A hail storm wreaks havoc on just about anything that lies in its path, and the roof of your home is no exception. The costs associated with storm damage can quickly add up if they're neglected, but who has a piggy bank saved for a hailstorm anyway? The strength of hail can literally break your wallet and your roof.
While most of the effects of hailstorms are obvious, such as a broken window or missing shingles, small and unnoticeable damages need a trained eye to be spotted early on. In fact, if you don’t see any obvious holes in your roof, it is still important to get a hail-damage roof inspection to be on the safe side.
RoofCrafters has been aiding homeowners with their hailstorm troubles for 30 years now, and we've seen just how intensely these little balls of fury can damage a roof. While hail season rears its ugly head mostly during our summer months, it's just as important to be proactive this winter season. That being said, in this article, you'll learn the ways hail can potentially damage your roof, and how you should mitigate the damages. Let's get started!
How Does Hail Damage a Roof?
While it's difficult to assess the full extent of damage from a hail storm to your roof from the ground, there are some signs that can help determine if there could be more damage. If you notice any of the following signs, it is time to get a roof inspection:
- Granule loss
- Cracked shingles
- Weakened roof seals
Weakening roof seals
Granule Loss
Granules are the part of the shingles that look like the surface of sandpaper. Often in a storm, shingles lose their granules, which expose their asphalt coating to the external elements. Over time, this could accelerate the aging of your shingles. An easy way to determine if your shingles have lost granules is by taking a look at your gutters and downspouts. If you find any granules after a hailstorm, chances are the storm has taken a toll on your shingles.
Cracks in the Shingles
The impact of dense hailstones or strong winds can crack your shingles, possibly leading to further damage to your roof. While not all cracks pose an immediate risk to the overall structure of the system, they can still leave your roof with bare spots that might lead to roof leaks down the line. Cracked shingles also cannot protect your roof from more torture exerted by Mother Nature.
Weakened Roof Seals
Strong winds and hailstones can also weaken the seal integrity of your shingles. This means that it can cause shingles to blow off, leaving your roof exposed. Sadly, once a shingle is damaged, it's damaged for good, and such damage usually leads to roof leaks, which will continue to take a toll on the structure of your roof.
How Do I Deal With Hail Damage?
When bad weather takes a toll on any part of your home, it can be pretty disconcerting. So, it's incredibly important to have a professional inspection at the first sign of damage. While a ground-level inspection can sometimes give you an idea of the hail roof damage, it might not be enough to make sure that the integrity of your roof is not compromised. If hail and wind damage to the roof is ignored, even a small problem can lead to leaks, ice dams, mold, or even electrical issues.
It goes without saying that it's best to leave up-close inspections to the experts when assessing hail damage to your roof. Climbing onto your roof can be dangerous and therefore, inadvisable, especially if you aren’t experienced, and the risk increases even more right after a storm has caused some level of damage to your roof.
Consider Filing an Insurance Claim
Most insurance companies require homeowners to file an insurance claim within one year after finding out that their roof has taken hail damage. Therefore, it is recommended that you get your roof inspected as soon as possible if you suspect hail roof damage. You will probably want enough time to review damage assessments as well as consider a different option for roof repairs
Is It Necessary to Fix Roof Hail Damage?
It can be difficult to determine whether the hail roof damage is only superficial or affects roof performance by simply looking at it. So, if the hail damage is causing roof leaks, it is best to deal with it early on. Similarly, if it has caused granule loss on your roof shingles, it could be a problem for performance and aesthetics. While you might not have to deal with roof leaks right away, you have to understand that it could be only a matter of time. This doesn’t fully explain how small roof problems can quickly develop into costly and time-consuming damages.
Assessing roof storm damage caused by a hail storm is an important skill. It is not just valuable for roofing experts but for homeowners just like you as well. Knowing what to look for and identifying the extent of damage can help you understand when to hire a professional. All of these skills can enable you to get the most out of your roofing investment.
RoofCrafters specializes in understanding how any kind of storm damage affects your roof. If you're worried about the extent of hail damage to your roof, be sure to schedule your roof inspection. Our experienced specialists can help you understand the scope of work that might be required to fix the damage. In the meantime, check out our article, "What Should I do After I See or Find Storm Damage?"
