Hail Damage and Your Roof
Asscher Roofing Company
Hail Damage and Your Roof
Basic Summary:
When it comes to hail damage: wind, size, density, building materials, and natural barriers can create variables that affect the damage done to your roof. We as roofers take hail damage seriously, and we know that hail as small as 1 inch can begin to cause damage. If you feel concerned about your roof, and don’t notice any visible damage: check for any dents in your gutters as an early identifier, and call a professional roofer to help you with a thorough roof inspection.
This blog post will break down the various types of hail damage, along with some of the identifying factors that might help you.
Hail Damage & Your Roof
The key information you should know concerning hail damage.
Types of Roof Damage:
Metal Roofing
While metal roofs are commonly very sturdy they can still receive damage from falling hail or debris, the two most common forms of damage to metal roofs are:
Denting - A generally cosmetic issue wherein the panels of your metal roofing may be dented from the hail, while commonly considered aesthetically displeasing, it does not require structural fixes or repairs to your roof or home. In extreme denting situations which are very much uncommon, call a professional to inspect.
Puncturing - This is a non-cosmetic break in your roof that can cause roof leaking or even failure in severe situations. While puncturing of metal roofing is a very rare situation, heavy winds and large hail/debris may cause this issue. If you recognize your metal roof is punctured, call an expert immediately to tarp the location.
Asphalt roofing
Asphalt roofs are the most common roofing materials found in the U.S.A, in areas where hailstorms are consistent, these are some of the damage signs you will see:
Granule Loss - Granules are the textured part of your shingles, and when these granules are lost, the asphalt coating becomes exposed and can deteriorate quickly. Check your downspouts and gutters after a hailstorm to see if you’ve lost some granules from your shingles. In this scenario, when heavy granule loss occurs, you may need to consider a roof replacement or repair.
Shingle Cracking - When high winds or heavy impacts affect your roof, the shingles can crack, leaving you with roof exposure, tears, and potential leaks. When your singles are cracked, your roof cannot effectively protect your home from the weather, and you should. call an expert immediately to tarp the area.
Bruised Shingles/Impact Marks - These impact marks are important identifying factors when addressing hail damage and specifically when filing for an insurance claim. If you notice black colored dots on your roof or small puncture like holes, you should call a local roofing company to inspect your roof, and provide you with a thorough written and photographic examination.
Wood shingles
Color Changing/Oxidation - Wood shake shingles can change color if they are split by impact. When a wood shingle splits, you can typically see a red/orange area on the inside of the shingle due to oxidation. If the split has been present for a long time, the color will change from red to gray. If you notice a wood shingle is completely gray, it will likely need replacing. Keep in mind a new wood shake roof can withstand up to a 2-inch piece of hail, whereas an old and worn wood roof can crack with hail as small as 3/4th inches.
Dent/splatter marks - When a hailstorm passes over your wood shingle roof, a cosmetic issue may arise that is similar to metal roofing. Your shingles may incur small dents or splatter/impact marks that may look unsightly. This is not a major issue unless it reduces the performance of your roof.
Now that we understand the general damage, let’s go over some key questions that consumers often face when dealing with hail damage.
Key Questions About Hail and Your Roof
am i certain to have hail damage after a storm?
The answer to this question is it depends many roofing systems deteriorate differently based on the location, materials, age, installation, slope, wind, and hail size. When it comes to hail, here are some of the common issues that can recognized based on the size of your hail.
3/4th inch hail: this is the smallest size hail that is measured and can still cause damages depending on accompanying wind speeds. Hail that is 3/4th inches can damage vinyl siding, window screens, metal fascia, and outdoor paint. While commonly your roof should be able to withstand 3/4th inch hail, the most common issue found with this size hail is granule loss, which can deteriorate your roof at a faster rate.
1 inch hail is the benchmark for potential damage. This sized hail with additional winds can cause bruising to your roof underlayment, siding, gutters, and fascia.
1 & 1/4 to 1 & 1/2 inch hail is where we see severe damage begin, without additional winds this hail size can cause damage to your roof and home including deterioration, dents, cracks, and exposure. Additional winds at a moderate speed can cause significantly larger damage.
1 & 1/3 to 2 inch hail can penetrate any soft parts of your roof such as ridge caps or plastic roof vents. Combined with wind, this size of hail can tear siding completely off your home while cracking windows and damaging metal fixtures. When hail reaches above 1 & 1/3 inches the question is not if but where you will have property damage. Consult with a local roofing expert whenever a storm of this magnitude passes and get a thorough written and photographic inspection.
Can hail damage be repaired?
Yes, hail damage can be repaired depending on the extent of damage incurred. In the case of missing shingles or siding, a repair can normally be conducted easily (if you are not concerned about color matching). However it is important to consider the extent of your damage along with the deterioration of your roof, this is why it is best to consult an expert for an inspection and consultation you can trust.
is hail damage covered by insurance?
Typically your homeowners insurance policy will include coverage for roof damage including hail. However this can depend heavily on where you live, who your insurer is, and the details of your policy. We recommend contacting your insurance agent before a storm hits in case you have any questions regarding your coverage.
Will my roofer work with my insurance?
Asscher Roofing Company is glad to help with any insurance claim you may need to file for your roof or exterior system. We pride ourselves in working with the right specifications for insurance companies, and will alleviate some of the pressure in communicating with your agent or insurance inspector. However, not all roofing contractors are equal, be sure to ask your contractor when submitting an inquiry if they will work with your insurance to have complete peace of mind.
Closing Notes:
Hail can be worrisome for all of us, during tough downpours and winds it’s important to have a contractor you can trust and to stay educated. We hope this article can help ease your mind when dealing with hailstorms, and that in the case of any emergency you know who to contact. A well trained local roofer should be familiar with your area, the weather patterns, and should provide a quality warranty. We encourage our clients to never hire an out of state roofing contractor, and to always ask questions when getting any contractor estimate.
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