Hail Storm Roof Damage
Hail’s Effects on Roofs and Hail Resistant Roofing Options
Colorado’s Front Range has the ominous nick name “Hail Alley.” Hail Alley receives the largest hail more frequently than anywhere else in North America and most of the world. Residents in Hail Valley can count on at least three damaging hail storms each year. Hail causes serious property damage each year. In the last decade, hail has caused more than $3 billion in insured damage in Colorado alone.
Common Types of Roof Damage
The signs of a damaged roof are different and depend on the kind of roof you have. Here are a few of the most common types of roof damage.
1. Cracks and tears as we get older, the roof constructed of shingles or tiles may begin to crack. Cracks could lead to leaks in the attic , or the crawlspace. Cracks may not always be visible from the ground. Some cracks can be too tiny to detect without careful inspection.
2. Hail Damage – When the weather is bad in your area it is often difficult to determine the extent of the hail damage that your roof has sustained. You don’t need to climb on top of your roof to determine whether there is damage. There are different ways to assess the severity of damage. Check your gutters for dings and dents. If hail damaged your gutters it is likely that there is hail damage to your roof. You should also check the drain spouts in your home. Black mineral deposits will appear around the downspouts of roofs that have been damaged.
3. Wind Damage – The stress levels of wind are higher around the roof’s corners. The force of wind can cause the roof to become loose around the corners. Once the roof is pulled up by the wind, it can cause the roof to fall down, showing its underneath. Rain and hail can move in and the looser the roof, the more the wind can grasp on to it, causing it to fall off. The flying debris is another type of wind damage. This debris can create obstructions to drain pipes and lead to flooding.
4. Debris – The accumulation of debris could cause damage to all parts of the roof’s drainage system, from the gutters and downspouts to the drainage openings. The leaves and other organic debris could cause fungal growth and even black spots on your roof. This kind of debris could create moss that can shorten a roofs life by holding moisture in concentrated areas on the roof. In addition dependent on the climate that your home is in, this moisture could freeze.
Hail Roof Damage – What to Look For
You must be able recognize hail damage on your roof in order to submit a claim to the insurance company. You must be able recognize hail damage in just one glance. If you are aware of what to look for, you can survey your own roof for a quick look. If you’re certain that hail damage has been caused to your roof, contact your insurance provider to have them send an expert to survey your roof.
- Gutters And Vents
According to experts, gutter down spouts are a great location to search for evidence of damage, as are the vents. After a hailstorm it’s a good idea to walk around and inspect these places.
- Granules
Asphalt granules refer to asphalt shingles which have been taken off. If you’ve recently had an entirely new roof, you might get fragments of roofing until the roof wears in. What you need to be looking for is an over quantity, far more than the normal.
- Dings
If hail is so strong to cause a nick in our gutters made of metal by cutting them in half, it’s possible that it will also harm your roof.
- Walk Your Roof
Make sure you are sure it’s secure. What you’re looking for are tiny dings. It is not necessary to see more than one per square foot. Your roof needs to be replaced. When damaged, moisture could cause your shingles deteriorate and start to let flood water into your home.
Causes of Roof Damage
Your roof is a crucial component of your home. There are a myriad of things that could affect the roof’s ability to do the things it was intended to do. These issues are not visible without professional inspections by those who have been trained to spot those problems. Roof damage can lead to costly and more long-lasting issues for your home if it is not discovered.
How to Repair Roof Damage From Storms
To repair storm damage to your roofing, the initial thing you need to do is to determine what is causing it. Taking a quick look over it will tell you whether or not you will require new support beams, or if you need to replace is some loose shingles. It is an excellent idea to inspect the attic for structural damage. In the majority of cases, there will not be any. However, in extreme weather with flying debris and hail, there may be some damage.
Hail Storm Roof Damage FAQs
Protecting the structural integrity of your roofing system should be a top priority, as it is one of the most important aspects of any fundamental home maintenance and repair agenda. As soon as your roof begins to show signs of damage or reduced performance, it is wise to contact a licensed roofing company who can locate the source of the damage and make any professional repairs or adjustments as needed. The sooner you catch a roof problem and deal with it, the less costly and invasive the repair process will be. This includes professional post-storm inspections to ensure your property is still intact.
Since most homeowners are not roofing experts, it is common to have a lot of questions and concerns when it comes time to repair a roof. Continue below to read some frequently asked questions about roof repair and replacement to gain a better understanding of your roofing system’s needs after a harsh storm.
- If There is Only a Small Amount of Damage, Should I Still Repair My Roof?
Even if you only have a small amount of damage, you must have it repaired to protect the true structural integrity of your roofing system. Neglecting to repair small damages can lead to costlier ones down the line, like water damage.
- Will My Insurance Carrier Drop Me if I File a Roof Repair Claim?
Since storm damage is something that is mostly out of your control, it is very unlikely that your homeowners’ insurance carrier will drop your policy. In fact, it is illegal for them to do so in most states. It is possible that there are exceptions to this rule, but in most cases, your policy will not be canceled for filing a storm damage repair claim.
- Will My Insurance Carrier Increase My Rates if I File a Roof Repair Claim?
It is common for insurance carriers to raise everyone’s rates across the board after a severe storm or natural disaster. One way to look at this is that you should file a claim for repair since you are already going to help pay for everyone else’s. It is possible that there are exceptions to this rule as well.
- Why is My New Roof Not Covered By the Manufacturer’s Warranty?
It is very common for roof product manufacturers to exclude hail repairs in their warranties. In fact, several warranties specifically name hail as a non-covered repair. Keep in mind that newer roofs are more prone to hail damage since they have not yet had ample time to cure and gain resistance against the natural elements. To avoid this problem, talk to a trusted contractor about the affordable hail damage protection options available to you.
- Do I Have Storm Damage if All My Shingles are Still Intact?
Missing shingles are not the only indication of storm damage. A storm can cause all sorts of problems for a roof, many of which are undetectable at first glance. For this reason, it is important to understand that your roof may still have been damaged in a severe storm even if it looks like it is in the same condition as before.
