Do you know if your roof has hail damage?
Are you sure?
Knowing whether or not your roof has hail damage is extremely important because if left unchecked, it could result in a much bigger problem and most likely an expensive repair.
What Does Hail Damage on a Roof Look Like?
Here is how to identify hail damage on a variety of roofing materials.
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Asphalt Roof Shingles
There are many easily seen signs of hail damage on an asphalt roof. The most common sign of hail damage will be round impressions in the shingles, where the granules have been knocked off, and the asphalt substrate is exposed. You will generally see the shingle granules in your gutters or on the ground near the base of your gutters. Sometimes there will be cracks in the bottom or on the corners of the shingle sections.
You might notice that the shingles look like they have shifted or that they are somewhat out of place. If you can see the wood decking underneath, the shingles look irregular, if you see scuff marks or any other types of discoloration, then you probably have some significant hail damage.
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Tile Roof Shingles
While tile roofs are a little harder for hail to damage it does happen. Generally, most hailstones that are less than two inches in diameter, will not damage a properly installed tile roof. However, if you have a tile roof, finding hail damage is a completely different process with totally different signs that signal hail damage. For example, if you have a tile roof and see crescent-shaped cracks or fractures at the edges, shattered tiles, or star-shaped cracks coming from the point of impact, then your tile shingles have probably sustained hail damage.
If you are still having a hard time determining if your tile roof has hail damage, look for impact marks that look like spatter marks somewhere within or adjacent to the area you believe is damaged.
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Metal Roof
It’s pretty easy to identify hail damage on a metal roof. Just look for dents or other imperfections and if you find them, the cause is more than likely hail damage. You can also look for loose fasteners and other damage usually located along the roof’s seams.
Pro Tip: Despite many misconceptions about metal roofs, they are often not the right choice for a residential application. You can learn more about other myths of metal roofs for residential by viewing our eBook “The Biggest Myths About Metal Roofs Every Homeowner Should Know”
Why You Must Repair a Hail Damaged Roof Immediately
Once you’ve determined your roof has sustained hail damage, you must have it repaired or replaced immediately. This is because if left unrepaired, your roof could begin to deteriorate rapidly. Heavy rains or more hail will further the damage and begin to weigh your roof down.
This could result in any number of roofing disasters such as collapse, the load-bearing walls becoming unstable, or worse. A hail damaged roof left unchecked will ultimately result in higher repair or replacement costs than if you would have corrected the issue immediately.
What’s Next?
The good news is that hail damage is required to be covered by insurance, so the repairs, or even roof replacement can be performed at no cost to you other than the price of your deductible. The team at Perry Roofing is able to identify the damage and let you know if you should file a claim.
If you want more information or would like to schedule a roof inspection, please Contact Us today. Perry Roofing has been in business since 1976 and has a team of roofing experts ready and waiting to assist you.