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Does Your Roof Have Hail Damage?

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Around 7 million properties in the U.S. are damaged by hail storms annually. This leads to property repair costs totalling upwards of $14 billion every year. Most hail storms occur in the spring as the warm air moves in and thunderstorms develop due to temperature and pressure differences in the atmosphere. With the hail storms comes damage to vehicles, homes, businesses, and anything exposed to the elements. How will your property be impacted by hail damage this year?

While most people are concerned about their vehicles during a hail storm, many people forget about their roof. As the highest point of the home or building, the roof takes direct hits from falling hail. Depending on the severity of the hail storm, your roof can suffer extensive damage. In this article, we will discuss the impact of hail storms on your roof, what you can do after a hail storm, and what to expect when you call in a roofer for roof hail damage. Read on to understand what you can do to protect your property in the event of a hail storm.

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Is Your Roof Vulnerable to Hail Damage?

Any roof can sustain damage from a hail storm. Metal roofs can become dented and warped; asphalt shingle roofs can lose granules, break, and weaken; slate roofs can crack. Whichever roofing material you have, you should be suspicious of potential roof damage after any hail storm.

With older or damaged roofs, the roof can be more susceptible to serious hail damage. When a roof is already weakened, hail damage to the roof can cause holes and leaks to develop. Because of this, regular roofing inspections are essential to find and repair any weakened areas of your roof. If you live in an area with frequent hail storms, a roof inspection can save you from more serious complications after a storm.

Overall, any roof can be a victim to hail damage. While some roofing materials are more resistant to hail damage (such as metal roofing), property owners should always have an inspection or visually inspect their roof (if it is safe to do so) after a hail storm. This inspection allows for early intervention if your roof took hail damage.

How Can You Tell If You Have Hail Damage to Your Roof?

If you are inspecting your roof after a hail storm, you may be wondering what hail damage actually looks like. Simply put, you will want to check for any signs of breakage, cracking, leaking, etc. This may look like missing or broken shingles, dented areas or many small dents, cracked roofing materials, or water pooling and dripping. If there are any discontinuities in your roof after a hail storm, you should call in a professional roofer immediately.

What Factors Affect the Extent of Roof Hail Damage?

Though thousands of hail storms occur every year, many homes and buildings make it through without roof hail damage. That’s because several different factors contribute to the extent of damage during any hail storm. Some properties are protected by dense tree coverage, which can act as a deterrent for hail damage. Some roofing materials are more resistant to roof hail damage than others. And, some factors are completely left up to nature. Let’s explore some of the elements that impact the extent of hail damage.

  • Size & shape of the hailstones: A bigger hail stone is more likely to cause extensive damage to your roof. In addition, some hailstones are more compact, while some fracture more easily. This can also contribute to roof hail damage, as a more compact stone can hit harder and penetrate farther than a loosely compacted hailstone.
  • Wind speed & direction: Stronger winds will cause the hail to hit with more force, which can cause greater roof hail damage. In addition, wind direction can cause the hailstones to either hit more directly or hit at an angle. The wind direction can cause different types of damage to your roof as well. Direct hits are more likely to cause denting or holes, whereas angled hits may cause tearing and shearing of some roofing materials.
  • Roof integrity & material: If you have a sturdier roof, it may withstand hail storms more readily than a weakened roof. Weakened roofs are more likely to suffer serious damage, causing holes, leaks, and cracks in your roofing. In addition, some roofing materials are more resistant to roof hail damage. For example, metal and rubber roofs are typically very durable and stand up well to hail damage, whereas traditional asphalt shingles may loose granules in severe hail storms. (Most modern asphalt shingles are, however, made to withstand hail damage.) Overall, the quality and type of roofing material does impact how hail affects your roof.

There are many factors at play when it comes to roof hail damage. Most of them are outside of anyone’s control, such as the size of the hailstones and the wind speed. However, one factor that can be controlled is the roofing material used on your property. If you live in an area with more frequent hail storms, it is worth investigating the best roofing materials for your environment. Some roofing materials are highly resistant to hail, which can protect your property from hail damage and subsequent leaking roofs.

Is Hail Damage to Your Roof Serious?

You may be wondering: Is hail damage a serious problem? Well, it can be! Roof hail damage can range from mild to severe. While it is possible for your roof to only sustain cosmetic damage, hail can also cause structural and functional impairment. It’s difficult to predict exactly what kind of damage your roof will take when you’re expecting a hail storm, but it’s always best to anticipate damage and check for any signs after the storm has passed.

What Can You Do After a Hail Storm?

After any storm, you should be wary of damage to your roof. From heavy rain to strong winds to hail, there are many ways that storms can damage your roof. Once the storm has passed, you should immediately take action to ensure the best outcome for your roof and property. Here’s what to do if you suspect hail damage to your roof:

  1. Inspect Your Property: Once the storm is over and it is safe to do so, inspect your home or building for visible signs of damage. If you can only check from the ground, that is a great place to start. If it is safe for you to climb a ladder and get a closer look, you can do that too. However you choose to check for roof hail damage, make sure to wait until the storm has passed and do it safely. If you notice any missing shingles, cracked or broken roofing materials, limbs down on the roof, damaged gutters, etc., it’s time to schedule a professional roof inspection.
  2. Schedule a Roof Inspection with a Professional Roofer: If you can see signs of roof hail damage, you should call in a reputable roofing company right away. The roofer can inspect your property and determine the extent of the damage. If you are unable to check the roof yourself, you should also call to schedule a roofing inspection to assess for signs of roof hail damage. It’s always best to have a professional perform your roof inspection, as they are trained and experienced to locate any signs of damage and recommend the best repair strategies for you.
  3. Contact Your Insurance Company: We recommend contacting our Discount Roof team before your insurance company so that we can help you file your claim correctly. This ensures you receive the most accurate payout for your roof hail damage. Or, we can prevent you from filing an unnecessary claim if we are certain that insurance won’t cover your problem. In addition, we have an established relationship with most home insurance companies, and they trust our judgment on your home’s hail damage.

Once a hail storm has passed through your area, it’s essential to quickly check your property for hail damage. Even the smallest cracks can lead to a leaky roof, which can cause mold growth and structural damage for your home. To make sure your home is protected, check your property, call in the professionals, and file an insurance claim for any roof hail damage on your property.

Overview

Hail storms can be devastating to many properties across the U.S. If you have recently had a hail storm, you should suspect hail damage to your roof. Any type of roof can sustain hail damage, but certain factors (such as hailstone size, wind speed, and roof integrity) can contribute to more serious complications. Roof damage can present as cracks, holes, dents, leaks, granule destruction, and more. If you suspect your roof has sustained hail damage, try to visually inspect your roof, then call in the professionals and file an insurance claim. Keep your property protected by acting quickly after a hail storm!

Contact Your Trusted Roofer Today for a Hail Damage Roof Inspection!

If you suspect your roof has taken damage from a hail storm or you are concerned about the condition of your roof overall, call Discount Roof today! We deliver the most honest, reliable roof inspections in Indiana. In addition, we can help you to work with your insurance regarding any roof hail damage claims. With Discount Roof, you can be confident that you are receiving the best roof inspection in the industry.

Contact Discount Roof today for a roofing inspection, roof repair estimate, or to schedule your roof repair or replacement. We’re here to help!