Does your roof have hail damage? At Team Construction Roofing and Exteriors, we know that severe hailstorms, like the one we had recently in the Denver area, can cause serious and costly damage. After a major storm, it is easy to miss potentially needed repairs, such as damage to your roof. So, we’ve put together this brief guide to help you understand what can affect the amount of damage that occurs during a hailstorm and how you can determine if your roof has hail damage that may need repair.
Why is there so much damage?
The size and density of the hail have a large effect on the amount of damage. During this last big hailstorm in Denver, we saw hail in sizes up to golf balls and even baseballs, which caused a ton of damage. These hailstones often have jagged edges and sharp points that create dents, cracks, and holes in objects such as cars, roofs, rain gutters, windows and more.
Of course, it’s not just the amount and size of the hail. Wind direction and speed can make the hail impact seem like rocks are being thrown at high velocity. Hail impacts surfaces differently, some surfaces only sustain slight scratches while others will crack or even break from the impact.
Was the damage to your roof caused by hail?
As mentioned above, different surfaces will sustain different types of destruction in a hailstorm and our roofing professionals can inspect your roof for storm damage. Below are some hints that hail might have been the cause:
Asphalt or Composition Shingles
Hail may leave black marks on these types of shingles. Usually, the damage does not look patterned. The asphalt may now have a shiny look to it and may have some areas that feel soft like bruised fruit. There may even be a loss of granules in spots and your roof felt may be exposed. If there is a lot of loose granules on your roof or in your gutters, you may need a professional roof inspection to determine if the hail loosened the bond of your shingles. Such damage may not be readily apparent.
Wood Shingles
Wood shingles will often sustain damage in the form of splits. These splits may appear to be random and have a brownish/orange tint. The splits may have sharp corners or edges and there may be dents in the shingle, especially along any splits. If the shingle has splits but the edges of the shingle look like there was no deterioration that may also be a sign of hail damage.
It is important to know that other kinds of roof wear and tear can be responsible for the marks you see. General inclement weather, sun exposure, manufacturing defects, as well as normal wear and tear can be mistaken for hail damage. Regular roof inspections will help you better track if the damage could have been caused by the storm.
Does your roof have hail damage? If you have inspected your roof and believe it sustained hail damage, call your insurance company to figure out your next steps. If you need to have your roof repaired or perhaps have the entire roof structure replaced, give us a call here at Team Construction in the Denver metro area and we can get started with a free consultation.