- Inspect gutters and downspouts for hail damage. Siding and window frames may also show signs of damage. ...
- If your roof is easily accessible, look for signs of damage, including loose granules or cracks. ...
- Get a professional roof inspection to determine the extent of the damage. ...
- If you have a shingled roof, identify if individual shingles need to be replaced or an entire area needs to be repaired. ...
- Contact your insurance company to see if hail roof damage is covered. ...
- File a claim and hire a professional to repair your roof. ...
Full Answer
What does hail damage do to my shingles?
What Does Hail Damage to Your Roof Look Like?
- Random damage with no discernable pattern.
- A split in the shingle that is brown/orange in color.
- A split in the shingle that has sharp corners and edges.
- A split in the shingle that has little to no deterioration at the edges.
- Impact marks or dents along the splits.
How does hail damage affect roofing shingles?
- Cracks on the surface of the shingles, which spread out from the point of impact.
- Exposed areas of fiberglass mat, where the granule-asphalt surfacing has broken away.
- Fractures in the fiberglass mat which may or may not be noticeable. This could show as the shingles age in the form of rips and cracks.
- Granule loss. ...
Are missing roof shingles really that bad?
Missing shingles, granules filling the gutters, water stains on the ceiling after rainstorms—they all point to roofing problems. Pay attention to these warning signs and act before the problem gets worse and more expensive to fix. What the Roof is Trying to Tell You: The roof has a leak, which can be tricky to pinpoint.
What size hail can damage a roof?
What size of hail does it take to damage a roof? Hail needs to be around 1 inch or more in diameter to cause damage to your asphalt roof. If the hail is under an inch, which is about the size of a quarter, there will be less damage to your roof but your shingles may still need some repairs.
How do you repair damaged shingles?
If a shingle is simply cracked or torn, you don't have to replace it—just repair it. Start by applying a thick bead of roofing sealant under the crack. Press the shingle down and apply a second bead of sealant on top of the crack. Then spread the sealant with a putty knife.
What does old hail damage look like on shingles?
Asphalt and Composition Shingles Hail Damage Hail hits that are black in color. Loss of granules, which may expose the roof felt. Asphalt and/or mat that appears shiny. Hail hits that are soft to the touch, like the bruise on an apple.
Can curled shingles be repaired?
Yes, you can repair some instances of curled shingles, especially if you only have a few shingles that are showing problems. It's important to remember, though, that curled shingles are usually a sign of a greater problem. It could be that your roof is reaching the end of its life.
Can you repair lifted shingles?
The most cost-effective way to fix lifting or curling shingles is to replace them with new shingles. While increasing the air circulation in your attic is critical, addressing the more pressing issue of damaged shingles should come first.
Can 1/2 inch hail damage a roof?
Can 1 inch hail cause damage to a roof? Yes! In fact, even hail smaller than 1 inch can cause damage to a roof or to other areas of your house. After a hailstorm, the size of the hail can be the easiest indicator as to what types of damage you may face.
Can pea size hail damage a roof?
Pea-sized hail: Small hail is less likely to cause direct damage unless there are very strong winds. However, if your area experiences small-sized hail often, it can damage shingles over time. Keep in mind that damage from smaller-sized hail can be hard to notice without professional help.
What do curling shingles look like?
Curling shingles have turned up edges, making the central part of the shingle look like it is sinking (a concave shape). Curling is common, and like buckling, negatively affects the appearance of your roof. The causes of curling can be poor quality materials or normal wear and tear.
How do you flatten a shingle roof?
0:331:30Pro Roofing Tip - How to Get Shingles to Flatten Down - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo much thickness. And girth to them that it takes a while or a few warm. Days for the for theMoreSo much thickness. And girth to them that it takes a while or a few warm. Days for the for the shingles actually to flatten down and glue to each other.
How do you fix a buckled roof shingle?
SolutionsAllow moisture to escape the roofing system. ... Remove the shingles that are affected, and if the felt is wrinkled repair the felt wrinkles by cutting and re-nailing the felt so that it's flat and replace the shingles.Ensure that the attic is properly vented.
How do you reseal lifted shingles?
Cut the tip of the roof sealant tube at a 45 degree angle with a utility knife and load it into the caulking gun.Lift the affected shingle fully with the aid of a putty knife.Apply a thick dab of roof sealant by pressing firmly on the trigger of the caulking gun.Press firmly down on the shingle.More items...
Can you replace just a few shingles?
In the end, if your roof needs just a few shingles replaced or a few minor patches made, you can get a roofer to make those small repairs for you. But, if you need anything more than half of your roof repaired, it's in your best interest to simply re-roof your entire home.
Can shingles reseal themselves?
Shingles that are loose or unsealed could develop a weak bond following exposure to warm temperatures. Shingles that reseal in this manner are not expected to develop the full-strength bond of a sound roof system. Most unsealed shingles should not be expected to reseal but can be hand sealed with roof cement.
How do you know if your roof has hail damage on shingles?
2:207:13How to inspect your roof for hail damage | Pro Exteriors - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd when the hail hits. These little rock looking things there's actually a couple loose ones hereMoreAnd when the hail hits. These little rock looking things there's actually a couple loose ones here they are adhered and impregnated into the asphalt base of the shingle. And when hail hits it it
How do I know if my shingles are damaged?
If you notice a sagging ceiling, broken gutters, leaks or missing patches of shingles, your sheathing may be damaged. When shingles reach the end of their useful life, you may notice they fall off or become cracked, brittle or curled, which means it may be time for a new roof.
What does blistering on a roof look like?
Blisters look like pockmarks and are characterized by a loss of asphalt, sometimes to the extent that you can see the mat, as in this photo. The mat is visible in these close-ups. You don't need to identify the cause of blistering.
What does wind damage look like on shingles?
Potential signs of wind damage: Thin horizontal lines where granules have been worn off about 1-2 inches beneath the shingle above; this could indicate that the shingle seal was broken and the shingle was flapping in the wind rubbing against the shingle above it.
How to tell if a roof is damaged by hail?
If you have an asphalt shingle roof, you may notice the following signs of damage after a hailstorm: Small divots . Round black areas. Bruises, and/or. Loss of protective granules, which may collect in gutters and downspouts.
What happens if you get hail damage on your roof?
If your roof has been damaged by hail, it can be difficult to understand whether the damage is only cosmetic or if it could also impact roof performance. If hail damage is allowing water to pass through your roofing system, then this is a performance issue and should be fixed as soon as possible to help prevent serious water damage to your home.
Why is it important to identify the type of roof damage?
It’s important to correctly identify the type of roof damage so the best action plan can be put into place, which may involve warranty and insurance claims. An experienced roofing professional should be able to differentiate hail damage from other types of roof damage, such as
What are the risks of hail?
If you live in an area that is prone to hailstorms, or hail is forecasted in your area, then anything on the exterior of your home and property left outdoors may be at risk for hail damage, such as vehicles, patio furniture, and landscaping.
Can hail damage a roof?
Roof Hail Damage. Hailstorms can cause serious damage to a roof. The impact from a hailstone can bruise or crack roofing shingles, potentially leading to water damage in your home. While you can’t always avoid roof damage from hail, you can help to minimize the extent of damage by detecting problems early, taking action to repair ...
Can hail damage be prevented?
Contact your insurance agent to learn more. While you may not be able to prevent all hail related roof damage, you can help to minimize the amount of damage and the consequences of that damage in your home. In addition to installing Class 4, impact-resistant roofing shingles, early detection and action are key.
Can you pull a roof into a garage?
Since you can’t “pull your roof into the garage” when there’s a storm, you may want to install roofing materials that are designed to withstand greater levels of impact, such as Class 4, impact-resistant shingles, which may help to prevent or reduce the amount of damage from hail or other debris.
What is hail damage?
Cosmetic hail damage refers to damage that does not affect the viability of the roof to perform its function. In 2013, the American Association of Insurance Services, introduced a “Cosmetic Damage Exclusion” to allow insurers to avoid coverage for cosmetic damage.
What is hail inspection?
Hail damage inspections are vital skills for professionals working in roofing sales and project management. Equipped with the right information and resources, you’ll have a trained eye to spot hail damage for homeowners and commercial companies and help them get fair coverage for the losses they’ve sustained.
What are the factors that affect hail damage?
The severity of hail damage to a roof depends on several factors, including: Type of roofing materials, age of roofing materials, roof slope, quality of construction… . …as well as hail size, hail density, and hail shape and the velocity and angle of its fall.
What is hail in a thunderstorm?
Hail is a type of precipitation that occurs when air updrafts (upward air currents) in thunderstorms carry raindrops into the upper level clouds where temperatures are below freezing. A small particle of ice forms around some type of nucleus. It could be a tiny ice crystal, spec of dust, frozen raindrop or something else.
How big is hail damage in 2020?
How To Spot Roof Hail Damage (With Pictures) Aug 2, 2020. In 2020, the United States experienced 4,611 large hail storms, as documented by the NOAA Severe Weather Database. One of the 2019 storm clusters was a beast of a hail storm in Colorado. That storm dropped a record-setting 4.83-inch diameter hailstone in Bethune, Colorado.
What to do before inspecting a roof?
As always… practice safety first. Before inspecting a roof, make sure you have a good pair of soft-soled shoes or roofing boots. Always check that your ladder is in perfect working condition, and bring a few sticks of chalk to help mark any hail damage you might see. And, of course, don’t forget your camera.
Can shingles be used to spotting hail damage?
Shingles can be tricky when it comes to spotting hail damage, but they’re not the only type of roof out there. You have others like wooden shake, clay, slate and metal roofing.
Shingle Magic for Enhanced Hail Resistance
Unfortunately, hailstorms are a part of nature that we simply don’t have control over. However, we do have control over how we respond to storms and limit the amount of damage they do to our homes and properties. After a hailstorm rolls through, you should immediately check your roof for signs of damage.
Affordable Impact Resistance by Shingle Magic
Once the hailstones stop hitting the pavement, give the experts at Shingle Magic a call! You can feel confident that the roof over your head is as sturdy as it is hail resistant!
How old should a roof be to replace shingles?
If your roof is more than 20 years old and most of the shingles are damaged or badly worn, it’s time to replace it. But if your roof is basically sound and is at a relatively shallow pitch that you’re comfortable working on, you can probably handle most repairs yourself.
How to camouflage a roof?
It's easy to camouflage: Check the gutter for an accumulation of colored granules that have washed down the roof from the shingles. Then gather some into a small cup and sprinkle them over the sealant to mask the repair.
What happens when hail hits shingles?
As hail hits your shingles, the granules on the outside may get knocked off. You may find spots where many granules are missing. But these spots can also be very small.
Where does hail hit a flat roof?
The ridge of your roof is the place most likely to show hail damage. Since the ridge is at the top, hail hits it at a perpendicular angle instead of on a slant.
What angle does hail hit?
Since the ridge is at the top, hail hits it at a perpendicular angle instead of on a slant. Perpendicular hits cause the most damage, so you’re most likely to spot problems on the ridge. Inspect the shingles on the ridge for damage. If there’s damage there, you may have damage elsewhere too. Once you’ve established if there’s damage on ...
What to do when you find damage to your roof?
That way you’ll already be prepared. If your shingles are damaged, you have a couple options. First, you can just leave it. Second, you can get the damage repaired.
Can you see dents in shingles?
Some damage may not be visible. Carefully get down on your hands and knees and feel the shingles for bruises. These are dents in the shingles that you can’t see. If you come across a dimpled spot, press on it to see if it gives at all. If it does, deterioration has probably set in. 7.
Can a professional repair a roof?
Professionals also know the difference between cosmetic damage and functional damage. Only damage that impairs the roof’s purpose can be covered by insurance. If they do find damage, a professional will be able to repair it for you.
Can hail damage shingles?
Though it can look harmless, hail damage to shingles can be serious for your home. Damaged shingles lead to leaky roofs, which nobody wants to experience. If your shingles are letting water in, you’re in for all sorts of problems, including mold.
