How to Spot Hail Damage on a Roof

When was the last time you encountered a hail storm in Texas? Probably sometime this past winter, right? If so, it is time to see if there was any damage done to your roof. There are a few different ways as to how to spot hail damage on a roof, and it is important that you know whether or not you need to call your local roofer to repair the damage, or to file an insurance claim. Hail damage has caused billions of dollars worth of damage over the last 2 years in Texas, many of the damage effecting roofs on residential and commercial properties. Below are a few tips you can follow to show you how to spot hail damage on a roof.

 

Does All Hail Cause Damage?

The short answer is yes, all hail has the potential to cause damage. More than likely, however, hail bigger than 1″ in diameter will most likely cause damage to your roof. Hail causes damage to your roof depending on the following factors:

• Size of hail
• Type/ material of roof
• Age of your roof
• Condition of your roof/ previous damage that was never fixed
• Roof shape
• Number of shingles on your roof (does it contain layered shingles?)
• Angle and velocity at which the hail hit your roof

Knowing the above details will help you acknowledge how to spot hail damage on a roof and whether or not you need to get repairs made quickly to avoid bigger damage in the long run.

 

Simple Ways to Detect Hail Damage

We expect our roofs to be able to withstand the most severe storms, but we often overlook damage that does occur because well it isn’t exactly at eye-level. Realistically, you should inspect your roof after any major hail or windstorm. Inspecting your roof doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming. Spending just a few minutes inspecting your roof will help avoid larger problems in the future, like potential water damage, leaks, and mold. When your roof is hit by a huge hail storm, like so many that pass through Texas, the integrity of the shingles are often compromised by the icy material. If you have been hit by a hail storm recently, check out how to spot hail damage on a roof with these tell-tale signs:

• Check for dents in your gutters, windowsills, and window casings
• Examine the siding of your house, notice if paint has when chipped in multiple places
• Check for dents in roof vents and air conditioning systems
• Check the shingles themselves for damage:
  • If you notice dents in the shingles, take a closer look to see if the granules have been knocked off leaving the under-layer of asphalt exposed. Exposed asphalt means your entire roof is vulnerable to a variety of issues and further damage.
• Any cracks, chips, missing shingles, or dents are all tell-tale signs that your roof has been damaged by the recent storm

 

How to Spot Hail Damage on a Roof

Knowing whether or not the damage caused to your roof from a hail storm is cosmetically damaged or functionally damaged is crucial. If your roof has been functionally damaged and you need roof repairs, that means it is time to call someone out to repair it in order to avoid any bigger issues from occurring. Functional damage usually suggests that the integrity of your roof has been compromised and is no longer doing its job protecting both the exterior and interior of your home. In order to avoid having to replace your roof completely, it is wise to inspect your roof after any major storm. By utilizing these few simple tricks to see if you have hail damage, you could save yourself a ton of money in the long run. Knowing how to spot hail damage on a roof is essential as a homeowner or business owner.

Think you have hail damage, but want a professional opinion? Call Elite Roofing and Consulting today for an honest and in-depth roof inspection.