How Hail Can Damage A Roof
Hail isnt a common occurrence in the Pacific Northwest, but we are occasionally inconvenienced by it. Small-sized hail that comes in quick bursts rarely does damage, so when should you be worried about the roof on your home in Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, or Tacoma? Lets learn a little more.
For hail to be destructive to your roof, many factors are at play. First, hail that is larger than one inch in diameter is the most destructive.
You also must take into consideration the condition of your roof, how long the hailstorm lasts, and the materials of which your roof is made.
Condition of your Roof
If your roof is already past its prime, hail that is half an inch to three-quarters of an inch can cause asphalt shingles to tear, or simply wear very quickly. The larger hail can cause the protective granules on your roof to wear off.
The Big Ones
Any hailstorm that produces hail that is bigger than an inch can cause significant damage to your roof and are large enough to damage asphalt roof shingles and in cases where the impact speed is too much can cause dents to metal roofs or can even break the tiles on your roof that may be made of slate or other materials.
Materials Matter
Asphalt shingles are more susceptible to hailstorms, while cedar shake roofs can withstand hail that is one-and-a-quarter inches.
Duration
Speed and Intensity
The speeds at which hailstones can impact can vary from 20 mph to 130 mph based on their size.
What Should You Do After Filing A Hail Damage Roof Insurance Claim
After working with your public adjuster to file a claim, youll want to contact some experience contractors to give you estimates for repairs or a possible replacement roof.
They will help you find experienced ones who can give you estimates for repairs and help to determine how much work needs to be done, or whether the roof needs to be completely replaced.
The contractors and your public adjuster will also help develop a timeline for repairs so you know how long itll be before you can fully use your property again.
Your adjuster will also work out a timeline for potential payouts so you can figure out your finances accordingly also keep in mind that you may be able to recoup some interim costs if your home or commercial property is uninhabitable for a period of time .
Damaged Gutters And Roof Vents
Since gutters and roof vents are usually made out of metal, you can usually spot damage the same way that you would on a metal roof look for dents. On any kind of gutter, look to see if its become detached from the roof at all or seems to be sagging. These are signs that the gutters need to be replaced or repaired.
Has your roof been damaged by hail? Do you want to get an expert to inspect the roof for you? In either case, call Acme Roof Systems. Theyve got over 20 years of experience inspecting and repairing hail-damaged roofs.
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Imitation Hail Damage On A Roof
Its important to correctly identify the type of roof damage so the best action plan can be put into place, which may involve warranty and insurance claims. An experienced roofing professional should be able to differentiate hail damage from other types of roof damage, such as
- Blistering and cracking caused by UV degradation from the sun,
- Scuffing damage from when shingles were installed
- Wind and debris defacement, and
- Worn-out shingles
Once the damage is identified, your roofing contractor canprovide an estimate and advise on the next steps to getting your roof repairedor replaced.
What Should You Do If You Suspect Hail Damage
If you suspect that your roof has been damaged by a recent hailstorm, your next step should be to have a roof inspection performed. At Trinity Roofing and Construction, we are certified to provide professional, thorough roof inspections that catch most if not all hail damage that may have impacted your home. After we perform our inspection, we will make repair recommendations based on our findings.
If you have any questions about hail damage or need to schedule a free roof inspection, call 410-4090.
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Detecting Damage To An Asphalt Shingle Roof
While asphalt is one of the most popular roofing materials due to its durability and versatility, it can be prone to damage especially from continuous direct hits from hail. Asphalt is subjected to other types of wear such as foot traffic, blister rash, or storm damage making it important to be able to distinguish between those types of damage and hail damage.
- An obvious sign of hail damage is visible on the metal flashing bordering the roof. After a hailstorm, the flashing may show a series of dents in the material.
- The area around downspouts and in the gutters may show evidence of mineral granules that have become detached from the asphalt shingles or rolled roofing. Keep in mind, this may be due to hail or from other issues.
- The direction of the hailstorm is another indicator of where the most damage may be apparent on the roof. With an asphalt covering, the area where the granules have been affected the most will expose the shingle substrate.
- The asphalt material may also show signs of round-shaped, tear-drop shaped, or pitted spots where the hail impacted the roof.
- Damaged or bruised shingles, if not replaced, will eventually become water absorbent funneling water to the underlayment and decking beneath the roofing material.
- Hail also causes cracks within the asphalt shingles and as time passes, water leakage is imminent.
Begin Your Roof Repair Today
Avoid Letting Hidden Hail Damage Affect The Value And Safety Of Your Home
The truth about hail damage is that it really can happen anywhere there is a threat for severe thunderstorms, and itâs getting more and more common than you think.
Hail causes about $1 billion in damage to crops and property each year, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration . These costs are rising in the U.S. because homes are getting bigger, from about 1,700 square feet in the early 1980s to 2,500 square feet in 2015, said Ian Giammanco, a research meteorologist for the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety.
In addition to larger home sizes, homes are being built closer together, causing more homes to be damaged by fewer storms.
2018 is expected to be the 11th year in a row in which the damage from severe storms exceeds $10 billion in the United States, and 70% of that cost comes from hail, said Giammanco.
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Identifying Hail Damage To Your Roof
With summer and early fall comes bright, sunny skies, but also, bouts of fearsome weather. Is your home protected against roof hail damage?
As it turns out, there are some noticeable signs that can tell you if your roof has been damaged by hail, is at risk or both! Check out this blog, so you can identify hail damage thats been done to your roof and make an informed decision about when to have it replaced.
Repairing Roof Damage From Hail
Repairing hail damage can be difficult because the area may seem like its in good condition however, professionals who are familiar with different types of roofing materials will know how to identify problems.
Its important you hire a reputable company for your roof repair needs after hailstorms this is especially true if youve had any damage to your home. Its also good to ask your insurance company for a coverage on hailstorm damages.
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How To Spot Hail Damage After A Storm
There are a few tell-tale signs that homeowners can look for if hail came through and they suspect damage to their roof or siding. If you notice any of the following, call Northface Construction for a more comprehensive inspection and to get a repair estimate.
- Missing, broken, or cracked shingles. These should be pretty easy to spot as they are leaving open areas on your roof or cause a break in the straight line of your installed shingles.
- Changes in color can indicate where granules have been knocked off. These spots will be darker because they are exposing the tar shingle underneath that protective layer.
- Granules in your gutters or at the bottom of your downspout. Another sign that granules have been knocked off your roof during a hail storm is if they made their way into your gutters and out with the water at the end of your downspouts.
- If your gutters are clogged with hail remnants or debris, thats a good sign your roof got pummeled with hail large enough to clog your gutters, thus large enough to cause damage.
- Water spots in your attic can indicate a severe leak caused by hail blowing off or cracking your shingles. Checking the attic can be much easier and safer than getting up on your roof to check.
Why Is Hail Damage Bad For A Roof
Every winter, hail damage, costs Minneapolis residents millions of dollars in damages. If there was a way to count all of the damages that occur after hail damage goes undetected or is allowed to worsen over time, the costs would be even higher.
While most people arent trained to climb on a roof safely and inspect for damages, we wanted to answer the question, Why is Hail Damage Bad for a Roof? to educate you about some of the long term damages that hail damaged roofs can cause, and give you some easy roof hail damage inspection tips so that you can protect your home if you believe that you may have been the victim of hail damage.
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The Next Steps Towards Filing A Hail Damage Insurance Claim For Your Roof
Get estimates if it is determined that repairs or even a complete replacement is needed.
Know that many insurance companies will require a certain amount or rate of hail damage for example, 8 plus hits or damage spots on the roof with a 10-foot by 10-foot square area on at least three separate spots on the roof in order to cover the costs of a new roof.
If you are inspecting your own roof to start with, you should use some chalk to mark each damaged spot so the actual inspector or contractors you are working with can find them, and take pictures or video as well.
These images will be especially helpful for your public adjuster.
Note that your safety is paramount and you should never start making these small repairs or climbing up on your roof until the hail storm is over and youve ensured that the area is secure.
If youre not sure, you should wait and contact your public adjuster and theyll help you find professionals who are familiar with hail damage and other issues that can occur after hail storms.
Of course, the type of payout you can get varies by different roof types, your insurance policy, and the extent of the damage in each spot.
This type of knowledge and assistance is where your public adjuster can be particularly valuable.
They can help decide whether there is enough damage to make a hail damage claim on your roof.
What Size Hail Causes Roof Damage
On average, it takes a 1″ or above diameter hail stone to cause damage to common asphalt shingles. When referring to hail sizes, here are a few common objects to compare:
- Pea = 1/4-inch in diameter
- Dime or penny = 3/4-inch in diameter
- Nickel = 7/8-inch
- Golf Ball = 1½ inches
- Tennis Ball = 2½ inches
- Baseball = 2¾ inches
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When To Call In A Professional Contractor For Your Hail Damaged Roof
If you arent sure if your roof needs repair work or you arent comfortable performing the repairs yourself, thats when its time to call in a professional contractor and talk to your public adjuster about getting it covered.
You may also want to consider your insurance coverage and how the policy is worded regarding fixes that you may perform yourself as an amateur versus repairs done by an official professional.
Know that a professional contractor will have their own liability insurance in case anything goes wrong as well, so errors you make may be harder to get covered or more complicated to fix in the future.
And if you have any questions about the process of fixing your damaged roof after a hail storm or other weather event, you should call your public adjuster they are your best advocate and can help you navigate the tricky areas of not only dealing with a hail damaged roof, but help to ensure that the repairs or replacement roof and any associated damage is covered by insurance if and when applicable.
How Can I Protect My Roof From Hail Damage
Even though your roof is your first line of defense against the harsh winter elements, and roofing systems are designed to protect you from impact resistance and other environmental factors, nothing lasts forever. However, there are a few things that you can do to ensure that your roof is as prepared as possible to withstand the winter beatings from hail in Minneapolis
- Know the Facts When most homeowners make a decision about the type of roof that they want to be installed, most of them are unaware that they are deciding on something that will affect their roofs performance. But according to this study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, some impact-resistant shingles perform better than others. In this study, ATLAS StormMaster® Shake shingles were the most resistant to impact damages caused by hail.
- Hire a Reputable Contractor Hiring a reputable contractor will ensure that your roof is installed correctly and you get the most protection possible for your home. Sellers Roofing Company New Brighton has over 12 years vested in the roofing business. Click any of the buttons on our website to set up your free assessment!
- Take Damages Seriously If you think that your roof may be damaged by a recent hail storm, have a professional storm damage expert inspect your roof for signs of damage. One of the worst things that you could do is assume everything is ok when it comes to your homes protection.
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Best Factors To Consider With Hail Damage Waivers:
The cost of your metal roof If you have a large/expensive metal roof , its likely worth it to pay the extra insurance cost to protect it. and make sure it looks good and performs well for years to come. Insurance is intended to cover whats important to you, so if you have tens of thousands of dollars invested in a metal roof, you likely want to make sure its covered both cosmetically and structurally.
Where youre located and frequency of major hail events Again, your location significantly matters, as hail or wind storms are not prevalent in all areas of the United States. If you live in a place like Florida or California, hail damage waivers might not even come up in discussions with insurance providers. Or, if it does, you can feel more confident taking the cosmetic damage exclusion. However, if you live in places like Texas, Colorado, or Kansas, where the likelihood of cosmetic hail damage is higher, you might want to consider not signing a cosmetic hail exclusion waiver.
Roof exposure Every property has different features that might affect the likelihood of damage occurring from hail or wind. For example, if your home or building is beneath trees and could face cosmetic damage from falling branches during a wind event, you might want to avoid signing the exclusion. Or, if you live in an open area where hailstorms are relatively uncommon, signing the cosmetic damage waiver might make a little more sense.
Final Thoughts On Metal Roofing & Hail Damage
As you can tell, hail and wind damage on a metal roof can be a complex topic. Luckily, most hail and wind events are small and dont cause cosmetic or structural damage to metal roofing. However, its best to be prepared if you are in a region susceptible to intense hail or wind storms.
Here are some suggestions when considering insurance for your metal roof:
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How Does Hail Damage A Roof
Disclosure: We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Hailstorms may cause serious on a roof, causing extensive damage. A hailstone’s collision can bruise or fracture roofing shingles, causing water intrusion into your property. While you can’t always prevent hail damage, you may help minimize the amount of damage by detecting problems early, taking action to repair or replace your damaged roof as soon as feasible, and using Class 4 impact-resistant roofing shingles. But it’s important to know, how does hail damage a roof?
After a hailstorm, you might be thankful that your company was unscathed. There are a few dents in the roof and a few broken tree branches here and there, but your structure is still standing and will presumably fight another day. Unfortunately, many individuals are unaware that even a slight amount of hail damage can have significant long-term and expensive ramifications.
