If you’ve been unlucky enough to have your home struck by hail, you may be wondering what to do next. Hail can cause a great deal of damage to roofs, and it’s important to know how to identify hail damage and how to go about repairing it or getting your roofing system replaced. In this blog post, we will discuss hail damage on shingles and what homeowners can do if their roof is damaged by hail. We will also discuss key items to keep in mind if you’ve suffered damage and how to get the best result in a scenario where your roofing system has been damaged by hail.
What does hail damage look like on a roof?
Hail damage is usually easy to spot on a roof. It appears as circular or oval-shaped depressions in the shingles, often with cracks radiating out from the center of the hailstone impact. The granules on asphalt shingles are also generally dislodged, exposing the underlying shingle substrate. In some cases, a homeowner may begin recognizing significant amount of granules coming out of their downspouts after a hail event. Homeowners should recognize that these shingle granules exist to provide a layer of protection for the shingle itself and should be on the shingle and not on the ground. This is tell-tale sign to look for.
Here are some examples of hail damage on shingles in the pictures below:
Hail Damage on Shingles
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- Hail Damage on Shingles
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- Hail Damage Up Close on Shingle
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- Hail Damage on Shingle Multiple Strikes
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- Hail Damage on Shingle Up Close Detailed Picture
What should you do if your roof is damaged by hail?
If you suspect that hail has damaged your roof, one of the first things you should do is contact a reputable and experienced roofing contractor in your area. Good Shepherd Roofing, and similarly reputable and highly rated roofing contractors that enjoy great customer testimonials, are a wonderful choice. Good Shepherd Roofing works with all insurance companies and can be a great first call if you believe that you have suffered hail damage on shingles on your home. One of the things that a reputable roofing contractor will be able to do is properly assess the damage, the scope of the damage, take pictures and recommend next steps for repair or replacement. IF you think you have damage contact us and let’s setup a free inspection to better assess the condition of your roof.
Follow the below form and fill out a couple quick pieces of information and we will get you setup for a free inspection.
How to tell if you have hail damage on shingles without getting on a ladder.
If you can’t get on a ladder or don’t feel comfortable doing so, there are still ways to check for hail damage on your shingles. In fact, Good Shepherd Roofing would recommend customers don’t get on a ladder to inspect their roof due to the risks involved in inspecting a roofing system. If you’re interested to know if you have damage here are a couple things that you can do.
Look for any dents or divots in the shingles, as well as any cracks or missing granules. This can often times be seen from the ground. Sometimes a homeowner may notice a reflection or a glint of light off of the shingle during periods of extreme sun. This can occur when the shingle itself has been damaged and the sun is now hitting directly upon the filaments and substrate elements of the shingle. This shouldn’t happen and can be a sign to the homeowner that their shingles are deteriorated or have suffered damage during an extreme weather event. Another thing to look for is a heavy amount of granules coming out of the downspouts around the house. These granules, particularly after a hail event, may be dislodged and appear in heavy amounts in the rain water discharge that comes out of the downspouts.
It’s important to remember that significant hail damage is most often times covered by homeowners insurance, so it’s important to have an experienced roofing contractor inspect your home and handle the process after a heavy storm event. A contractor will be adept at properly diagnosing the extent of the damage and recommending the best course of action, whether it be repair or replacement.
Check for Water Leaks
If you think you have had hail damage, it’s important to check for water leaks. Look for any water stains on your ceilings or walls, as well as any mold or mildew growth. If you find any of these signs, contact a roofing contractor right away. They will be able to properly diagnose the damage and prevent further water damage from occurring.
Inspect the Gutters & Downspouts
As mentioned earlier, there are many things that can be done by a homeowner without climbing up a ladder. One of these to-do items can be doing a visual inspection of your gutters after a hail storm. Look for any dents, cracks, or missing pieces. Good Shepherd Roofing during an inspection will utilize chalk and run the chalk over gutters and downspouts in areas where we believe deformities or dents are present. The chalk will provide a visual indicator of a hail strike and help us confirm the existence of a large spread hail event that could have caused damage to your home.
The bottom line is that hail damage can be devastating to your home. Spending a few minutes looking for visual indicators to damage that may have occurred can be a great way to ensure the longevity of your home and ensure that you act quickly to save your roofing system from potential issues like leaks.
What does hail damage do the life of your roofing system?
Hail damage will most definitely shorten the life of your roofing system by weakening the shingles and making them more susceptible to wind and water damage. It’s important to have hail damage repaired as soon as possible by a skilled roofing contractor.
Should you file an insurance claim for hail damage on shingles of your home?
Hail damage many times will be covered by your homeowner’s insurance, so it’s important to have an experienced roofing contractor inspect your home after a hail storm. They will be able to properly diagnose the extent of the damage and recommend the best course of action, whether it be repair or replacement. Thanks for reading! We hope this blog post was helpful in understanding what to do if your home suffers hail damage. Stay safe out there!
If you have any questions or would like a free roof inspection, please contact our office today. Our experienced roofing contractors would be happy to help you repair or replace your hail-damaged roof. Stay safe during hail season!
