Hail storms can cause severe roof damage, and this damage is one of the most common roof problems homeowners face. Even a storm that is only partially destructive can create dents and cracks in your shingles, which will lead to leaks over time.
If you settle in an area with bad weather conditions, it’s essential to know how to identify hail or storm damage on your roof. Doing so can help you avoid further property damage. Contact your insurance company to conduct a roof inspection to ensure that your policy also covers hail damage.
As a business or homeowner, it’s crucial to identify roof hail damage and take the necessary steps to repair it before more severe roof problems occur.
What Size Of Hail Stones May Damage Your Roof?
Hail, unlike snow, comes in the form of ice fragments that vary in size and speed. And depending on wind speed and direction, hail can form large drifts that cover roofs or smaller, more focused impact areas. Hailstones can vary from as small as a pea to as large as a softball, with giant hailstones reaching 24 inches.
The size of hail that may cause damage to your roof depends on the type of roofing material you have. Several field surveys and studies have been conducted to examine the extent of the potential harm of different hail stone sizes on common roofing materials. The results are not surprising. For example, asphalt shingles are more susceptible to hail damage than those made of metal. Wood shingles are also more vulnerable than asphalt.
Generally, large hail stones bigger than a quarter can potentially damage your roof. However, a 1-inch hail stone can cause significant damage to common asphalt shingles, while metal roofing can withstand up to 2 inches of hail.
When hailstones exceed two inches in diameter, they can cause severe roof damage. The best way to determine if hail has caused damage to your roofing is to call a professional roofing contractor for them to conduct a roof inspection. They will be able to assess the severity of the damage and recommend the best course of action.
How To Inspect Roof Hail Damage
The best way to identify roof damage is by hiring a professional roofing company to do the inspection. However, if you’re unable to find one, there are still some workarounds to identify the damage on your own.
You shouldn’t wait for a series of hail hits before conducting a roof inspection. There are three main ways to spot damage on your roof: from the ground, through a ladder, and from the roof.
From The Ground
Inspecting your roof for the hail damage from the ground can be difficult, especially if there are obstructions in your line of sight. However, if you can get a clear view of the roof, one of the things you should look for is damaged and missing shingles. Hail stones can cause cracked shingles, break them, or even cause them to fall off. This would be the reason for roof leaks.
From A Ladder
If you have a ladder and are comfortable going up on your roof, this is the best way to identify hail damage. From a ladder, you’ll be able to get a closer look at your shingles and sidings and inspect for any roof damage. Pay close attention and find cracks, dents, or missing granules on your shingles.
From The Roof
Checking for the hail damage from the roof is the most thorough way to identify the problem. However, it’s also the most dangerous, so take all the necessary safety precautions before going up on your roof. Once you’re up there, slowly walk around and look for any sign of damage.
What Are The Best Ways To Identify Hail Damage?
While damage from hail cannot always be prevented, you can do something to reduce the impact by discovering problems early on and having them repaired right away. But before you can do this, ensure your physical safety. Do not go out in the middle of a hail storm. Also, inspect your roof only when the hail has already stopped. Be sure to equip yourself with the proper gear, such as gloves, boots, and goggles.
Here Are The Top Best Ways To Identify Hail Damage:
Examine Your Roof Shingles
After a hail storm, take a close look at your shingles for any signs of damage. Direct hail hits can create cracks in roofing materials. In the shingles, look for bruising. However, take note that damage is not usually apparent. Feel dimples on the shingle’s surface by running your hand through it. Inspect the shingle for cracks. Large hail cause circular apertures.
Inspect Your Gutters, Downspouts, And Siding
Another way to check for hail damage is by inspecting your gutters, downspouts, and siding. Look for any dents, scratches, or other marks that were not there before the storm. Dented gutters and downspouts are indications that your roof has been hit by hail.
It could also help inspect the roof slope, vinyl siding, and roof vents to ensure that the inclement weather and high winds did not damage your property.
Look For Missing Or Damaged Granules
Shingles are usually covered with tiny, rough particles called granules. These granules protect the shingles from the sun’s UV rays. Damaged or missing granules look like small bald spots on your shingles.
Inspect the roof’s asphalt for missing granules. Look for regions of the exposed, dark substrate on the shingle. This indicates that something has weakened or knocked off the asphalt grains.
Check Your Siding For Damage
Damaged siding is one of the most common signs of hail damage. If you see any splatter stains, dents, cracks, chipped paint, or holes on your aluminum siding or any types of siding could indicate damage. Furthermore, be sure also to check your soffits and fascia for any hail damage.
Inspect Your Garage doors, Lawn Furniture, And Windows
Another way to spot hail damage is by looking at your garage doors, lawn furniture, and windows. These are the parts of the house that are easy to check for damage. If you see any dents, scratches, or cracks on these surfaces, your roof has likely been hit by hail.
Take Note Of The Date Of The last Time Your Roof Was Replaced or Repaired
If you cannot remember the last time your roof was replaced or repaired, then it is likely time to do so. A hail-damaged roof needs to be replaced or repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your home.
Check For Any Holes Or Indentations In The Metal Flashing
The metal flashing is the material used to seal the joints between different roof parts. If you see any holes or indentations in the metal flashing, hail has likely hit your roof.
Inspect Your Attic Or Bedrooms For Roof Leak
Another way to check for damage is by inspecting your attic or bedrooms for leaks. When you see stains on the walls or ceiling due to water leaks, your shingles have likely been damaged, and some of them may have exposed their fiberglass mat.
Call A Roofing Professional
If you are not sure that your roof has been damaged by hail, it is best to call in roofing contractors to take a look. They can properly assess the damage and tell you whether you need to do any roof repair or total roof replacement.
Hail damage can be extensive and costly, so it’s crucial to prevent it. The best way to protect your roof is to have it inspected and repaired by a professional roofing contractor before hail storms.
Coordinate With Your Insurance Company
If you think your roof was hit by hail, you should first call your insurance company. They will send an insurance adjuster to inspect the damage and determine if your policy covers it. Once the insurance adjuster has inspected the damage, they will give you an estimate of the repairs.
Once your roof is inspected, you can file for an insurance claim. If approved, your insurance firm sends you a check you can use to pay for the repairs.
Conclusion
While hail can cause significant damage to your roof, identifying the damage before it becomes a bigger problem can save you from a lot of headaches. By being proactive in looking for the signs of wear, you can save yourself time and money in the long run. Talk to a roofing expert as soon as possible.