Hail damage is something that almost every homeowner is going to deal with at some point.
The severity of roof hail damage will vary depending on your location and the material your roof is made of. Large hail can break apart shingles and cause lasting damage to a roof, and smaller hail can still cause damage that will comprise your roof if left unattended.
Today we’re breaking down how to find hail damage on your roof and how to fix it. Knowing what to look for on your roof can be the difference between a salvaged hail-damaged roof and a roof that begins to leak. Hail damage needs to be fixed as quickly as possible.
HAIL DAMAGE ON YOUR ROOF: HOW TO DETECT IT
After a big storm rolls through, you’ll want to check several areas of your house for storm damage. Two of the main areas to check for damage are siding and roofing. Here are four key things to look for on your roof if a hail storm has recently passed through your neighborhood:
1. BLACK COLORED DOTS/BRUISED SHINGLES
Dark-colored spots or bruises on your shingles may appear when smaller hail hits your roof. Spotting this type of roof damage may be difficult, but it’s not impossible. The dark spots are created when hail hits the roof, and granules fall from it. If you have a lot of bruising on your roof from a hail storm, you’ll likely have granule loss as well.
2. LOSS OF GRANULES
Granules are the small sandpaper-like substance on the surface of asphalt shingles. These granules help protect your roof from the sun, rain, and snow. Without the granules, your roof will wear down much faster, and you’d need to replace it more often. Hail, on impact, can knock a lot of granules off.
Look for granules in your gutters or corners along your roofline. If you notice a buildup of granule loss, you likely have roof hail damage.
3. IMPACT MARKS OR DENTS
One of the easiest types of hail damage to spot on your roof is impact marks or dents. The untrained eye might struggle to see them, but if you know what you’re looking for, it shouldn’t be a problem at all. These marks and dents will look like golf balls hit your roof at a high speed.
4. SPLITS OR BROKEN SHINGLES
Split and broken shingles are even easier to spot than impacts or dents. This type of damage will only occur if the hail is significant in size. Spotting damage like this is quite easy, even from the ground. You’ll see literal splits in the shingles, and broken shingles may fall off and blow down from on top of your roof.
HOW TO REPAIR HAIL DAMAGE TO YOUR ROOF
After hail damage, you must be quick about getting your roof repaired. Getting a new roof after every hailstorm is costly. So prompt hail damage roof repair can prevent further damage and save you from unnecessary expenses. There are a few DIY tricks you can try, but you will be best off working with a professional roofing contractor who can fix the problem directly or even help you with insurance compensation.
REPAIR DAMAGED ROOF SHINGLES
Should a part of a shingle crack, you can repair it. This timely repair will prevent further deterioration. Roofing sealant will help you hold cracked shingles together. Apply the sealant properly and spread it carefully.
REPLACE DAMAGED SHINGLES
Sometimes roof shingles are damaged beyond repair, and you have to replace them. You have to, first of all, remove the broken shingle. You can use a pry bar to remove the nails underneath.
After you have removed all the damaged shingles, you can proceed with the installation. It is advisable to start from the bottom of the roof to the top. You will need nails, a hammer, pry bars, and other work tools to complete this job. Ensure you use the correct type of nails when installing shingles. Also, make sure to hammer the nails securely.
Attempting roof repairs without having professional experience can be dangerous and result in even more issues down the line. For this reason, we recommend forgoing DIY repairs and enlisting the help of a professional roofer instead.
FILING AN INSURANCE CLAIM
Most storm damage on roofs will require the roof to be fully replaced. Unfortunately, that’s just the way it is when a hail storm caused damage to your roof. But, on the bright side, most homeowners’ insurance policies provide coverage for hail damage received during a storm. They do this because it’s important to get your roof fixed so that you don’t have any water damage to your home.
The steps to file a claim with your insurance company aren’t too difficult.
- First, you’ll need to identify when the supposed damage happened. Mark your calendar so that you can tell them exactly when the hail storms were rolling through.
- After that, you’ll need to get a professional inspection of your roof so that the signs of hail damage are successfully documented. Without documentation, insurance companies won’t fulfill your claim.
When the roof inspection is complete and the insurance claim is filed, you’ll be able to wait and see if your insurance company is going to come through and help you get your roof damage fixed. Most insurance companies work fast, so you’ll likely hear back within a few weeks.
If you have sustained damage from a hail storm, it is important to act fast. The longer you let the damage sit, the less likely it is that you will receive the full amount of insurance compensation. If you wait too long, insurance companies cannot fully decipher if the damage was due to a storm or owner negligence.
Be sure to schedule a professional roofing inspection with a trusted roofing contractor as soon as possible after a hail storm. The roofing contractor will be able to help you file a roof insurance claim by offering an accurate assessment and estimate of the damages.
INSTALLING A NEW ROOF WITH PROFESSIONAL HELP
Almost all hail damage insurance claims will lead to a total roof replacement. Therefore, you’re going to need a reliable roofing contractor to work with.
Although you can put in the effort to fix your roof, you may not be well-equipped to do the job correctly. In the event of a severe storm, only professionals can detect and fix repairs properly. In cases where the damages are not visible, experts find them with ease. They can tell if the damage is due to a hailstorm or other environmental conditions.
A professional roofing specialist inspects and assesses the extent of roof damage. They will help you know the best steps to take, whether you need a hail damage roof repair or a total replacement. You also need experts to carry out repairing or replacing shingles or other damaged roof parts. They have the right equipment, skills, and experience to carry out the work professionally.
That’s why we at Red Canyon Roofing are here! If you live in the Denver, Colorado area, we’d love to hear from you. Our team specializes in providing fast and honest storm damage repairs for our Northern Colorado community.
CALL RED CANYON ROOFING AS SOON AS YOU SUSPECT ROOF HAIL DAMAGE
You can prevent unnecessary stress and expenses of hail damage roof repairs if you take the right steps at the right time. Proper and periodic maintenance of the roof reduces the damages during hail storms and other adverse environmental conditions. But, even the sturdiest roofs can sustain hail damage when you least expect it.
When a hail storm rolls through Colorado, make sure your first call is to Red Canyon Roofing. Our friendly team will promptly perform a free roof inspection so you can feel confident that all damage has been located. We will help you work with insurance so that we can start roof repairs or a replacement as soon as possible.
Get in touch with Red Canyon Roofing today!
