Hail has been a major source of roof damage to residential and commercial properties. In fact, Texas sees more hail storms than any other state in America, averaging 600+ storms annually.
As a homeowner, it is important to be aware of the signs of hail damage on your roof, so you can take steps to protect your property and file an insurance claim in the event of a disaster.
Typical signs of roof hail damage can vary across roofing materials and the structure design. Hail roof damage on wood shingles will look much different than the impact on asphalt shingles.
Additionally, the hail hits on the roof may indicate damage depending on the stones’ angle, size, and velocity.
What Do Hail Dents Look Like?
As a homeowner, the last thing you want is to endure a hailstorm and the resulting hail damage to your roof. Here are what the damages look like on different materials and how you can identify hail damage correctly:
Asphalt Shingle DamageHail damage on this type of roofing frequently appears as physical dimpling, discoloration, and/or granule loss. In more severe cases, you may find shingles with dents, cracks, and breaks. An older roof has a greater chance of sustaining more damage compared to a new one.
Wood Shingle Damage
This type of shingle experiences hail damage as dents, fractures, dings, and small disrupts to their surface.
The severity of the roof hail damage will depend upon the size of the stones and wind speed during the storm. However, since such shingles are more susceptible to damage than asphalt shingles, it’s likely you’ll see signs of hail storm damage—even if the stones are small.
Other signs of hail damage might include broken or missing gutters and downspouts, damaged flashings, and any other signs of wear and tear.
Also, one of the best ways to identify hail storm damage quickly is to look inside your attic if possible. If you notice any water spots or staining, these could be caused by leaking due to hail.
What Does Storm Damage to a Roof Look Like?
Whether it’s strong winds, hail, or even lightning, storms can cause significant damage to the roof of your home.
When assessing for hail damage, Water Damage and Roofing of Cedar Park recommends looking for one or any combination of the following:
- Broken or missing granules
- Broken or cracked tabs
- Visible indentations or holes
- Exposed felt or underlying material
If one or more of these signs are present, it’s a strong indication that your roof may have been damaged by a hail storm.
The next step is to contact your insurance company to file a claim for hail roof damage. A roofing contractor may need to be called in to report the extent of the damage in order to properly identify and repair the hail damage.
Keep in mind that while the amount of storm damage incurred will dictate the type of repair required, roof hail damage can end up costing more than just financial losses. Such damage can weaken your roof’s weather protection and lead to more serious issues if not properly addressed.
If you are curious about what hail damage to a roof looks like, there are numerous images and videos online that can help you compare typical hail damage and understand what kinds of repairs may be necessary.
It’s also essential to make sure you have the proper insurance coverage for damage caused by hail storms. However, if you don’t file a claim, it could be in your best interest to hire a roofing contractor to assess the extent of the issue and recommend the most cost-effective repair options.
Identifying Roof Damage Due to Frequent Hail Storms
Homeowners rarely consider storm damage to their roofs until it is too late. Hail storms, strong winds, and other weather disasters can cause serious damage to roofs, and it can cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to repair.
It can be difficult to figure out if your property has sustained any storm damage. That’s why it’s important to know what hail damage to a roof looks like and how to identify it.
When hail impacts the roof, the damage it causes varies depending on the type of structure and the size of the hailstone.
Bitumen shingles are more likely to show signs of hail damage than wood or metal roofing. Hail stones can crack, tear, or break the shingles, leaving them exposed to the elements. Wind speed is also a factor – because if it travels fast enough, it can tear shingles off your roof and damage the sheathing underneath.
Roof damage can also involve flashing around vents, chimneys, and skylights, as well as damage to gutters and downspouts. Pay close attention to these details, as they are easy to overlook but can end up costing you more to replace if not fixed in a timely manner.
Hail can also cause air and water-tight seals to break, leading to wood rot and roof leaks. If you have issues with water pooling in your attic, this could be a sign of hail damage.
To keep costs low, it’s a good idea to contact your insurance provider to file a claim. Be sure to take pictures of the hail damage or any other physical or visual evidence that could prove your roof sustained storm damage.
Seeking Insurance Reimbursements for Hail Storm Damage
Hail can do a lot of damage to homes, from stripping roof shingles to cracking vinyl siding. Knowing how to file an insurance claim can get you the financial help you need to cover hail damage.
Seek a Thorough Roof Inspection
The first step in seeking insurance reimbursements for hail storm damage is to schedule a roof inspection with a qualified roofing contractor. A professional can make an assessment of your roof, check the level of any hail impact it has sustained, and report the findings to your insurance company.
Documenting the level of hail damage is necessary for the insurance company to cover sustained hail damage and will help ensure the necessary repairs and replacements for the roof are granted.
Whilst any kind of inclement weather can be distressing for homeowners, it’s important to act quickly to prevent the damage from worsening. Working with a reputable roofing company can help assess the issue and provide solutions in time.
Collect All Evidence Needed for an Insurance Claim
It’s important to keep all paperwork, notes, photos, and other items related to the hail damage inspection and insurance claims in an organized format, as this will provide a point of reference for both you and the insurance company.
In the event that your insurance claim is approved after the hail storm damage inspection, you can begin the process of having your roof repaired or go for a full roof replacement by a professional roofing contractor.
Make sure that a trustworthy and experienced roofer is hired for the job, as this will ensure that the structure will be professionally repaired and that any further expected hail damage can be properly prevented.
Why Is Filing an Insurance Claim Important?
To recoup some of the expenses you were left with, filing an insurance claim may be the best course of action. With the right tips and advice, homeowners can successfully seek insurance reimbursements for severe hail damage.
Upon the submission of a claim, the company will send out an insurance adjuster who will assess the damage caused by the hail storm and determine the cost of repairs or replacements.
Of course, depending on the severity of the issue, the decision to repair or replace the roof can vary. If you decide that repairing is the most cost-efficient solution, you will have to pay out of pocket for the expenses and submit the receipt to the insurance company for reimbursement.
On the other hand, if the structure has sustained severe roof damage and is beyond repair, the insurance company can usually cover hail damage as part of its policy.
It is important to keep in mind that hail impact is not limited to roof shingles alone. In some cases, the damages may extend to other parts of the home, such as roof vents, window screens, vinyl sidings, and gutters.
When filing an insurance claim for a hail-damaged roof, list all the broken items so that the adjuster can provide coverage for the damage sustained.
Although the paperwork and process may be tedious and time-consuming, working with a professional contractor for roof repairs can help you understand your coverage and submit the insurance claim correctly.
This should, in turn, help you receive the reimbursement you deserve and get your home restored back to its former glory.
Conclusion
Knowing what the lasting impact of hail damage looks like on a roof can help homeowners save money on full replacements and critical repairs. However, it’s still important to have a professional assess the situation for you.
The most obvious indication of hail damage is cracked shingles. If you notice any, you’ll need to have them replaced as soon as possible to ensure your roof’s structure is not weakened.
In some cases, hail stones can penetrate through the roof, resulting in wood rot, which will require extensive repair too. Interestingly, the direction of the wind can also be a good indicator of whether your roof has been damaged by hail.
Installing impact-resistant materials such as metal, slate, or composite shingles can go a long way toward withstanding the pounding of hail season. With that said, even the best materials can suffer from hail damage, so keeping an eye out for the above signs is important.
Contact your insurance company promptly to ensure that your repair costs, from minor to major, are all covered. With the right approach, you can make sure that your insurance agency helps you bear the cost of any hail damage.