Heavy storms may significantly impair storm-damaged roofs, so it’s critical to examine your top for damage indications frequently. Not only can hailstorm defects be expensive to fix, but they may also pose a safety risk if left unrepaired. This guide will provide tips for spotting and a roof inspection for hail damage.
Whether you’re a homeowner wanting to make any required repairs or an InterNACHI-certified professional doing roof hail damage and a home inspector, this hail damage roof inspection article will help you understand the many forms of cracks and how to evaluate their effect on your roof correctly.
How Do You Prove Hail Damage on a Roof?
There are various methods for proving hailstorm damage to a roof:
- Visual inspection: Look for storm damage on the roof and gutters, such as dents, bruising, or cracking on shingle or tile roofs.
- Taking photos. Take photographs of the roof from all angles, including close-ups of any flashing and drip edges deterioration.
- Report on hail roof damage: Have a competent roofing contractor or house inspector create a report outlining the amount and severity of the hailstorm wear and tear.
- Quotations for repair: Get estimates from a reliable roofing contractor.
- Insurance claim: If you have storm damage insurance, you may make a claim and send the documentation specified above to the homeowners insurance company.
It is critical to record defects from the weather as quickly as possible after the storm since the damage may become more difficult to prove over time in an insurance claim.
How Long Will a Roof Last after Hail Damage?
The degree of the defect and the kind of roofing material used determine the longevity of a roof following hailstorm damage. Generally, a roof with minimal storm defects may still have the same lifetime as a top without defects. However, if your rooftop has a more severe impairment, it may need to be repaired or replaced sooner.
If the impairment is mild and affects the top layer of the roofing material (such as the shingles), the roof might last 20-25 years or more. However, if the impairment is significant enough to harm the roof’s underlying structure (such as the decking or trusses), the roof may need to be repaired or completely replaced within a few years.
A professional roofing contractor should inspect the damaged roof and recommend the best action for your broken shingles, roof vents, etc. On some occasions, the rooftop may be repairable, but some homeowners need a roof replacement for their hail hits.
How Big Does Hail Need to Be to Damage a Roof?
The quantity of hail required to damage a roof is determined by several variables, including the roofing material used, its age, and the storm’s intensity. In general, hail must be at least the size of a quarter (1 inch in diameter) to inflict roof impairment. Conversely, minor hail might inflict harm if it falls with enough force or if the storm is violent.
Bigger hail (such as golf ball-sized hail or larger) is more likely to cause roof destruction, especially if the roof is older or composed of a softer, more fragile material such as asphalt shingles. In certain circumstances, hail may create severe damage, bruise, or shatter the roofing material, resulting in leaks and other problems.
Even if the hail is small, examining your roof following a hail storm is critical to ensure any wear is discovered and fixed before it becomes a significant issue.
How Do You Inspect a Roof for Damage?
Here are some hail damage inspection tips:
- To get secure access to the roof, use a ladder.
- Examine the top and gutters for evidence of roof destruction, such as dents, bruises, or cracking.
- To obtain a better look at difficult-to-reach regions, use binoculars.
- Take pictures of the roof from several perspectives, including close-ups of any impairments.
- Check for wind damage to the flashing around chimneys, skylights, and other roof protrusions.
- Examine the attic for water stains or other evidence of leakage.
What Should I Look for When Inspecting a Roof for Hail Damage?
When doing a storm damage roof inspection, Water Damage and Roofing of Cedar Park look for the following signs:
Shingles Around the Perimeter
If you see shingles or shingles parts on the ground around the perimeter of your house, high winds may have pulled them off. This evidence could mean that your roof has been defective by hail and wind damage.
Damaged Shingles
When inspecting your roof for deterioration, look for missing large sections of architectural shingles and dents or dark spots on the shingles. Torn, curled, cracked, or missing shingles can all be indicators of impairment.
Shingle Granules
During a heavy storm, the hail impact of it can often harm the protective layer on your roof’s shingles. This defect can cause the granules on the roof shingles to loosen and be washed down the gutters and downspouts. They are usually near the ends of the downspouts around the home. If you notice loose granules in these areas, your roof may have sustained wear from the hail.
Damaged Flashing or Vent Caps
Do you see any pockmarks or dents on your roof’s vent caps or flashing?
Dented Gutters or Downspouts
It’s a good idea to do a defect inspection of your gutters and downspouts for visible defects, such as dents, pockmarks, or cracks. While checking these areas, make sure to also look for shingle granules, as their presence could indicate impairment to your roof.
Damaged Siding
When inspecting your home, check the siding for any visible issues, such as dents, cracks, or chips. These could be signs of destruction to your home’s roof.
Broken Tree Limbs and Debris
Check the roof and surrounding structures for broken tree limbs and debris that may have caused structural impairment to the top. Identifying and removing waste is essential to prevent further defects to the roof.
Impairment to Vehicles
If you see that cars in your neighborhood have sustained hail damage, the storm may also affect your roof. It’s a good idea to inspect your roof for signs of wear.
Defect to Other Outdoor Structures
In addition to checking your roof and vehicles for hail impairment, you can also examine other structures on your property, such as decks, fences, sheds, air conditioning units, window screens, garage doors, and shutters. Look for splatter marks or other visible deterioration to these structures.
Contact Your Homeowner’s Insurance Company
If you suspect that your roof has sustained hail defects, it’s essential to contact your homeowner’s insurance company as soon as possible. It will be able to guide how to proceed with getting the defect repaired and covered by your policy.
Ensure you have your policy number and any documentation of the wind damage, such as photos, handy when you call. Keeping a copy of your insurance policy safe is a good idea if you need to refer to it in the future.
Reach out to a Local Roofing Contractor to Get a Free Roof Inspection
Call a local roofing firm for a free inspection if you think that hail has damaged your roof. A skilled roofer can evaluate the roof, accurately estimate the impairment, and propose any required roof repairs. This process will assist you in determining the degree of the impairment and what are the following steps to repair it.
It is critical to choose a reliable roofing provider to do roof inspections. Look for a company with collateral hail damage roof repair expertise and a record of satisfied clients. You may get a feel of the quality of their work by asking for references or reading internet reviews.
The Bottom Line
A hail damage roof inspection is vital if you suspect your roof has sustained degradation from a heavy storm. By following the steps outlined above, you can identify the extent of the impairment and take the steps needed to repair it.
This process may include contacting a roofing contractor for a free assessment, documenting the storm and cosmetic damage, and getting estimates for repairs for your broken shingles and roof vents caused by doing a storm damage roof inspection. By correctly assessing and repairing any hail storms and wind damage to your roof, you can protect your home and ensure it is safe and secure.