Hail damage is not as easily spotted as storm damage, making it easy to overlook for the average homeowner. This is why it’s important to inspect your roof after a hailstorm hits your area. In today’s post, local roofing company Winfield Builders explains why you should not ignore hail damage on your roof.
Common Signs of Hail Damage
Hail damage is a type of impact damage, but has characteristics unique to it. The following are some of the signs typically found on a hail-damaged roof:
Loose granules — Impact damage will knock some granules off the roofing surface. If you can safely access the roof edge and perform a close inspection, you should be able to see these granules on the roofing surface. Some of them may also be in the gutters.
Dents — Large hailstones can cause small craters as they hit the roofing surface, which can be easily spotted on standing seam metal roofing and asphalt shingles with solid colors. Laminate or “dimensional” materials may bear a closer inspection as these dents may not be readily visible. Tile and slate can usually resist hail damage, but in extreme cases, large hailstones may cause cracking.
Loose or missing shingles — Hailstones may hit the roofing surface hard enough to loosen shingles from the roof.
What to Do If You Find Hail Damage
One of the reasons why you should not ignore hail damage is it may lead to bigger roofing problems down the line. Damaged or missing shingles may allow water infiltration, which can result in leaks, damaged insulation, and warped structural components. It can also raise the humidity level in the attic and result in long-term moisture damage to the roof if the attic isn’t properly ventilated.
Most homeowner’s insurance plans include coverage for hail damage. It is important that you get a roofing professional to perform a thorough roofing inspection after a hailstorm because inexperienced insurance adjusters often mistake hail damage for roofing blisters. The difference between the two are critical because roofing blisters are a factory defect, which are generally covered by the roofing warranty, not by homeowner’s insurance. When in doubt, always defer to your roofing contractor’s findings.
Winfield Builders is your leading provider of roofing and siding installation services. Give us a call at (410) 401-5045. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Annapolis and Columbia, MD, as well as the surrounding communities.