Roof Hail Damage

Roof Hail Damage

It’s no secret that the bulk of roof repairs result from hail damage. Roof materials typically hold up well against high winds, heavy rains and varying temperatures. However, it’s hail that consistently wreaks havoc on a home’s defense system. To prevent repeat repairs or a replacement, have any roof hail damage checked out as soon as possible.

How to recognize roof hail damage

• Check exterior metal objects for dents—AC unit, mailbox, siding, etc.
• Inspect the gutters for dents and shingle debris
• Skim your roof for uneven and/or worn shingles

It’s difficult to convince yourself of a roof inspection if you have no proof of damage. Hail damage is not generally easy to find, but there are a few ways to track it.

First, check around your house rather than atop it. Objects like the air conditioning unit and the mail box (if metal) can reveal hail damage. You’ll see dents left by the hail. If the hail was strong enough to dent your AC unit then it was likely strong enough to do some damage to your roof.

As you aline your ladder to climb onto your roof, inspect the gutters. Just as with your air conditioner, the gutters can reveal damage by dent. You’ll be inching closer to any possible harm to the top of your house.

Also with gutters, look for little beads of asphalt (if you have an asphalt roof). Beads will be a sure sign of at least one worn shingle, as they will have detached from the shingle. You can then try to identify which shingle is worn once you are on top of your roof.

Finally, you’re standing on top of your roof. Here, examine any metal fascia throughout the roof, perhaps the flashing around the chimney or the metal vents. More of the same… you’ll be looking for dents.

Afterwards, look over your roof shingles as deliberately as you can. Run your hand over them to feel whether any shingle is uneven and keep a lookout for any worn shingles. A shingle damaged by hail will either have the look of a thumb indention or it will reveal the plywood from underneath.

Hail impact differs depending on the roofing material

Asphalt roofs are quite strong against hail. That’s one of the reasons the material is used so commonly throughout Allen, TX homes. Asphalt is tough to crack, but it will indent, and if the same spot gets hit dozens of times, you could be looking through a hole in your roof.

Metal is among the strongest materials against hail. While it will dent, it’s nearly impossible for hail to penetrate the surface. You may need a few dents repaired if you want your metal roof to keep its glamour; however, durability is something you won’t have to worry about.

Wood, clay and concrete roofs are most susceptible to cracking. In terms of likelihood, the same order (first mentioned to last mentioned) applies. The type of wood matters. You have your cedar, your strong cedar and your redwood, among others. Talk to the roofing experts to determine which wood is most durable.

Concrete roofs are becoming more and more popular. In some ways, they’ve overtaken the option of a clay roof. The roof types are very strong. They can crack, but it would take the impact of many large hailstones to do so.

Slate is the superman of roofing materials. Its characteristics are the best of the best; therefore, you shouldn’t panic when a hail storm rolls through. Does that mean you should never inspect, or have your slate roof inspected? No. Damage is possible.

What factors into hail damage?

The extent of hail impact factors in the size of the stone, the density of the stone, the stone’s velocity, shape and angle, and the wind speed at the time of the hail storm. Not that any of that matters to you. All you care about his what damage was caused and how you can fix it, rightly so.

Still, those factors give you an idea of how violent a hail storm can be. Imagine 40 mph winds with golf ball-sized hail headed straight for your home. Chances are those rockets of frozen rain will do some damage.

Roofs are built very sturdily, and today’s innovative materials account for heavy and frequent hail. Summit Roof can install hail-resistant shingles. While there is no such thing as hail-proof shingles, our hail-resistant ones are designed to soften hail impacts.

The coming months are the ideal time to prep your roof for storm season. Frankly, many people will share the same idea, so be sure to contact a roofing company very soon before they are booked too far out. Have an expert come out to do an inspection and complete any needed repairs before the heavy storms begin to pop up in late April/early May.

What damage can be caused?

Roof hail damage can be minor, major, and anywhere in between. It all depends on how bad you allow the damage to get. The most severe damages include flooding and roof collapse. If water meets electric wiring, you’re looking at another serious matter.

The chances of any of those things taking place is extremely small; however, the possibilities should awaken you to the importance of a healthy roof.

Most negative outcomes point to moisture, whether it pours into your home or leaks into it. Any holes in your roof will allow rain to get through, resulting in mold and rot.

Also, a weak roof will have a difficult time insulating your home. Outside heat or cold will filter through and you won’t have as great of control over your indoor temperatures as you once did. Your AC or heater will be forced to work harder in order to make up for outside air intrusion. As a result, the units will not last as long and your energy bills will rise.

Lastly, and perhaps the least threatening of roof hail damage, the visual appeal of your roof may suffer. It’s not a good look when shingles are popping out of place or curling. You want your roof to look great as a whole; you don’t want it to be ruined by a few damaged shingles.

When to file an insurance claim

If your Allen, TX roof hail damage is extensive enough, it may be time for a roof replacement. The good news is you will have the opportunity to file a claim with your insurance company to have it covered. The claim should stand if you have proof of damage and cost. You can easily obtain that proof through an inspection/estimate from a professional roofing contractor.

File the claim before you have someone come to inspect your roof. Reason being, some insurance companies require a representative from their staff to inspect it. Or, they will send a licensed contractor that they have within their network. That is not always the case though. Most insurance companies will approve a contractor as long as he/she is licensed.

It’s important that you don’t wait too long to file the claim, however. Many insurance companies have a statute of limitations pertaining to how long you have to file a claim after the damage occurs. That being the case, it’s a good idea to have your roof checked after a major storm.

The contractor will mark every bit of damage. He/she will also take pictures for documentation purposes. Once the inspection is complete, you will be advised of the total cost for repair or replacement.

The process goes very smoothly if your hire a roofing contractor that deals directly with your insurance company. Having the two experienced sides discuss the important matters will result in a quicker payment and quicker replacement.

Summit Roof

To have roof hail damage repaired, give Summit Roof Service a call! Our business exists to make your roof look nice and function properly. We’ll come to your home or business and complete a free inspection. We’ll show you the hail damage that we found, and we’ll tell you how we’ll fix it. It’s essential that your roof is ready to take on the next hail storm that comes its way.

To learn more about our services and products, please go to https://summitroof.com. You can also visit our blog to gain extensive knowledge on shingle types, roof repair and roof replacement.

Don’t let your hail damage get out of hand! Call (972) 715-1655!