Roofing Hail Damage: What Every Homeowner Should Know

Have you ever listened to the loud sound of hail hitting a roof? It sounds like lots of drums playing at once. Even though it sounds cool, it can cause problems for houses.

This isn’t just normal rain or snow; it’s like a guest who makes a mess in your home. Hail can break roof shingles, make them lose granules, and even cause leaks. You might wonder: How do I spot these signs? What steps should I take if my roof has been damaged? And what about dealing with insurance claims? Let’s find answers to these questions together. But be warned – once we start exploring, there may be surprises along the way!

Table Of Contents:

• What Does Hail Damage Do to a Roof?
• What Does Hail Damage to Your Roof Look Like?
• Roofing Hail Damage: Can It Be Fixed?
• How Much Hail Damage To Replace Roof?
• What Happens When You Ignore Roof Repairs?
• Is Roof Hail Damage Covered by Insurance?
• Preventive Measures Against Roof Hail Damage
• Conclusion

What Does Hail Damage Do to a Roof?

The destructive force of a hail storm can leave property owners with significant roof damage. In 2022 alone, there were over 4,400 severe hail reports, leading to billions in property damage. When hail strikes, roofs take a hit! But did you know the outcome isn’t just about the hail’s size? Factors like wind speed, direction, roof material, age, and even the slope play a role. Not All Damage is Equal! Some are cosmetic damage, others functional. But, beware: what looks merely cosmetic can be a ticking time bomb. Broken edges, bruises, punctures, lost granules? They might seem minor but can spell major trouble. Here’s a list of usual damages:

Seal Damage

When hail hits a shingle, it damages it and the ones around it, causing a chain reaction. The wind makes it worse because it pushes on the damaged area. This is why sometimes shingles fly away. Fractured Fiberglass Mat  Hail’s assault on shingles can crack the underlying fiberglass mat. With time, this damage prompts shingle separation from the fiberglass layer, endangering the roof’s shield. Shingle Damage When hail damages the seal and hard layer, parts of your shingle come off. This leaves some spots of your roof open to rain and sun. We like nature, but we need our roof to shield us from it. If not fixed, this can harm your house. Granule Loss Touch a good roof, and it feels rough like sandpaper. This roughness is because of tiny bits called granules. After hail storms, your roof may lose some of these bits. If you find many in your gutters, you should check your roof.

What Does Hail Damage to Your Roof Look Like?

Hail storms can affect your shingles differently. For instance, what hail does to asphalt shingles isn’t the same as its impact on wood shingles. It’s vital to distinguish the specific signs per material to assess whether your roof has hail damage.

Asphalt and Composition Shingles: Signs of Hail Damage

• Varied, unpredictable damage patterns.
• Darkened, black hail marks.
• Missing granules, potentially revealing the underlying roof felt.
• A glistening or shiny appearance on the asphalt/mat.
• Soft-to-touch hail spots, similar to an apple bruise.

  Wood Shingles: Detecting Hail Damage

• Damage patterns that seem random and scattered.
• Brownish-orange shingle splits.
• Crisp splits in shingles with defined corners.
• Splits with minimal wear on the edges.
• Noticeable dents or impact points accompanying the splits.

But be cautious! Not all shingle damages are from hail. Factors like harsh weather and prolonged sun exposure can make shingles fragile and aged – this is just the natural aging process. Sometimes, these signs are incorrectly labeled as hail damage. Usual wear and tear signs include blistering, cracking, loss of granules, flaking, and even algae growth. Furthermore, manufacturing glitches or shingle defects can be wrongly identified as hail-induced damage.

Roofing Hail Damage: Can It Be Fixed?

Absolutely! Repairing hail storm damage on a roof can range from mending a lone shingle to a complete roof makeover. Because of this broad repair spectrum, we recommend a professional roof inspection post any major hail event. A seasoned roofing expert can swiftly assess the damage’s magnitude. Good news? Many roof checks come free of charge! So, if a storm has you questioning your roof’s integrity, keep an eye out for damage indicators, as previously highlighted. Spotting multiple dents on gutters or siding damage? It’s high time for a hail-damaged roof inspection. Shingle damage can vary from blatant to subtle. Recognizing the less obvious damage is key to determining your roofing repair needs.

How Much Hail Damage To Replace Roof?

Changing your roof is a big job. So, how do you know when it’s time to do it? Here’s the scoop. Don’t wait. After any hail drama, ring up your insurance company or reach out to a pro like Impact Energy. Even minor hail can unleash havoc on your roof. One tiny damaged spot? It’s like a cold, spreading fast! Get to it early, and a quick repair might save your wallet.

Do your homework! Pick a solid insurance company for your claim. And hey, while you’re at it, get a few expert opinions from top-notch roofers. Most won’t charge for an estimate. So, why not? Note: Always keep Roofing in mind when thinking about hail damage, and choose experts who know the drill!

What Happens When You Ignore Roof Repairs?

If you don’t fix roof problems, small damages can become big problems like leaks or icy patches. These can lead to mold, electrical problems, or wood that goes bad. Fixing these problems can cost a lot. For instance, when wood starts to rot or mold grows, it’s hard to see early on. If you tackle these problems soon, you can save a lot of money and keep your house looking good.

Is Roof Hail Damage Covered by Insurance?

Sure, many insurance policies give a nod to hail damage. But, ever flipped through your homeowner’s policy? Do it, especially if hailstorms are frequent guests in your area. Here’s the quick lowdown on hail insurance claims: ? Act Fast! You typically have one year to file a claim. ? First, You Pay: Before the big insurance handshake, your deductible comes into play. ? Rising Tide? Your premiums might jump after a claim. ? Hail-Hot States: Some hail-frequent states might throw in percent-based deductibles. ? Just Looks? Cosmetic hail scars on your roof might not be covered. Talk to your insurance guru to know more.

Handling Hail Damage Claims: Quick Tips

1. Choose your roofing contractor wisely! Check references, read reviews, and stack up those estimates. Don’t forget to peek at their insurance and licensing—especially if it’s a must in your place. 2. Ring up your insurance ASAP! Some fancy companies offer snazzy apps and websites to help you out. No tech? No worries. A call does the trick too! 3. Teaming up your contractor with your insurer? Understand the game plan. Make sure you know exactly what each of them will do and what you need to do.

Preventive Measures Against Roof Hail Damage

If you’ve ever experienced a hail storm, you know how hard those icy pellets can hit. The roof of your house bears the brunt of this assault and damage can be extensive. But don’t despair. Take action to guard your abode from any future hail storms.

Selecting Resilient Materials

The first step in preventing roof hail damage is choosing materials that resist impact. While no roofing material is entirely impervious to large-sized hail, some options hold up better than others. For example, metal roofs offer excellent durability against hail impacts compared to asphalt shingles or wood shingles which might sustain more significant granule loss or cracked shingles due to their softer parts. Additionally, composition shingles designed with a thicker fiberglass mat covered by an asphalt coating prove more resistant against fractured fiberglass mats caused by intense hail hits. They also help maintain seal integrity – critical for keeping water out.

Maintaining Regular Inspections

Another preventive measure is regular inspections; these should occur at least once annually but even more following major weather events like wind speeds accompanying heavy storms. A trained eye will identify subtle signs of potential issues such as exposed fiberglass on the underlayment beneath damaged tiles or spots where ridge caps have been compromised leading potentially to leaks.

Safeguarding Property Around Your Home

Beyond just focusing on your roof itself, it’s smart to consider safeguarding other aspects around your property that could become collateral damage during a storm—like window screens and vinyl siding often subjected to high winds besides typical barrages from different sizes typically damaging hails. Window screens act like Swiss cheese when targeted by smaller sizes making them prone to further damage whereas sustained pressure on vinyl siding could cause dents or even cracks. So, it’s best to keep these elements in mind while devising your preventive strategy. Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And when it comes to hail damage, this saying rings particularly true. Investing time and resources now into preventing roof hail damage will pay off greatly by reducing the need for costly repairs later on.

Roofing Hail Damage FAQs

What are the signs of hail damage on a roof?

You’ll spot dents, cracked or missing shingles, and granule loss. Also, look for leaks inside your home.

Can shingles get hail damage?

Hail impact on your roof can be blatantly obvious or sneaky. Large-sized hailstones (1” or more) will leave marks on your shingles. However, the absence of big dents doesn’t mean your roof is free from hail harm.

What does hail damage to the shingle look like?

Dents! Look for them on shingles, vents, gutters, flashing—everywhere on your roof. Typically, these dents are tiny, under half an inch. But beware! Bigger hailstones leave more noticeable scars.

What is the best hail damage roof?

In places where hail often falls, it’s good to use roof shingles that can stand up to hail. Metal roofs are also a smart choice. Shingles rated UL2218 at Class 3 or 4 are really good against hail. Slate tiles work well against hail too.

Conclusion

When it comes to roofing hail damage, knowledge is your first line of defense. Identifying the impact marks, cracked shingles, or granule loss is vital for early detection and timely repairs. Act fast when you spot these signs. The cost of ignoring hail roof damage can escalate quickly – think wood rot and mold! Always prioritize repairing over delaying. Pick resilient roofing materials that stand up well against hailstorms like metal roofs or tile roofing. And don’t forget about regular maintenance checks to keep surprises at bay. Hailstorms might be a force of nature, but with our expert tips in hand and preventive measures in place, you’re more than equipped to weather the storm!