Hail storms can be a real nuisance. Not only do they cause power outages and dangerous driving conditions, but they can also damage your roof and home. Roofing companies often have to deal with a lot of hail damage repair requests after a bad storm.
If you’re a homeowner, you must know what to do after a hail storm hits your area. This blog post will discuss the common types of roof hail damage and the steps you should take to repair your home.
What to do After a Bad Hail Storm?
Hail storms can be a real pain. They can ruin your roof, car, and windows. And if you’re unlucky enough to live in an area frequently hit by hail storms, you know just how damaging they can be. But, in the wake of all the damage your home suffers, it’s challenging to know what you should do after a bad hail storm hits your area.
Here are some steps you should take after a hail storm:
- Understand the severity of the hail storm – The first step is to assess the severity of the hail storm. If the hail was small and only caused cosmetic damage, then you may not need to do anything other than fix the damaged areas. However, if the hail was large and caused structural damage, you’ll need to take more drastic measures.
- Check your roof for damage – While you may not be a roof inspector, it’s best to try to determine the severity of the damage with a visual inspection. Look for anything out of place.
- Inspect your gutters, Metal Fascia, and Roof Flashing – Hailstorms can damage your gutters, metal fascia, and roof flashing. If these are damaged, they must be repaired or replaced ASAP. Also, look for dents or gutters clogged with shingle granules.
- Check for other damage – In addition to roof damage, hail storms can damage your windows, doors, cars, and landscaping. Therefore, it’s important to inspect all of these areas for any damage. For example, if you have damaged windows, you’ll need to replace them as soon as possible to prevent water damage.
- Inspect your siding for damage – You should search for discoloration and dents in your siding. In addition, vinyl siding is not resistant to hail and is a good indicator of damage to your roof and whether it was severe enough to do considerable damage.
- Request a roof inspection – After determining that your roof has been damaged, the next step is to request a roof inspection from a roofing company. A roofing company will be able to tell you the extent of the damage and what needs to be done to repair your roof.
- Research potential roofing companies – Once you have the roof inspection report, you’ll need to research potential roofing companies. Make sure to read reviews and compare prices before hiring a roofing company.
- Choose a roofing company – Once you’ve decided on a roofing company, you’ll need to sign a contract. This contract will outline the scope of work and the price.
- Inform your insurance company – It is best to contact your property insurance company as soon as possible after any hail damage to your roof occurs, in case you need to file an insurance claim. Most companies require that storm damage be notified within six months to two years. From there, your insurance provider will assess the roof damage and take appropriate action.
How Much Damage is Common For Hail Storm Damage?
The amount of roofing damage caused by hail storms can vary greatly. The hailstones’ size, frequency, and intensity affect how much damage is done. While each potential situation is different, roofers usually see these standard hailstone sizes.
- Pea-sized hail (less than ¼ inch): These are the most common type of hailstones. They rarely cause any damage and are more of an annoyance than anything.
- Marble-sized hail (¼ to ½ inch): These hailstones are a little larger and can cause some damage to your roof. They may dent gutters, break windows, and damage landscaping.
- Quarter-sized hail (¾ to 1 inch): These hailstones are much larger and can cause significant damage to your roof. They can break windows, damage gutters and roofing material, and cause severe landscaping damage. Inspect this type of damage immediately
- Golf-ball-sized hail(1¾ to 4 ½ inches): These hailstones are extremely large and can cause extensive damage to your roof. They can break windows and severely damage gutters and roofing material. This type of hailstone is rare but can cause significant damage if it does occur. Therefore, you can be almost positive that damage has been done to your property.
If you think a hail storm has damaged your roof, you should contact a roofing company for an inspection. Once you’ve determined the extent of damage, you can research roofing companies, get multiple estimates, and fix the issue.
Are There Roofing Materials Resistant to Hail Damage?
There are roofing materials that are more resistant to hail damage than others. For example, asphalt shingles are a popular roofing material because they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to install. However, they’re also not very resistant to hail damage. Metal roofing is a more durable option that can withstand hail better than asphalt shingles. However, metal roofing is more expensive and can be challenging to install, plus it will show denting from hail.
There are also impact-resistant shingles that are designed to withstand hail better than traditional asphalt shingles. These shingles have a thicker layer of asphalt or a more substantial backing.
Need Roof Hail Damage Repair in Texas?
If your roof has been damaged by hail, it’s essential to get it fixed as soon as possible. Hail damage can worsen and lead to leaks or other roofing issues. New View Roofing is a roofing company that specializes in roof hail damage repair.
We have a team of experienced roofers who can efficiently repair your roof. We also offer a free roof inspection so you can get an estimate of the damage and cost of repairs. Contact us today to schedule a roof inspection.
