A lot of us love a rainy day inside our homes. Cozy, cloudy and worthy of binging your favorite show. However, it all changes when a hailstorm is at bay. At that moment, it’s hard not to think about the chaos potential it can cause. Especially to our roof.
With that said, what does roof hail damage look like? Could we be blaming mother nature when in fact it’s the neighbor’s racoon that did it🦝?
Here, we will show you how to identify spot roof hail damage and the steps for fixing them.
Keep reading – this might even save you expensive repairs 🤑 in the future.
What Does Roof Hail Damage Look Like?
While all you may feel is disappointment when looking at a damaged roof, depending on what caused it, you may learn who or what was the culprit of it.
Cracks on the Shingles
Hailstorms can lead to significant cracks on the shingles, an evident sign of roof damage. Heavy hailstones or high winds pelt at your home’s surface, primarily causing these visible fissures🩹.
The onslaught can be forceful enough to also cause circular cracks and even tear off pieces from the roof. Over time, these imperfections expose the underlying fiberglass mat and may result in fracturing.
Furthermore, asphalt shingles bear the most brunt as they display glaring signs such as torn, missing or fractured elements after a storm has passed. Eventually, these weakened areas serve as entry points for various forms of moisture like rain and snow, precipitating more extensive —and costly— damages if left unchecked.
Fractured or Broken Shingles
Hail can damage your roof, especially causing fractures or breaks in the shingles. The vicious impact of hailstones sends shockwaves through the shingle, disrupting its integrity💥.
These may appear as small or large cracks that extend throughout the entire structure of the shingle. Even more concerning, repeated assault from hailstones can lead to missing pieces of your roof due to torn and broken roof shingles.
Over time, these cumulative impacts subtly change the appearance and function of a damaged roof’s shingles. The fiberglass mat beneath them begins to crack under this stress – a hidden ailment only revealed with careful inspection after a storm.
This evolving process is one way how hailstone impact alters not just look but also functionality, making it essential that homeowners act swiftly when they notice fractured or broken shingles on their roofs.
Dents or Impact Marks
Hailstorms can cause significant dents or impact marks on roofs, resulting in noticeable damage. These typically appear as rounded divots 🔵across the roof’s surface. Dented areas indicate direct hits from hailstones and might be associated with more severe damage underneath the outer layers of roofing materials.
The size and depth of these dents hinge significantly on the size of the hailstones that struck your roof. Siding, gutters or asphalt shingles may show small dings after a hailstorm due to their absorption properties.
If you want to keep your loved ones, and wallet, safe regular inspection to spot these damages early are crucial in the long run.
Cosmetic Damage
Hail damage to a roof can result in cosmetic damage, which includes broken edges, bruises, punctures, and granule loss. This kind of damage may not affect the roof’s functionality but it makes you stop bragging about how good it looks💅.
The severity of cosmetic hail damage can vary depending on the size and intensity of the hailstones.
It is important to address all of these issues promptly as they can compromise the longevity and performance of your roof.
How to Fix Roof Hail Damage
So, you decided to take it upon yourself and repair your roof hail damage. Acting quickly and considering replacement options for severe damage is crucial.
Here are all the steps you should take to fix your roof in our blog.
Step 1: Assess the Damage 🩹
While you may be eager to grab your tools and start hammering, you must begin with a thorough inspection to assess the extent of the hail damage. Identifying all affected areas is crucial to determine the appropriate repair methods.
Look for dents, cracks, and other visible signs of damage on the roof’s shingles, gutters, and other parts 🏚️
Step 2: Document the Damage
Take clear 🤳 photographs of all damaged areas. Documenting the damage is essential for insurance purposes.
Make detailed notes describing the extent and severity of the damage, including the number of damaged shingles, affected areas, and any structural damage.
Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Company
Reach out to your insurance company to report the hail damage. Provide them with documented 🗎 evidence of the damage, including photographs and detailed notes.
The insurer may send an adjuster to inspect and assess the cost of repairs.
Step 4: Temporary Repairs 🛠️
While waiting for the insurance adjuster or professional repair services, consider making temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
This can include covering broken or damaged areas with tarps or plywood.
Step 5: Hire a Roofing Contractor 👷♀️
Choose a reliable and experienced roofing contractor to handle the repairs. Ensure they are licensed, insured, and have positive reviews. Get a written estimate and discuss the timeline for the repairs.
Step 6: Repairing the Damage
The roofing contractor will replace damaged shingles, repair structural damage, and restore the roof to optimal condition.
The extent and method of repairs will depend on the severity of the damage.
Step 7: Prevention Measures
Consider implementing measures to mitigate future hail damage.
This can include installing hail-resistant roofing materials, adding protective layers to existing materials, or installing impact-resistant skylights and siding.
Elite Siding and Roofing Tends to Your Roofing Needs
Roof hail damage can manifest in various ways. Cracks and fractures on the shingles, dents or impact marks on the roof, and cosmetic damage are all signs to look out for.
If you’re confident in wanting your roof repaired, but not entirely confident in your abilities🤷🏻♀️, at Elite Siding and Roofing we pride ourselves on our commitment to getting the job done. The team has years of experience in roof repair and with just a call you can get back to brag about how good it looks.