When it rains, it pours. And this year, Nashville has seen its share of cats and dogs rainstorms. Generally, a few drops aren’t that big of a deal and won’t cause any damage to your roof. However, if when it rains, it also hails, then your roof may have taken a beating, too.
It’s easy to take the roof over your head for granted, but if the skies have unleashed a freezing vengeful fury on your neighborhood, you’d be well advised to grab a ladder and make your way onto the roof — once the clouds have passed, of course. Checking your roof carefully for hail storm damage may save you from much, much bigger headaches and damage claims down the road.
While hailstorms can be incredibly destructive, the amount of damage can vary greatly from storm to storm and roof to roof. We’ll help you understand the root of the damage, how to identify a hail-damaged roof, and how to get your money’s worth out of your homeowners insurance.
Factors that Impact Hail Damage to Your Roof
Size Matters
The size and weight, or density, of the hailstones factors greatly into the amount of damage rendered upon your roof. Hailstones as small as peas are unlikely to do much damage, but golf balls or softballs are another story altogether.
Fast as the Wind
As if the terrifying notion of frozen softballs raining from the sky isn’t frightening enough, the intense and whipping wind that typically accompanies a hail storm can wreak additional havoc on your roof by increasing the stones’ velocity and by ripping shingles up on its own accord.
Age Also Matters
Naturally, building materials may also absorb impact differently. For example, a brand new, top-quality architectural roofing shingle may be able to withstand more than an aging, bottom-of-the line shingle.
What Does Roof Hail Damage Look Like?
Different roofing materials react differently under different conditions. Metal roofs may show dents, wood may splinter, and shingles may be punctured. On a residential roof, asphalt and composition shingles are very common and hail damage will cause random markings or holes, darken shingles at point of impact, loosen granules (which may expose the felt underlayment), shiny asphalt welts, or areas of asphalt that are soft to the touch. Houses that sport wood shake shingles may suffer from random damage points, splits and splinters, holes, and impact dents.
If you suspect that your roof has sustained damage from hail, contact a professional roofing contractor immediately. Manufacturer defects, construction damage, poor installation, and good old-fashioned wear and tear can often look very much like hail damage.
How to File a Roof Damage Insurance Claim
If you can, immediately note the date and time of the storm. After the storm passes, and if you or your neighbors are home, take photos of the hail and resulting damage. An insurance claims inspector will ask for the date and time of the storm and can easily corroborate your claims with the National Weather Service. When photographing hail stones, set a ruler or tape measure along side the hail stone to establish size.
Before making the call to your insurance company, schedule a free roof inspection with a licensed roofing contractor. Professional roofers will be well-equipped to assess your roof for damage and make recommendations for next steps. Be sure to select a factory-certified roofing contractor and check your local Better Business Bureau’s ratings to avoid fraud and to ensure quality work. After the inspection, have a conversation with the roofer and ask him to document his findings. Do not, however, sign anything at this point. Unscrupulous roofers may disguise roof inspection reports as contingency contracts and your signature may guarantee them the job or authorize direct payment from the insurance company (in which case, they may take the money and run.)
When contacting a roofing contractor for a free estimate, be courteous and make it clear that no repairs are being done at this time, but that you need an inspection for insurance purposes. Make sure you’re available at the scheduled time so you can watch, learn, and ask plenty of questions!
Armor Roofing is rated A+ by the Nashville Better Business Bureau. For quality roof inspection reports and professional roofing repairs, contact Armor Roofing.
IMAGE SOURCE: https://www.travelers.com/iw-images/resources/Weather/Large/RoofDamage_Large.jpg
