It’s an often forgotten part of our houses, but it is still one of the most important parts. Some might say it is the most important part. We don’t think about it until something goes wrong. For years everything is fine, but when leaks start we can think about little else besides our roofs. Hail can be one of the most significant causes of damage to this important part of our home’s structure. We save in the long run if before we ever have a problem we educate ourselves about detecting and repairing hail damage to roofs.
To being with, never believe the hype of hail proof roofs! There is no such thing; no roof is completely safe from a beating of ice chunks. There are roofs on the market that hold up better to hail than other types, but never believe your roof is 100 % resistant. Composite and asphalt shingles are two of the most widely used types when roofing residential properties. Both of these types are also susceptible to hail damage, therefore homeowners should be educated on detecting hail damage.
Before you and your home have to go through a hail storm you should be conscious of your insurance policy on hail damage. Different insurance companies have different lengths of time in which they allow you to make your insurance claim. It is always the best idea to make the claim immediately and not hold back. Another difference between insurance companies is the scales in which they use to determine if the hail damage is significant enough to need repair. Know this information beforehand and keep it in mind if your home has suffered damage.
Asphalt shingles often times are hard for people to detect hail damage. A common misbelief people have is that if there are no shingles missing there is no damage. This is not the case though. High wind is what causing missing shingles while damage from hail is harder to see.
The first thing to do after a significantly large hailstorm is to photograph the property while hail is still on the ground. Make sure the date is shown in the photograph. Next photograph the entire roof. Even if everything appears normal, take the photos. File these photos away in case they are needed at a future date.
Before you begin a thorough inspection of your roof and gutters, give it enough time to completely dry. A big sign of a worn or damage roof is asphalt granules building up where gutters drain. Be on the look out for weathered areas on your roof and photograph these also.
Once you know you have hail damage, or even if you are questioning if you do, it is important to contact a roofing contractor. Almost all roofing contractors offer free inspections, and it is better to be safe than sorry. Once you have a professional opinion and your photographs, you should have no problems handling an insurance claim.
