Hail isn’t fun to deal with at all and its really hard to protect absolutely everything from it…especially your roof. It affects practically everything, your roof, windows, cars, and lawn fixtures. Some signs of damage are pretty obvious like big glaring dents or cracked windshields, but others are quite small and hard to see unless you have a trained eye. Although you may not see any big crazy holes in your roof after the storm, it’s still a good idea to find out just how much damage you’re dealing with, if there’s any damage at all.
What Does Hail Damage Do To A Roof?
The effects can be so minute they aren’t even noticeable…or they can be so large that even a blind bat would notice. There are also many different factors that should be taken into consideration that account for the type of damage. Some of these are materials, age, and slope. Hail damage can be really annoying, especially when it starts causing little leaks all around the house.
Damage is either functional or cosmetic. I think we could all agree we’d rather just have cosmetic damage and everything else be functionally ok, but a lot of the time cosmetic damages could lead to functional damages if they are taken care of right away. A few missing shingles or punctures may not seem all that bad on paper…but it’ll add up if not properly looked after.
When you know about all the different forms of hail roof damage, you’ll be better able to identify possible damage on your home!
How Do You Know If Your Roof Or Exterior Has Hail Damage?
Exterior hail damage is pretty easy to notice. This all falls under the umbrella of missing shingles, trees laying on the roof, branches puncturing the shingles…all those are fairly easy to spot. However there are some granular things an untrained eye might miss. That being said, it is always recommended to get a roof inspection by a professional so that all potential damage is assessed.
A good place to start would be your gutters. Gutters are easy to spot hail damage on because it will likely pick up the dents from the hail. If your gutters are dented, then you will most likely have hail damage on your roof.
If your gutters are clogged that is also a telling sign that you have damage of some sort. If your gutters are clogged, the culprit is most likely to be granules that shingles shed when the hail made impact. Overflowing gutters is never a good sign for the roof after a storm.
The second place one should look when checking for hail damage is their siding, and lastly your deck. Both of these areas will endure some sort of damage if the hailstorm was really bad. If there is any damage on the deck or your siding…this is an almost guarantee that there is damage is on your roof and you need an inspection.
Can 1 Inch Hail Cause Damage To A Roof?
Yes! One inch hail is actually pretty big as it is…in some cases even hail that’s much smaller can damage the roof and other areas of the house. After a storm…the size of hail is often a good indicator of the damage you may have received. While it is not entirely foolproof, the size of the hail is a good way to start predicting storm damage you may or may not have.
1¾ – 2” Hail
This is the size of hail that can penetrate soft spots on the roof like ridge caps or vents. Once this is combined with wind, hail has been known to tear the siding completely off a house and even crack windows!
2” Hail
If you are receiving hail that is 2 inches or bigger, well, it’s time to call in the calvary. In very few situations will 2 inch hail leave no damage. It is almost impossible. It has gotten to the point after storms like these that contractors will ask where the damage is…not “if” there is any damage. After a storm with hail this big, we recommend calling a local roofing contractor in Colorado Springs.
What Does Roof Damage From Hail Look Like?
If the hail that your area received was over one inch and diameter, the damage will pretty obvious. Yes, you may not be able to see it from the ground, but if you were to call up a roofing contractor they would be able to get up there and take pictures for you as needed. Sometimes if the wind is hard as well, you will also be able to physically see cracked windows, siding, and shingles on the edge of your roof. Smaller hail isn’t something to sneeze at either…they can often cause unseen damage that leads to issues further down the line.
Can Hail Damage To A Roof Be Repaired?
Yes! It all depends on the extent of your damage but in most scenarios your roof can be fixed. Hail damage repairs can be anywhere from just a single shingle to a whole roof. Because of the broad range of possible repairs, we highly recommend having a hail damage repair specialist out to your home so they can determine the severity of the damage.
Roof inspections performed by most companies are free of cost and often offer a no cost solution. However, we understand that you don’t want to waste anyone’s time and we appreciate that! If you give a look at the different signs like dented gutters, broken shingles, cracked siding, and think you see damage…feel free to give us a call today! We’d be more than happy to offer you a solution or put your mind at ease with their being no damage found!
What Happens When You Ignore These Repairs?
If you ignore shingle and roof damage, these will quickly turn into mold, electrical issues, or rotting wood. Remember the small issue of today is the big issue of tomorrow!
Is A Hail Damage Roof Covered By Insurance?
If you have homeowner’s insurance, you likely have hail damage included in your policy. However, it is always a smart idea to check with your agent just to be sure as coverage may be applied differently based on your location.
