Hail Damage to Roofs: When do you need repairs?
How to tell if your roof has sustained any hail damage?
Hail affects various types of roofing differently and the amount of damage sustained can depend on factors like the severity of the storm, wind speeds, roof materials, age of the roof, and more.
Hail damage can be hard to spot from the ground but there are few tell-tale signs, you can look for on the ground before calling in the experts.
- Dented gutters, downspouts, or gutter screens: Even small dents can be indicators that your roof has suffered some damage from hail.
- Clogged gutters: Granules displaced from shingles due to hail damage can clog up your gutters.
- Signs of impact on sidings and windowsills and casings: Damage to any exposed metal surfaces can indicate severe damage to the roof.
- Damage to outdoor items: Sheds, swings, and patios can all suffer from hail damage as can your air conditioner, which may qualify for insurance replacement.
- Damage to decking: Check any wooden surface-like decking for signs of damage.
Once you have established that you probably do have some hail damage and may require roof repairs, it’s time to get on to the roof for an inspection or to call in the professionals.
What does hail damage look like on a roof?
Hail damage on the roof can look cosmetic but may have severe repercussions if not repaired in the long run. Slate shingles can show the most obvious damage as they may break, come loose, or appear cracked.
Damage to asphalt roofs is immediately obvious if you have received hail that is over an inch in diameter. You’ll see obvious places on the shingles where the granules have been knocked off, tears at the ends, or splits in the shingles. Small hailstones, especially when coupled with high wind speeds, can cause serious damage although such hail damage may not be obvious to the untrained eye. Hail impact marks on roofs are difficult to spot but can lead to roof leaks. This is because although the hail damage looks minimal, it still compromises the integrity of the shingle. The protective coating is lost, and the underlying asphalt can crack with prolonged exposure to sunlight. Repairing hail roof damage as soon as possible can help you avoid larger problems in the future.