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Signs of Hail Damage Roof and How to Fix It
Protecting the house from the elements is the primary function of your roof. It provides warmth, safety, and dryness no matter what the weather outside is like. However, your roof can sustain damage in severe weather, such as hailstorms. The roof damage can gradually worsen, eventually causing leaks or another roof-related problem.
Hail damage can be easily spotted sometimes. For example, if you live in an area where a hailstorm drops baseball-size hailstones on your roof, the damage will probably be quite evident. Sometimes it is more difficult to determine the extent of hail damage. Even tiny hailstones can cause extensive roof damage. Unfortunately, these types of damage are more subtle. This causes many homeowners to ignore it until it gets to the point that major problems arise.
To prevent further hail-damaged roofs, you must be familiar with the signs of hail damage in the early stages to take action in time to avoid the worst scenarios.
What Does Hail Damage To Roofs Look Like?
A variety of factors determine roof damage caused by hail: hail size, wind speed, wind direction, the material of the roof, age of the roof, and slope all affect the potential damage to the roof. A hailstorm can damage a roof, causing leaks and other problems.
It’s sometimes less obvious that functional damage can be more severe than cosmetic damage. While they initially appear cosmetic, things such as bruises, punctures, and hail damage to shingles are capable of causing serious complications.
Let’s discuss the types of damage that hail can do to a roof:
Loss of granules
The hail and/or storm may have damaged your asphalt shingles roof causing granule loss. You may also experience granule loss over time due to normal wear and tear. During a hailstorm, shingle damage is accelerated, and protective granules are worn away more quickly. The strength and protection of the roof are weakened when granules are dislodged.
Shingles with cracks
Cracked shingles are another sign of damaged roofing. A combination of wind speed and hail can cause your shingles to crack, allowing leaks to penetrate your roof and cause damage to your property.
Missing Shingles
A strong wind often accompanies hail. These strong winds are often responsible for tearing off roof shingles (wood shingles, asphalt shingles, etc.). During the hail event, the wind direction most likely matches the direction the hail particles flew. Be aware of debris on the ground and in trees. Roofing contractors offering free inspections are vital when you lose your shingles, as the protective layer of your roof exposes itself.
Hail
During some storms, you will see hail stones in your yard and even hear it banging into your roof. Depending on the hail’s velocity, the storm’s length, and its size, hail impact can cause substantial damage to a roof.
Leaking water
A roof often leaks when it is damaged by hail. It might manifest as a stain on your ceiling or an active leak in your house after the storm ends. You should document any leaks as soon as possible and place a protective cover over your belongings, as this can rapidly escalate the issue.
Chipped Paint
Following a hailstorm, you might notice roof storm damage to your roof due to hail. Numerous exterior components of your home can be damaged by hail, significantly your deck, gutters, vinyl siding, and more.
Electrical Issues
If there are downed power lines or electrical problems after a hailstorm, contact a professional immediately. An amateur should never handle electrical damage.
Also Read: 7 Tips to Protect Your Roof From Storm Damage
Tips to Fix Hail Damaged Roof
Take a look at your roof if you can easily access it
Damage to roofs from hail can appear in many forms, such as loose granules exposing roof felt, cracks in the roof, and random damage that lacks much visibility to the untrained eye. Check for any dents or chips in the roof vents, chimneys, skylights, and other roof features. Light-colored chalk can reveal damage otherwise undetectable on dark or hard-to-see surfaces.
Different materials will also exhibit different hail damage signs. Residents may see “hail hits” on asphalt and composition shingles that are black and soft to the touch. They may also observe a shiny appearance on the asphalt or the mat. Often the metal roof hail damage is much more evident with very apparent dents.
A roof inspection is a smart move
If you’re looking for cosmetic damage after an intense hail storm, you should check the roof yourself first, but if you’re looking for storm damage, you might fail to notice it.
The kind of damage a roof has both cosmetically and functionally can be quickly identified by roof inspectors, as well as provide repair solutions before you seek a contractor to perform the hail damage roof repair. There is no reason not to get a roof inspection done if you believe there is a chance your roof may have been damaged. These roof inspections are free, so it is not a bad idea to have one done just to be safe.
Find out whether your insurance company covers hail roof damage
Insurance companies usually cover weather damage repairs within six months to one year. It is not legal for homeowners’ insurance policies to be canceled, non-renewed, or increased because of naturally occurring incidents beyond their control (known as “Acts of God”).
A hail roof damage claim is usually covered depending on the extent of the damage. Most homeowner policies have a deductible of one to two percent; for the claim to be covered, the claim amount must be higher than the deductible.
SR1 Roofing is Here to Help
The SR1 Roofing team helps homeowners assess hail storm damages after bad weather. Hail damage can be difficult to spot from the ground and an untrained eye, as with any roof damage. In addition to offering you a free roof inspection, we walk alongside you throughout the process.
We can help if your roof has been damaged by hail, and ensure your roofing materials are in good shape. We are trained in inspecting roofs for hail damage after severe weather events, including high winds and hail hits, as well as problems from general wear and tear, such as broken gutters and granule loss, that can cause the roof to deteriorate over time.
