Has Hail Damaged Your Roof?

Hail storms can cause significant damage to your home’s roof. While most people immediately notice hail damage to their cars, it is a lot harder to see the immediate effects on a roof. Because of this, homeowners often fail to inspect their roofs following a hail storm, only to discover more serious issues later. It is important to recognize the signs of this type of damage, so roofing problems don’t go undetected and lead to larger issues. On top of that, many insurance companies are less likely to cover the cost of hail-related damages if they have been left unreported for a long period of time.

Following a storm, always survey your roof for signs of hail damage or call a professional roofing
company to inspect it for you. Here are the top three signs to look out for:

1. Dents in the ridge cap. This area of your roof will often receive the most damage from hail
storms since it covers the apex of the roof and will take the brunt of the damage.

2. Dents on the metal. Examine any metal parts of your roof, including roof vents and flashing, for noticeable dents. Similar to hail damage on a car, the size of the dent can indicate the size of the hail.

3. Missing pieces of asphalt granules. Chunks of hail and high winds can cause asphalt granules to fall from your roof’s shingles. You may notice large amounts laying on the ground or in your gutters after a strong storm.

These issues can all eventually lead to a compromised roof. If you suspect your roof has been damaged during a hail storm, don’t put off scheduling a roof inspection with a professional contractor. For tips on how to choose the best roofing contractor for your home, read our post: The Benefits of Hiring a GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractor. Following major storms, you’ll often find fly-by-night contractors preying on homeowners in the affected areas. Make sure you don’t fall victim to these roofing scams by taking note of these tell-tale signs. Your home’s roof is an important investment that should be treated as such. By giving it the best care now, it will last you for several years to come.