While a hail storm can rip through quickly, it often leaves a significant trail of damage behind. Many signs of hail damage are obvious, such as broken windows or dented vehicles. But, how do you know if your roof suffered the same consequences?
Even if there aren’t large holes in your roof, there may be damage present that needs to be addressed. Often, it takes a professionally trained eye to identify the damage and repair it if needed.
This article will walk you through the steps you should take following a hail storm and how to proceed with any repairs.
How Hail Storm Damage Can Compromise Your Roof
The impact that a hail storm can have on your roof depends on the hail size, speed, wind, the roof’s material, the age of the home, and the slope of the roof. Here are some of the specific types of damages experienced:
Granule Loss
These are the sandpaper-like part of the shingles. When the granules are lost, the shingle is exposed to the elements leading to accelerated aging.
Shingle Cracks
Intense storms can cause cracks in the shingles. This can eventually lead to exposure and tears, resulting in bare spots on your roof.
Damaged Fiberglass Mat
Hail impact can shatter the shingle’s surface, causing it to separate from the fibreglass mat underneath. The fibreglass itself can also become fractured.
How to Check Your Roof for Storm Damage
While a proper roof inspection should be left to the professionals, you can always do a perfunctory check yourself following a storm. You can check for dents, depressions, missing shingles, and bent or detached flashing.
Using binoculars can help you see the roof better. If you can spot the damage from the ground, you will need to get in touch with one of the local roofing companies.
It can be useful to take photos of any remaining hail balls. You may need this later if an insurance claim is filed.
You should also check if there are dents in your gutters, downspouts, siding, or windowsills. This is often indicative of roof damage as well.
Signs of Hail Storm Damage on Your Roof
One of the first places to check when looking for signs of hail damage is your gutters. It is far easier to see your gutters than the roof itself. Severe hail that causes roof damage will most likely dent your gutters and downspouts.
Gutters will also fill up and become clogged due to shingle granules that came off when the hail hit. Blocked and overflowing gutters may indicate that your roof suffered.
You should also check your siding and your deck for damage. Both of these areas will be affected by an intense storm and are clear indicators of potential roof damage.
What to Do After Hail Storm Damage Impacts Your Roof
Contact a roofing company to conduct a formal roof inspection if you suspect you may have roof damage. A professional inspection will determine the degree of damage and if roof repairs are required. The roofing company should provide you with a detailed report to submit to your insurance company.
The next step would be to schedule the repairs. Even minor damage needs to be addressed. It can put your roof at risk of more serious problems in the future.
A Professional Roofing Company You Can Trust
If you have experienced a hail storm in the Sarasota, Florida area and are looking for a reputable roofing company to come and assess the damage, look no further. Gone Coastal Roofing & Building provides top-notch roofing services, and our friendly team would be happy to schedule an inspection.
You can call us or get a quote by visiting our website.
