Repairing damaged property after a hailstorm can be very costly especially if you ignore the damage the first time it occurs. The best approach is always to inspect and repair your roof damages immediately after a hail storm. That way, you avoid the subsequent roof problems which eventually saves you a lot of money.
Those who ignore repairs no matter how small the damage might look, allow it to worsen over time. An unrepaired roof can lead to serious secondary problems like leaks or even wood rot. By the end of it, you might need to replace your entire roof which could cost a fortune. A damaged roof further lowers the value of your home.
If you are not skilled enough to identify and deal with hail roof damage, you should contact roofing experts in your locality to help with the situation.
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What Does Hail Damage Do to a Roof?
The damages caused by hailstorms are different depending on the type of roofing material and structure you have, not forgetting how powerful the hailstorm is. Other factors are the age of the material, the direction of the hail, and the surrounding buildings or trees.
The extent of damage varies from minor damages that are not easily visible to total damage of your roof. They can also be obvious dents and breakages that you can clearly see. The type of hail storm damage on asphalt shingles is different from the hail damage on wood or even metal. Here are the types of damages a hailstorm can cause on your roof:
Loss of Granules
Your roof can lose granules in a rough hailstorm. When a hailstorm hits the asphalt shingle roof, the force knocks off granules from the roofing material. This leaves the asphalt exposed as the granules are washed away. Exposed asphalt is affected by the UV and other elements which make it to age quickly due to the hail storm damage.
Cracks and Tear
Hailstorms hitting the shingles can crack and damage them. The force and pressure from the hailstorm especially when the speed of the wind is high causes tears and even cracks. Cracked or torn shingles cannot perform their function well because they let moisture and sun rays in. A professional roofer can identify such damages and provide the best repairs of the damaged spot.
Wooden-shingle Damage
A hailstorm on a wooden shingle roof can cause extensive damage by splitting the shingles. The damage is mostly random and cannot be easily noticed unless a thorough inspection is performed by a professional roofer. Mostly the damaged shingles will have sharp pointed edges. Once you’ve identified the affected pieces, you have to follow a special procedure to fix or replace them.
Damaged Fiberglass-mat
The impact of the hailstorm on the asphalt shingles roof can be seen by the exposed and damaged fiberglass mat. When the hail hits the surface of the shingles, it exposes the fiberglass mat and this can cause further damage like cracks. This type of damage is not easy to notice. Because of this, hire a professional who is trained and can spot such damages and repair them to help save your roof from further damage.
Hail Damage Roof Inspection Guide
After every hailstorm, it is advisable that you inspect your roof for any hail damage roof signs. Some hail storm damage may seem cosmetic but over time they lead to more serious damages. And as you might know by now, an unrepaired roof can eventually cause stains, mold, and leaks which can be more dangerous for residents and costly to repair. Here are some indicators to show you that your roof has been damaged by a hailstorm and needs repair.
Check the Gutter
Inspect your gutter to see if you can spot any visible dents caused by the hailstorm. A dent on your gutter is clear evidence of damage on your roof. Also, check to see if your gutter is clogged or if it’s overflowing. A clogged gutter can be caused by knocked off granules that have been swept away by water. If you discover the clog is caused by granules that’s a sign that your roof has been damaged and needs repair.
Check-Siding and Deck
Check for any noticeable damages on the siding and the deck areas. Damages in these areas will show you that there is a chance your roof shingles are torn or cracked and needs fixing. Consult a roofing specialist to help you inspect and make repairs.
A contractor has the technical expertise to accurately assess your roof and recommend the needed repairs. Damages can vary and roof repairs also vary depending on the level of damage. A contractor is able to identify the right repair for your roof, from a simple fix to a complex repair of replacing the entire roof.
Tornado Roofing Your Best Team of Roofing Contractors
Tornado Roofing is a reliable roofing contractor for you and offers the best quality services when it comes to roof maintenance, roof repairs, re-roofing, and complete roof replacements. Tornado roofing has been in operation for the past 20 years and has a lot of experience in roofing and quality safety inspection services. If you suspect that your roof has incurred damage during a hailstorm, reach out to us so that we can identify the problems and recommend the best solution for you.
