Hail damage is a lot less noticeable compared to something like storm damage. Homeowners are less likely to have roof repair conducted on their hail-damaged roofs until it’s too late, when further damage has occurred. But how does hail affect roofs, exactly? 

Common Signs of Hail Damage

Hail damage has many forms, all related to hail hitting the roofing surface. Nevertheless, there are two things to keep in mind when looking for signs of hail damage: you have to look closely, and repairs have to be done as soon as possible to prevent further damage. The following are the types of hail damage that you should know.

Loose Granules – A few granules may come loose from asphalt shingles and get mixed in with rainwater runoff, which is a normal process of aging. Hail impact can dislodge a lot more. If hail wasn’t followed by rain, you can spray your roof with a garden hose for a few minutes and observe the runoff from the gutters. Too many granules means your roof has sustained hail damage. Contact your roofing contractor as soon as possible as leaving a hail-damaged roof as it is can lead to premature roof replacement.

Dents – Hailstones are hard as rocks and can create dents on your roof. Such dents are not as easily noticed on a roofing with a lot of visual texture. If you find large hailstones on the ground, chances are your roof has dents in it. Sometimes, dents won’t puncture the roof, but they make your roof more vulnerable to further damage.

Loose, Broken or Missing Shingles – On the other extreme, hail impact has been known to crack and dislodge roofing shingles, which should be addressed by a roofing professional immediately as it may expose the layers beneath the shingles.

What You Should Do

Some roofing systems are warranted to withstand certain levels of hail damage. If your roof is still under warranty, check the paperwork if your roof falls within coverage. If not, your homeowner insurance policy may cover the repair costs after deductibles.

Similar to storm damage, your hail-damaged roof must be inspected by a roofing contractor. Hail damage is commonly mistaken by inexperienced roofers for roofing blisters, a problem that occurs on defective shingles, and are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Your roofing contractor can perform a thorough and accurate inspection, create a detailed report and provide an estimate of the repair costs. All of these will be needed by your insurance provider in processing your insurance claim.

Tri-County Contracting is your leading provider of roof repair and other exterior services. Give us a call at (262) 891-4331, or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Waukesha, WI, and surrounding areas.