelled.

To make the long story short; the reason why shingles flap when exposed to strong winds is that it’s not installed correctly. It might be because your local roofing contractor overlooked certain parts of the installation process, you did the installation yourself without proper professional supervision, or they simply don’t know what they’re doing. To make sure that your roof shingles are installed the right way, it’s best to look for a professional roofing contractor. Moreover, it’s best to do your research first on the track record of your contractors first before commissioning them into service.

Additionally, you can always consult your roofing material manufacturer if the warrant for your shingles remains valid after man-made errors. In most cases, warranties will cover damages caused by man-made errors during the installation process.