You just witnessed a hailstorm in your area, and now you are wondering how to tell if your roof has hail damage. Chances are less, as the signs can be subtle or uncertain. You can find yourself walking around the house, thinking about what hail damage would look like. The reality is that even a minor hailstorm can cause serious damage. And by any chance, if you notice a leak in your house, it’s a clear sign that damage has already been done.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) did research that shows that every year, the U.S. goes through around 3000 hailstorms. Also, the Insurance Information Institute reported that hailstorms caused damage of roughly $1 billion. Not just numbers, but this shows how hailstorms can cost you too much.
Don’t worry, as we are going to discuss in the following piece. By the end of this blog, you’ll be able to know how to tell if your roof has hail damage.
Why Hail Damage is a Big Deal?
Usually, people think that everything’s good until they see a big leak on the roof or shingles scattered around the yard.
It’s not common that hail damage is usually understated, especially with the asphalt shingles. Yes, because just a single dent or granule can lead to mold growth, leakage of water, or rotten decks.
Hail damage oftentimes won’t show signs for months or even for years. Therefore, identifying hail damage on roofs is extremely important.
Gather These Before Detecting Hail Damage on Roofs
You need a couple of things to gather before heading out to note the signs of hail damage on the roof.
- Smartphone or camera (to record the damage)
- Binoculars
- Colored tape & chalk (to mark the areas)
- Notebook or phone notes (to note down the observations)
- Ladder (only if you’re experienced, and it’s safe to climb)
Avoid climbing on slippery surfaces to prevent any accidental situations.
How to Spot Roof Hail Damage?
Step 1: Start with a Ground-Level Inspection
Never rush to climb on the roof; always check the ground’s condition first. Because that’s your first line of defense, surprisingly, you might find several signs of hail damage without even going to the roof.
Keep an eye on the following:
- Dents in gutters, downspouts, or the metal flashing, since soft metals are the simplest spots to show damage.
- Cracks or chipped paint on windows. It’s also very common after hailstorms.
- Damaged outdoor AC units or mailboxes. If they are damaged, your roof is likely damaged as well.
- Splinters of wood on the decks and surroundings
If you notice these damages, it’s a sign that if a hailstorm can damage the ground this intensely, it would be enough to crack or tear your shingles apart too.
Step 2: Scan the Roof in Depth
Now, it’s time to scan the roof in a detailed manner, but remember, safety is the priority. Make the first step only if you are experienced in climbing onto the roof. You’ll need a pair of binoculars to look around.
The signs you’ll be paying attention to:
- Dark round spots and bruises; it’s where granules fell.
- Bald surfaces or missing granules can expose the black asphalt underneath
- Damaged shingles; notice damage near the edges of the roof. Also, look for shingles displacement or even for missing pieces.
In case your house has a metal roof, look for any small dents along seams and panels. And on the contrary, if you have a tile or slate roof, look for broken tiles or cracks.
Keep in mind that granule loss can quickly decrease the ability of the roof to reflect UV light and shed water, which makes the roof age and fail sooner.
Step 3: Check for Interior Issues
Roof issues don’t always come superficially; sometimes you have to look deep to notice the signs of trouble.
Inspect after a hailstorm for:
- Brown or yellow stains on ceilings
- Damp or missing insulation
- Light passing through the roof decks
Step 4: Ensure to Document Everything
If you notice there’s something not well, you have to note it down right away. Always make sure to capture in both close-up and wide-angle shots to have clarity later. It’s essential to show the right spot of damage on your roof.
How can you document like a pro:
- Always use a coin or ruler for scaling in the close-up shots
- Notice if there’s any kind of debris or hailstones, capture it right away.
- Write down the date, location, and weather at the time of the storm’s hitting.
As this is a very important step, there’s no chance of ignoring this. Because, in case you need to file an insurance claim, this documentation will be very helpful in the whole process.
Step 5: Hand Over Everything to the Professionals
We understand that you are capable enough to inspect the roof for hail damage, but we’ll still advise you to let a professional roofer do this. Because a lot of damage is invisible from the ground, and some of it can only be identified by trained professionals.
You can count on Rick’s Main Roofing to get it done professionally because we’ll:
- Inspect the entire roof safely
- Look for hidden bruising, lifted shingles, and soft spots
- Evaluate flashing, vents, and seams
- Provide a thorough damage analysis
- Help you with the repair or replacement if needed
A good and locally experienced roofer helps sort out the issues with your roof before it falls apart.
Final Thoughts
Hailstorms are never meant to be taken lightly, even if they last only a couple of minutes. It can damage your roof in the most subtle ways. But no worries, as there are certain steps you can take to know how to tell if your roof has hail damage.
The best decision is to hire an experienced roofer for a professional roof inspection after a storm on your behalf. For this purpose, Rick’s Main Roofing is here to offer a detailed roof inspection at your convenience. Contact us right away.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How does the hail cause damage to the roof?
It can harm your roof in many ways, including causing dings in aluminum slides, gutters, or asphalt shingles. This can also cause the vinyl siding or wood shakes to crack.
2. Can you explain the difference between hail and a hailstorm?
Hail is a type of solid rain that contains ice lumps or balls of ice. While storms that produce hail when reaching the ground are called hailstorms.
3. Can we calculate flat roof hail damage?
Hail damage appears as punctures and cracks in flat roofs. Also, remember that the damages usually occur based on flat roof membranes. The commonly used ones are TPO membranes, which can resist the damage from up to 1¾ inches of hailstones.
