Shingles Blowing Off at the Rake Edge? Why the Gable Edge Fails First
| # | Table of Contents |
|---|---|
| 1 | Why the Rake Edge Fails First |
| 2 | The Missing Starter Strip |
| 3 | Drip Edge at the Rake |
| 4 | Shingles That Never Sealed |
| 5 | What a Proper Repair Includes |
| 6 | What to Check on Your Roof |
| 7 | FAQ |
Why the Rake Edge Fails First
Wind flowing over a roof creates uplift that is strongest at edges and corners. Along a rake, the edge of each shingle course is exposed from the side as well as from below, so a shingle that is not sealed down can be peeled back one corner at a time. Once one goes, the next course is exposed, which is why rake blow-offs often show up as a stair-step of missing shingles running up the gable edge.
Central Texas gets strong straight-line winds with spring and summer thunderstorms. A roof that has lost shingles along a rake after a storm usually has an installation detail that let the wind in.
The Missing Starter Strip
Starter strip is a row of sealant-backed shingle material installed under the first course. At the eaves it is standard. At the rakes it is often skipped. Without it, the cut edges of the field shingles along the gable have no sealant strip underneath, so nothing holds them down in the wind.
The manufacturers are clear about it. GAF's installation instructions recommend its starter strip shingles at the rakes "for best performance" and say they are "required for enhanced warranty coverage on certain products." GAF's limited warranty ties its higher wind speed coverage to starter strip at the eaves and rakes plus the specified nailing; without that installation, the stated coverage is lower (130 mph versus 110 mph for its lifetime shingles). Owens Corning's Oakridge instructions say Starter Strip Plus shingles "are required along both the eave and rake edge" for the maximum wind warranty.
GAF's instructions also call for the starter and first course to overhang the eave and rake edges by 1/4 to 3/4 inch. Shingles hanging well past the edge give the wind more to grab.
Drip Edge at the Rake
The International Residential Code requires it: "A drip edge shall be provided at eaves and rake edges of shingle roofs" (R905.2.8.5, same text in the 2021 and 2024 editions). The code also sets how it goes in: underlayment goes under the drip edge along the rakes, the metal extends at least 1/4 inch below the roof sheathing, and it is fastened at no more than 12 inches apart.
A missing drip edge leaves the edge of the decking exposed to wind-driven rain, which can rot the deck along the gable and weaken the edge the shingles are nailed into.
Shingles That Never Sealed
Even with starter strip, shingles hold in the wind only when their factory sealant bonds to the course below. GAF's technical bulletin on high-nailed shingles warns that nailing above the specified line can go through the self-seal strip, which "can adversely affect the shingle's ability to seal," and that shingles that have not sealed are "more likely to break off in the event of high winds." Shingles installed in cold weather, or dusty and debris-covered shingles, can also fail to seal properly.
What a Proper Repair Includes
- Replace the missing and damaged shingles along the rake with a matching product where possible.
- Install starter strip along the rake under the edge course if it was left out.
- Install or correct the drip edge at the rake, with underlayment beneath it.
- Check the decking along the gable edge for rot or soft spots and replace what is damaged.
- Check nail placement on neighboring shingles; GAF's remedy for high-nailed shingles is to re-fasten in the correct location and hand-seal.
- Hand-seal edge shingles with roofing cement where the manufacturer calls for it.
Matching older shingles can be difficult, so a rake repair is a good moment to ask how much life the rest of the roof has. If the storm damage is wider than the rake, our wind damage roof repair team can assess the whole roof, and our guide to roof replacement covers what a full replacement involves.
What to Check on Your Roof
- From the ground, look along each gable edge for missing, lifted or creased shingles.
- Look for a metal drip edge along the rake. A bare wood edge means it was left out.
- Check for shingles hanging far past the edge of the roof.
- After a windstorm, walk the yard on the downwind side for shingle pieces.
- In the attic, look for daylight or stains along the gable end.
Sources: International Residential Code R905.2.8.5 (2021 and 2024); GAF shingle installation instructions and GAF shingle limited warranty (RESWT160L-0426); GAF Technical Advisory Bulletin TAB-R-115, "High Nailing Shingles"; Owens Corning Oakridge installation instructions (July 2024).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do shingles blow off at the edge of the roof?
Wind uplift is strongest at roof edges. Along the gable rake, shingles without a starter strip underneath, without a proper drip edge, or that never sealed down are the first to lift and tear off.
Is starter strip required on the rake?
GAF recommends it at the rakes for best performance and requires it for enhanced warranty coverage on certain products; Owens Corning requires it at the eave and rake for Oakridge’s maximum wind warranty.
Is drip edge required on rake edges?
Yes. International Residential Code R905.2.8.5 requires a drip edge at eaves and rake edges of shingle roofs.
How far should shingles overhang the rake?
GAF’s instructions call for the starter and first course to extend 1/4 to 3/4 inch over the eave and rake edges.
Will insurance cover shingles that blew off?
Wind damage is a common covered peril, but coverage depends on your policy and deductible. Document the damage with photos right away and have the roof inspected.
