How to Deal with Roof Damage Caused by Hail?

The United States now goes through damage of $22 billion a year because of hail, which damages crops, homes, cars, people, and much more. It is quick to add up the costs associated with hail damage because it affects just about anything outside, including your roof, car, and windows. Some signs of hail damage are apparent, but when it is about small and unnoticeable damage from hail, it does require a professional to look at it. Even if your roof doesn’t have any apparent signs of damage, it is still most important to go with a roof inspection from the best roofing company in Dallas. This roof inspection can tell you how much damage you have to deal with, and you shall proceed with any necessary repairs. 

What is Hail?

Sleet and hail are two types of solid precipitation whose distinction sometimes confuses people. While hail cannot form at frigid temperatures, sleet typically falls at lower temperatures. When the freezing point of water vapor in updrafts is reached, hail can occur within thunderstorms. Ice then develops, gets lifted into the air by updrafts, and then descends to be once more covered in water. The hailstone can accumulate numerous layers by going through this procedure again. Hailstones can range from pea-sized to softball-sized, and the larger ones can inflict considerable harm and property damage.

The Effects of Hail Damage on a Roof

There are different factors to cater to while we are talking about the effects of hail roof damage: wind speed, hail size, wind direction, roof material, age of materials, and slope. All these factors, in one way or another, affect the roof damage that occurs during a hailstorm. If you are wondering when hail damage is bad for a roof, the answer is when it leads to roof leaks. While damage can be subdivided into functional or cosmetic damage, cosmetic damage is sometimes more severe than it looks. Though bruises, broken edges, granule loss, and punctures might seem cosmetic at first, they cause serious complications. 

To have a little more idea about how hail damage affects a roof, we shall consider some specific types of damage. Such damages include granule loss, cracks in the shingles, fractured fiberglass mat, exposed fiberglass mat, weakened self-seal strip, etc. Once you are aware of these common hail roof damage, you can begin to look for signs that indicate damage to your roof. 

Identifying if a hailstorm damaged the exterior or roof 

Severe roof damage is easy to detect as they are apparent, but minor damage might be difficult to see if you are not a professional. For this reason, you shall hire roofing inspectors in Dallas who can assess the hail damage on your roof, or you can also read this blog to get some tips that might help you in that case. 

The first place you should look for damage is your gutters—most likely high-impact hail that damages the roof and dents your gutters or downspouts. If you can see any dings and dents on your gutter or downspout then that means you most likely have a problem on the roof. Whereas, gutters might also clog and fill up because of the granules that shingles can shed when they are hit by the hail. Overflowing and clogged gutters thus indicate that hail might have damaged your roof. 

Furthermore, the second place you should be looking is your siding, while the third place is the deck. Both of these areas most likely will damage from worse hailstorms and can easily indicate potential shingle damage. Any hail damage on your deck or siding will probably mean that you should get a roof inspection as soon as possible. 

Repairing  hail damage to a roof

Repairing a hail-damaged roof can range from being as simple as replacing a single shingle to being as complex as rebuilding the entire roof, depending on the severity of the damage. The extent of the damage can be immediately assessed by a skilled roofer. We advise everyone to get their roof evaluated by a professional after a significant hailstorm because of the wide range of repair solutions available.

Most roof inspections are likewise cost-free, providing you with a cost-free option if you believe your roof was damaged throughout a recent or previous storm. If you’re unsure whether you require a hail damage roof inspection, keep an eye out for the above damage indicators. Consider a hail damage roof inspection seriously if you discover multiple instances of dented gutters or siding damage. As previously discussed, shingle damage can range from severe to barely noticeable. While it is simple to identify severe damage, it is more crucial to comprehend light damage and determine what kind of hail damage roof repairs may be required.

Consequences of ignoring repairs

Ignored roof and shingle damage can quickly grow into leaks or ice dams. These gradually developed into decaying wood, electrical problems, or mold damage, which are costly to repair.

For instance, wood rot and mold can get out of hand and are difficult to spot until it’s almost too late. Preparing for potential problems like these can help you avoid spending thousands of dollars and maintain the quality of your house.

How to minimize hail damage in general?

• Severe hail can break windows. Closing the window coverings can assist in stopping the wind from throwing shattered glass into your house or other buildings.
• Keep your cars in garages or beneath carports whenever you can.
• Hail can dent, break, or even shatter patio and lawn furniture. When not in use, place these goods indoors or underneath a covered space.
• If you plan on replacing roof covering on your home or business, consider using impact-resistant material, primarily if you reside in a hail-prone area.