A common question among property owners is how to assess if there is any hail damage to the roof and key steps to conduct hail damage repair before contacting a local roofing service.
A hailstorm can cause serious damage to your properties and the hail damage repair cost may go up on the upside if the damage remains unattended. As hailstones fall at around 100mph in speed and with great force and weight, hail impact is inevitable.
Factors Affecting the Extent of Hail Damage
Damage to your property form hailstones differs from one property to another and from one hailstorm to another. There are certain things that might determine the future roof hail damage.
1. Speed and Direction of Wind
The direction and speed of wind change from one place to another, therefore the extent of wind impact when hail hits also changes. The stronger the wind, the higher the chances of roof damage from hail stones.
2. Roofing System
Roof damage is also determined by the characteristics of the roofing material. Roofing systems do withstand hail storm but they are affected in some way. For example, slight punctures in metal roofs, dents in asphalt shingles, cracked wood shacks and so on.
3. Roof Age
Roof’s age matters a lot in determining whether it can withstand a hail storm or not. An aging roof is more likely to be impacted by hailstones than new ones.
4. Location and Positioning
If your house is located in an area where it is surrounded by tall trees then it is less likely to witness severe damage as trees act as a barrier to shield your house. Hence, the location of your property is an important determinant in assessing hail damage.
5. How To Tell If Your Roof Has Hail Damage?
Differentiating between a normal tear or hail damage is a difficult task. Here is a checklist of things you will need in assessing hail damage to your property.
6. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Units (HVAC)
HVACS are pretty common in residential as well as commercial properties. Take a look at your HVACs external part for any dents or scratches. If there are any unusual damages to roof vents or other parts, then it is certainly due to hailstones.
7. Gutters and Downspouts
Severe hailstorm also affects gutters and downspouts. Look out for small pieces stuck in the gutter system and blocking it. There may be asphalt granules in your gutters or chunks of wood if you have wood roofing.
8. Siding and Windows
After a hailstorm, look at your sidings and windows to observe any hail damage. Do not try to scrape off the cut as it may increase the damage. Document these areas where you find hail damages.
9. Other External Areas
Another way to check hail damage is by going around the house and looking at other parts of the house for instance, garden, fence, deck, etc. Finding traces of hail damage on other parts of the house might help in assessing overall hail damage.
10. Roof Shingles
Roof is the main hail shock absorber. There are many small signs that indicate hail damage to shingles on your roof which are included in the list below.
i- Parts of the roof can be missing or broken if the wind impact is too strong. If there are missing or broken shingles or bald spots on the roof, it’s mostly because of hail damage.
ii- Roofs should be hard and sturdy no matter what type they are. If you can find damp spots on the roof, then it is another sign of hail damage.
iii- Try to look out for dents and punctures or signs that are unusual. There also might be some marks which do not have any specific direction. It’s better to call a roofing contractor or partner if you are unsure about the damage.
Safety Reminder: Do not immediately climb up on the roof to assess hail damage after a hail storm has passed. Wear proper gear if you have to climb up. For your overall safety, it is best to call a professional first.
How to Fix Hail Damage
How to tell hail damage is not difficult at all. The best move if to call a local roofing contractor as soon as you spot minor hail damage. Licensed roofing companies have the necessary training to perform all these inspections and can give you the right services if there is any hail damage.
Always prioritize your health and safety and call for professional help. You may take a look at the damage but seeking advice from professionals is the wisest move.
Services of Roof Repair and Replacement at King Builders
We have over 10 years of experience in roof repair and replacement. The important thing to remember is that if the roof is in need of repairs or will require work in the future, then it might be a good idea to take care of roof replacement now. As the general wisdom, if the cost of repairs is more than 50% of maintenance than it makes sense to replace. King Builders & Services provides 24-hour Emergency Roof Repair Service. Listed among the leading Chicago Roofing Services, our team is fully qualified and completely trained to handle an emergency situation and offer quick professional help to resolve your problems.
Contractors at King Builders can tackle all the important home repair and improvement items on your “To-Do” list.
Call the best Chicago roofing company to get estimates for comprehensive coverage and your repairs scheduled today!
