How to Detect and Repair Hail Damage to your Roof
It’s an often forgotten part of our houses, but it is still one of the most important parts. Some might say it is the most important part. We don’t think about it until something goes wrong. For years everything is fine, but when leaks start we can think about little else besides our roofs. Hail can be one of the most significant causes of damage to this important part of our home’s structure. We save in the long run if before we ever have a problem we educate ourselves about detecting and repairing hail damage to roofs.
On the market today you may see some companies advertising hail proof roofs. Be warned that there is no such thing as a completely hail proof roof. Different types of roofs may hold up better to hail than other types of roofs, but none are completely invulnerable to the frozen rain. The two most widely used residential roofing materials, composite and asphalt, are both susceptible to damages. Every homeowner should be able to detect the signs of hail damage.
Before a homeowner even begins to examine a roof for hail damage, and preferably long before a hailstorm is encountered, the homeowner will know the insurance company’s policies on hail damage. Different insurance companies have different policies. Some allow for a claim to be filed up to a year after a hailstorm, and some companies do not allow the full year. It is best to know this information before a hailstorm, or at least call the insurance company as soon as possible after the storm.
Asphalt shingles often times are hard for people to detect hail damage. A common misbelief people have is that if there are no shingles missing there is no damage. This is not the case though. High wind is what causing missing shingles while damage from hail is harder to see.
Pay attention during the storm, and if you believe the storm caused any damage to your house take pictures while hail is still on the ground. Having the date present on the photograph can be useful. You should also include a picture of you entire roof in one shot. Never throw these pictures away even if you feel like no damage actually occurred. If problems come up later from the storm, these pictures will be helpful.
The following day, or after the roof has had time to dry and all water has run off the roof, inspect the area near where the gutters drain. Look for an abundance of the granules that cover the asphalt shingles. Every few days the homeowner will need to climb onto the roof and look for weathered areas on the roof. If hail damage has occurred, the hail will have loosened the granules from the asphalt shingles, these areas will begin to take on a weathered look. Photograph these areas.
Once you find evidence of hail damage in the form of weathered hailstone size spots on your shingles, it is time to get a professional opinion concerning detecting and repairing hail to roofs. Many roofing companies offer free inspections. A homeowner can combine a professional’s inspection report with the photographs and submit the material to an insurance company.
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