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In 2019, over 7.1 million properties were affected by hail damage, resulting in losses of over $13 billion.
As you shelter inside your home, your roof is beaten and battered by the hail. Once the storm has passed, it’s hard to know what to look for when inspecting your roof for damage.
The good news is, we’ve got your back. Read through our list of common roof hail damage signs to ensure you’re ready to weather the next storm.
Dented Gutters and Flashing
One of the easiest ways to spot hail damage is by inspecting the metal parts of your roof. Your gutters, downpipes, and flashing all take a beating during a hailstorm.
Look for pockmarks or dents on the surface of the material. Some of this damage will be cosmetic, but if the hail has removed the surface paint or coating, it leaves the exposed metal vulnerable to rust.
Granule Loss
The sandpaper-like texture of the asphalt shingles is made from thousands of tiny granules.
Hail can wear away at this protective granule layer. This gives your roof a shiny look and accelerates the aging process.
Once the hail has removed the granules, the accompanying storm will wash them off of your roof.
Your gutters and downspouts are the first areas you should check for granule residue.
If you’re considering installing an asphalt roof, check out this guide on how to pick asphalt shingles for your home.
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Exposed Substrate
Heavy hail can shatter your shingles or slate tiles, creating a gap in your roof.
Strong winds whipping through this gap can cause the surrounding shingles or tiles to shift or blow off. This exposes the substrate underneath.
The underlying substrate differs depending on your roofing material. Whether it’s fiberglass matting, a waterproof membrane, or roofing felt, the substrate is not designed to be exposed to the elements.
If this happens, you have a small window of time to fix the problem before the substrate becomes compromised and your roof starts to leak.
Bruising
Some signs of hail damage are easier to spot than others. To the untrained eye, bruising or dimples on your roof tiles are easily overlooked.
You need to run your hand across the surface of the shingles to feel the indentations.
If the dents are deep enough, water may start to pool in them and slowly wear through into a hole.
Smaller dimples aren’t an immediate threat but will give you an idea of which parts of your roof are most vulnerable to future hailstorms.
Rather be safe than sorry. If you spot any of these hail damage signs, call in a professional hail damage roof repair company.
Experienced roofers will know how to repair hail damage in a flash, keeping your home watertight and safe from the elements.
Cracks or Fractures
The final sign of hail damage is cracked roofing material. Large cracks are easy to spot, but small fractures in your tiles or shingles often go undetected.
Again, running your hand over the surface of your roof will help you to identify any damage.
Replacing or repairing a roof tile is an easy job for a professional roofer, but if you delay repairs and allow water to seep in through the cracks, the resulting damage will require a lot more work.
Follow these tips to reduce future hail damage to your home.
Keep an Eye Out for These Signs of Roof Hail Damage
A broken roof can really rain on your parade. Luckily, regular maintenance and professional roof hail damage inspections can help prevent a small leak from turning into a catastrophe.
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