Why "A Few Shingles Missing" Is Often a Sign of Hidden Storm Damage

At Douglas Roofing, we’ve always believed that a roof is more than just a combination of asphalt and nails—it’s the shield that protects your family’s memories. When Larry and Michelle Rimel founded this company in 1985, they named it after their son, Douglas. Today, Douglas still runs the day-to-day operations with the same philosophy: Treat every home like it belongs to our own family.

If you’ve walked out to your driveway in Northern Virginia, Maryland, or Philadelphia and noticed a few shingles missing, it’s tempting to think it’s a minor cosmetic issue. But in our decades of experience, "a few shingles" are usually just the tip of the iceberg.

The "Invisible" Damage: What You Can't See from the Ground

When a homeowner calls us to replace a missing shingle, they are looking at a visible gap. However, the wind speeds required to rip a shingle off completely are usually high enough to cause "thermal seal failure" across the rest of the roof.

• Creased Tabs: Wind can lift shingles up without breaking them off, creating a horizontal crease. This snaps the fiberglass mat inside, meaning the shingle is no longer waterproof.
• Granule Loss: Storms "scrub" the protective granules off your roof. Without these, the sun will bake and crack your shingles in a single Richmond summer.
• Loosened Siding & Gutters: High winds are equal-opportunity destroyers. If your roof is missing pieces, your siding and gutters have likely been stressed as well.

Why We Don’t Just "Patch" Your Legacy

We often tell our clients: “A patch on a 10-year-old roof is like putting a new tire on a car with a blown engine.” If your roof is over a decade old, the surrounding shingles have become brittle. Trying to repair missing roof shingles by prying up the old ones often causes a chain reaction of damage. That’s why at Douglas Roofing, we focus on full replacements. We want to provide a solution that lasts another 30 years, not a "quick fix" that leaves you searching for how to fix missing shingles again after the next thunderstorm.

The Insurance Advocate You Need

This is where the Douglas family difference really matters. Most insurance companies will try to cut homeowners short by thousands of dollars, offering a tiny check to replace missing shingles while ignoring the systemic damage.

We don’t let them get away with it.

• Policy Expertise: We have read every type of insurance policy through and through. We know the "matching" laws in PA, MD, and VA that can trigger a full roof replacement if a perfect shingle match isn't available.
• Maximum Coverage: We document the hidden "uplift" damage and creased shingles that adjusters often "miss." Our goal is to ensure the insurance company pays for the full replacement you’ve been paying premiums for.

Honest Advice Since 1985

We aren’t just contractors; we are your neighbors. Whether you’re in the heart of DC or the suburbs of Philly, Douglas Roofing provides the insightful, helpful advice you need to make the right decision for your home. We specialize in full-scale roof, siding, and gutter replacements because we refuse to gamble with your family’s safety.

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