Hail damage on roofs can be a significant concern for homeowners.
Hailstones can vary in size, and even small hailstones can cause damage when they hit vulnerable areas of a roof or come in with high winds.
Unfortunately hail damage isn’t always easy to spot. Cosmetic damage is easier to spot right after a storm, but long-term issues, like leaks, water damage and mold, can take longer to appear. It’s always better to get any issues taken care of quickly by a professional, to avoid any long-term damage or costly repairs.
Here are some common signs of hail damage to roofs, that you can spot fairly soon after a storm:
- Dented or damaged shingles; you can look for dents, cracks, or missing granules on your shingles. Hail impact can cause this type of damage, which may not be visible from the ground.
- Indents on metal roofs; Metal roofs can show signs of hail damage in the form of dents or dings. These can affect the integrity of the roof, and may lead to leaks if they’re not addressed.
- Loose or missing roofing materials; the high winds that come with hailstorms can sometimes dislodge roofing materials. Check your roof for any loose or missing shingles, tiles or metal panels
- Cracked or broken skylights; skylights are particularly vulnerable to hail damage due to their glass construction. Look for cracks or shattered panes that may have resulted from hail impact.
- Water Leaks; one of the most common consequences of hail damage is water leaks. Check your attic and ceilings for signs of water infiltration, like stains, moisture or mold.
- Damaged eavestroughs and downspouts; hailstones can also dent or damage your eavestroughs and downspouts. If you notice and damage to your aluminum, it can cause larger issues down the road.
- Granules in eavestroughs: after a hailstorm, you might find granules from your shingles in your eavestroughs. This indicates that there has been damage to your shingles, and they may require repair.
- Cracks in your flashing: flashing, the material that seals areas where the roof meets walls or chimneys, can crack under the force of hail impact, it’s important to have any damaged flashing repaired so water doesn’t seep into the areas it’s protecting.
- Damage to your siding: Hail can damage more than just your roof, it can damage your vinyl or aluminum siding. If there are any cracks or pieces missing from your siding, water or wildlife can work their way into the siding of your home, and cause costly damage.
If you’re unsure if your roof, aluminum or siding were damaged in a hailstorm, it’s always recommended to reach out to us and we can come inspect your home for you, and asses any damage there may be!
If there is any damage found to your home, we take detailed photos and notes and we are able to put a report together to submit to your insurance company to get the ball rolling on a claim to help you out even more.
