When people think of roof damage, they often picture a roof with missing shingles. However, shingles can sometimes remain in place even though they have suffered damage. When shingles become damaged, it is important to have them replaced or repaired. It is also important to determine what conditions led to the shingle damage so you can change those conditions and prevent future damage. Of course, your approach will depend on the sort of shingle damage you're facing. Here are three common types of shingle damage and advice for addressing them.

Blistering Shingles

When shingles blister, they look like they have bubbles inside of them. Usually, each shingle will have one big bubble towards its center. Blistered shingles usually need to be stripped off the roof and replaced. Otherwise, once the blisters pop, the sensitive interiors of the shingles will be exposed to water, and they will soon start leaking.

Blistering shingles often develop due to a lack of roof ventilation, which causes the roof to become overly hot. So, a roofer may add some more soffit vents or a ridge vent to your roof to prevent your future shingles from blistering, too.

Cracking Shingles

If your shingles crack, you may notice that they have deep fissures reaching from their top to their bottom. They usually crack vertically, rather than horizontally. If the cracks are small and there are only a few of them, a roofer may put some roof cement over the cracks as a quick fix. The cement will block leaks and keep the cracks from worsening. If the cracks are deeper or more extensive, then the roofer will likely replace the cracked shingles.

Cracked shingles are usually caused by rapid changes in roof temperature, which can come down to a lack of insulation. Adding more insulation to your attic may keep this from happening again.

Missing Granules

Are some of your shingles missing granules? If the granules are missing from perfectly round spots, then you're looking at hail damage. Hail-damaged shingles should be replaced since they're prone to leaks. If the granule loss is more widespread, it could be because that part of your roof is under a tree. Branches may sweep against it when there is wind, scraping the granules off the shingles. Your roofer will likely recommend replacing those damaged shingles and trimming back the tree for future protection.

If your roof has shingle damage of any sort, don't hesitate to call a roofer. They can usually repair the problem without having to replace the entire roof. 

For more info about roof repair, contact a local company.