Hail – the bane of roofs and cars everywhere. Although rare, hail can reach a grapefruit-size diameter before plummeting towards the earth at approximately 70 miles per hour or more. Yet it doesn’t have to be large to cause significant damage. From the ground, you can’t see the damage to your roof caused by a hailstorm, but our roofing specialists can identify it immediately.
The most common type of damage to your roof is surface damage, especially if you have an asphalt roof protecting your home. That’s why it’s important to use Class 4 impact-resistant roofing shingles. In this blog, we’ll review roof damage caused by hail and what you should know
Signs Hail Has Damaged Your Roof
- Small Divots or Dents in the Roof
- Round Black Areas
- Loss of Protective Granules in the Gutters and Downspouts
- Broken Shingles
Contact Your Homeowners Insurance – After you or a roofing company evaluates the extent of the damages, contact your homeowner’s insurance if you have evidential repairs. The swelling portion of your homeowner’s insurance covers your home, including your roof. It’s standard for a home insurance policy to cover roof damage from hail, wind, fire, or the weight of snow (for our Northern friends).A homeowner should act quickly to collect fair payment for a weather-related case such as hail.
According to a March 2021 NICB Hail Report, From 2018 through 2020, hail claims increased 2% from 832,377 to 849,033, and hail QC (questionable claims) submissions increased 34% from 1,462 to 1,958. From 2018 to 2020, hail claims tended to occur most often in the late spring to early summer months (April – June).
Never Ignore Hail Damage – Damage from a hailstorm isn’t always apparent immediately and can sometimes take years to reveal itself. As soon as you notice your roof has been compromised, take care of roof repairs right away. When the outer protective layer is torn off, this can cause deeper layers to become exposed, making it susceptible to leaks and moisture.
Long-term Effects of Hail Damage
- Weeks after the Storm – The asphalt layer is weakened by the South Florida ultraviolet light making shingles brittle.
- Months after the storm – Shingles may crack allowing water to seep through.
- Years after the storm – As more granules continue to flake off, shingles become less able to prevent leaks. We’ve seen the extent of hail damage where water has saturated attics and storage closets, causing damage to homeowners’ household items and electrical issues.
Contact a Reputable Roofing Company – At Native Roofing, our roofing specialists are expertly trained to identify hail damage and how to restore the roof. Serving Palm Beach, Davie, and the surrounding areas, we’re available to take care of all your roofing repairs. Contact us today at 954-236-9986 for your free estimate or reach out to us on our website.
