Hail damage of roof is quite common than what most people think. Taking some proactive steps will help protect your roof against damage and will help you save considerable amount on your roof repair, if you own a home. You will not only ensure that your roof lasts longer but also have less roof repair expenses as well, if you take definitive steps to lessen the effects of the frozen balls on your roof. Investing in hail resistive roofing materials would be advisable and prevent hail damage of roof.
Hail Damaged Roof – Professional Tips That Will Save You Time And Money
Damage to roofs caused by hail is frequent. It is possible to save money for roof repairs if you make proactive steps to safeguard your roof from damage caused by hail. By taking the right steps to minimize the effects of the frozen ball of rain on your roof, you will not only prolong the lifespan of your roof, but also lower costs for roof repairs also. It would, for instance, be a good idea to invest in hail-resistant roofing materials.
To assess the severity of the issue, it is important to be aware that in recent times, hail storms have produced baseball-sized hail. The storms have already caused massive damage to roofs on houses in major cities, and also the suburbs. Imagine how much damage hail can cause to the roof of your home, particularly when it’s made of asphalt roofing.
Repairing Your Hail-Damaged Roof by Hiring a Roofing Specialist
A lot of severe storms that are ravaging your neighborhood may have you thinking, will my roof suffer from storm damage? It’s not always easy to determine the answer. It is possible to start by looking around your home. The driveway is likely to be damaged by hail. Check out your mailbox, air conditioning, window screens, vinyl siding, and your windows. If you notice any damage to these things around your house, likely to do so since these items can take a beating from hail damage especially in the event that the hail is large in size.
It is also possible to see shingles granules in the bottom of your downspouts, and denting. The damage caused by hail storms will weaken the roof amount of protection, and consequently reduce the life of your roof. This causes the destruction resulted from water damage from the hail storm.
How to Identify and Repair a Hail Damaged Roof
It can be difficult to spot hail damage, particularly if your house is two- or three-story. Damage from hail can cause damage to your home due to water and decrease the lifespan of your roof. You should immediately assess and repair any damage. If you wait too long you could be rejected by your insurance company when finally submit an insurance claim for repairs. Have you experienced any recent hailstorms in your area? Are you concerned that your home may have been damaged? These steps will help you to find out if your home has been damaged and will show you how to fix it.
Step One: Check around the exterior of your home to see if there is visible damage. It is important to look for evidence of damage such as freshly applied paint or dents on your siding. If you are able to gain access to your roof in a safe manner check for shingles that are missing or that have blisters or dents. Also, check your gutters for any dents or dings.
Step 2: Check at your home’s interior to determine the extent of damage. The presence of water stains or the flow of water through your walls are indicators that you must address the problem immediately. If you don’t address the leak on your roof in a timely fashion you may have to completely replace your roof, in addition to major repairs do to water seeping into your home.
Step Three: Contact your insurance company immediately and ensure they’re aware of damages. They will probably have one of their adjusters visit to evaluate your home and create an estimate of the cost to repair the damage.
Step 4: Call your local roofing company for an assessment by an independent roofing contractor. Even if you trust the insurance agent or adjuster, you must get a second opinion from a roofing company you trust. They shouldn’t have any bias because they’re not employed by the insurance company. Most roofing contractors you contact will be willing to speak with the insurance company if there is a discrepancy between the two appraisals.
Step 5: Put everything in writing. The roofing company you choose to use should supply you with a contract outlining the work that will be completed and what it will cost. Your insurance company must offer you documentation regarding the details of your claim. You can protect yourself by getting all the information you need in written form.
Important Steps to Take for Hail Damage on Your Roof
Hail damage can lead to roof damage during a storm. Storms that are severe can cause damage to a roof. The impact could cause holes, dents, pockmarked paint; chipped or split tiles; and loss of granularity. Several subsequent symptoms may appear that strongly suggest that such damage has occurred.
These are signs of major hail damage:
- Pits and dents – These are major signs of destruction from storms. The angles of the structure could influence the outcome. When hail hits, flat housetops may have deeper dents compared to pitched ones. The appearance of damage will be more noticeable on roofing made of metal than on asphalt shingles or slate.
- Paint Disturbance Certain housetop materials are coated with various colors for beautification purposes. Paint flaking can result from hail hitting this material. The result is marks called pockmarks. These marks are very unattractive and cause a very negative perception of the roof , even though the damage isn’t too serious.
- Granular Loss – Asphalt shingles are by far the most common roofing material. Following a hailstorm the type of roofing material will sometimes develop granular loss. This can result in leaky roofing. Nail heads could be visible if this happens. The shape is the distinction between extreme weather damage and normal granular losses. Normal wear and tear results in an even loss of granularity, whereas hail damage is circular and is more localized.
- Damaged Wood and Tile – The size of hail can range from pea-sized up to the size of grapefruit or softball. This is because the power with which it strikes a surface could cause serious damage to roofing materials. The frozen water that is deposited on the roof can chip, crack, scratch, and split wood or tile shingles.
Hail Damage Roof Repair FAQs
Sun, wind, rain and hail have all had a chance to damage your roof and the time has come to think about re-roofing. How do you know if your roof is ready for re-roofing? Who will give you trustworthy advice? Where do you start? How many bids should you get? What part should you play during the construction process? What is fair to expect of a contractor? What are the permit and licensing laws in the State of Your State?
If these are questions you are asking yourself, you have come to the right place! The Roofing Contractors Association of Your State (RCAT) is an organization of professional roofing contractors dedicated to the practice, and teaching, of the skills needed to protect your building from the elements. We offer this guide as a sincere effort to help the customer and contractor arrive at a happy conclusion to a successful effort.
Are you ready for a re-roof?
After a hail storm has hit your area, it may or may not be obvious that you need a new roof. While some hail may produce leaks that appear immediately, quite often hail may only fracture your shingles, which leads to premature roof failure. An inspection by a professional roofing contractor can answer this question. If you have a roof that is fifteen years old or older and it starts to show signs of deterioration, or produces leaks, it is time to call your roofing professional for an inspection and consultation.
Choose a member of the Roofing Contractors Association of Your State
The State of Your State has no licensing requirement in place for roofing contractors at this time (2000 – 2001). RCAT is a twenty-five year old organization that was founded with the expressed purpose of bettering the roofing profession through education and the pursuit of a quality product.
By choosing a member of RCAT to be involved with your project, you are assured that you have a contractor who has had a successful track record in this field. To become a member, a contractor has to produce qualified references and be known to his competitors in the roofing community.
What is a Certified Roofing Contractor?
In the absence of licensing laws in Your State, RCAT has developed a comprehensive testing program. These tests are strictly monitored and require thorough knowledge of commercial roofing, residential roofing, and business and contract law. Certified contractors are leaders in their field who are bringing a proven professionalism to your roofing or re-roofing project.