If your gut reaction to a hail storm is “take cover,” we don’t blame you.
When a hailstorm hits it can be fascinating to see the perfectly round ice balls that fall from the sky. If you are a homeowner, though, it likely comes with more than its fair share of stress.
Hail damage to your roof is a part of life that almost all homeowners will have to encounter at some point or another. While it can be anxiety-inducing, hail damage is much easier to face if:
- You know what to expect
- You know what to look for
- You know what to do
If you are in the process of coming up with a plan to combat hail damage, you likely have many questions. What can you do to protect your roof? What does a hail-damaged roof look like? And what size hail will damage a roof?
For answers to all of your questions, keep reading!
What Size Hail Will Damage a Roof?
When you hear the telltale clatter of hail against your roof, you might immediately start to panic. But let’s get the facts straight first!
Not all hail is created equal. After all, you’ve likely seen a wide variety of sizes over the years. From the tiny circles that look like sprinkles to large, golf ball sized hail, each type comes with its own level of risk for your roof.
In general, if the hailstones are smaller than 1 inch, you likely have nothing to worry about. Anything larger than that could be cause for concern.
While the amount of damage to your roof will depend on a variety of factors, including the duration of the hail storm and the material of your roof, smaller pea-sized hail is likely to wear down your roof, while golf ball sized hail will definitely cause some damage to your shingles.
What Does Hail Damage Look Like?
Once the hail storms have passed, it is a good idea to go inspect your roof and exterior for any signs of hail damage. Not only will this allow you to schedule roof repairs in a timely manner, but catching hail damage early is useful if you are planning to make an insurance claim.
But what does hail damage on your roof look like, exactly? Here are some of the key signs that your roof has sustained hail damage.
Craters
The most common sign of hail damage on your roof are craters on your shingles. These craters usually look like small dents in your shingles and may have cracks extending outward from them.
It is also a good idea to check for dented gutters as well. Damage to your roof and gutters may require roof repairs to be performed quickly. If left on their own, they could cause water damage to your roof deck and siding.
Cracked Shingles
If your shingles don’t have a full crater, it is possible that you might still find cracks. While these cracks aren’t always as visible as the craters, they can be just as dangerous to your home. Even a small crack can allow water to seep through. This could cause leaks inside of your home and force you to replace your rotting roof deck.
Missing Shingles
Hailstorms can come with significant winds. You might find that you are fully missing some shingles from your roof. As with the other forms of damaged shingles, it is super important that you schedule a roof inspection with a professional roofing contractor as soon as possible in order to prevent serious roof damage.
How To Repair Hail Damage
Once roof damage has occurred, getting your roof repaired should be at the top of your priority list. Depending on your roof type and whether or not there was significant damage, you may be able to repair the roof yourself.
The first step, though, is to be sure to thoroughly document all of the signs of hail damage that you have located. Taking detailed pictures from a variety of angles will help you with your insurance claims. We recommend calling your insurance company as soon as the damage has been found.
Your next step will be to reach out to a reputable roofing company to schedule a roof inspection and repair. We highly recommend choosing a professional in order to give you the most peace of mind.
That being said, if you have an asphalt shingle roof, it is fairly easy to replace the shingles on your own. Check out the video below to learn more!
How to Prevent Hail Damage
Once you have gone through the process of repairing your entire roof, you won’t want to do it again. Or maybe you just like to plan ahead! Either way, it is likely that you are looking for ways to stop hail damage before it ever starts.
Here are some great ways to help your roof stand up to hail stones.
- Roof Maintenance – One of the best ways to ensure that your roof is up to the challenge of protecting your home from hail is to regularly maintain it. This means getting yearly roof inspections to check for wear and tear, as well as making sure to regularly remove leaves and other forms of debris that can weaken your roof.
- Timely Roof Replacements – If your roof is past its’ prime, but you haven’t taken the time to replace it, you certainly aren’t alone. But you may be hurting yourself in the long run. An older roof will have more trouble standing up to the elements than a strong, new roof will.
- Consider New Roofing Materials – If hail damage is a frequent concern in your area, you may want to consider switching to a more durable roofing material. This could mean purchasing impact-resistant shingles or even making the switch to a strong material like a metal roof.
The Best Way to Repair Hail Damage
When it comes time to care for your roof and protect it against hail damage, don’t hire just anyone. Work with Johnson Restoration’s trusted roofers to get the care that you and your roof needs. Our team has the expertise to repair your roof and protect it against damage in the future. Contact us today to get started!
