Roof Care & Maintenance

Missing, Lifted and Curling Shingles: What Each One Is Telling You

By the Ridge Point Roofing Team

Asphalt shingle roof with missing shingles.

The homeowner question

“My shingles don’t look flat anymore. Is that storm damage, age or bad installation?”

The shape of a shingle can tell you quite a bit, but it rarely tells the whole story by itself. A shingle may be missing because of wind, lifted because its seal failed, curled because of age or heat exposure, or distorted because something below it is uneven. The pattern across the roof helps separate those possibilities.

Quick Guide

  1. Missing = exposed protection
  2. Lifted = seal/fastener/wind concern
  3. Creased = prior uplift stress
  4. Curling = often age/moisture related
  5. Buckling = diagnose what is underneath
Ridge Point Roofing Quick Guide — original graphic based on the sources listed below.

Missing shingles

A missing shingle leaves the layers below more exposed to weather. Wind is a common cause, but poor fastening or an aging roof can make blow-off more likely.

Lifted shingles

A shingle tab that sits up instead of sealing flat may have a failed seal, fastener issue, debris underneath or wind-related lifting. Lifted tabs are especially vulnerable to future wind.

Creased shingles

A horizontal crease can form after a shingle has been lifted by wind. Even if it lies back down, the shingle may be weakened.

Curling edges

Curling is commonly associated with aging, moisture/ventilation conditions or material deterioration rather than a single recent storm.

Buckling or waves

Buckling can relate to the deck, underlayment, moisture, fasteners or installation conditions. It is worth diagnosing the cause instead of simply nailing the visible shingle down.

What You Can Safely Check Yourself

  • Use ground-level photos to compare different roof slopes.
  • Look for roofing pieces in the yard after wind.
  • Note whether the issue is isolated or repeated across an entire slope.
  • Do not lift shingles yourself; bending an aged shingle can cause additional damage.

When It Becomes More Serious

Multiple missing shingles, exposed underlayment or decking, a sagging area, or active water entry should be addressed promptly. One isolated cosmetic irregularity is less urgent, but repeated lifting or curling across the roof can indicate broader aging or installation issues.

Sources & Further Reading

Editorial note: Sources are cited for homeowner education and technical context. Ridge Point Roofing is not affiliated with these organizations unless separately stated. Local codes, product instructions and insurance policy terms should always be checked for a specific property.