What Does Hail Damage Look Like On A Roof?

The hailstones from a hailstorm will damage anything that gets in their way, including the roof of your house. These stones can travel up to 20 miles per hour, although more massive stones that are at least one inch in diameter could fall at 40 miles per hour. These stones can quickly pile up and damage your roof.

You will require professional assistance in fixing your roof if it experiences hail damage. You must understand what hail damage looks like on a roof to see if you need help fixing the surface. Failing to repair the hail damage on your roof could result in long-term problems that can harm your house.

Noticeable Dents Around Your Roof

The most common sign of hail damage on your roof entails various dents. You will spot dents on the roof shingles, vents, gutters, flashing, and other features around your roof. In most situations, these dents are less than half an inch in diameter, but more massive hailstones will cause more visible marks. These dents will appear black, as the indentations will cause small shadows to appear around these dents.

Hailstones do not have smooth edges, so the dents will have jagged and rough appearances. The irregular shapes and sizes of these stones can also cause these dents to vary in size.

Lost Granules On Your Shingles

The impacts from hailstones can break apart your roof shingles and cause them to lose their granules. These granules are necessary for protecting the roof while blocking ultraviolet radiation.

The roof felt may be exposed after the shingles lose their granules, increasing the likelihood of the shingles breaking apart and tearing. The problem will cause the wood, fiberglass, or polyester material to become visible and at risk of further harm. Your shingles will naturally lose granules over the years, but a hailstorm will accelerate this problem.

What About Wood Shingles?

For houses with wood shingles, the signs of roof damage will be slightly different. Wood shingles may split and create noticeable corners and edges throughout their bodies. The splits will produce noticeable brown or orange colors.

Broken Shingle Seals

The seals on your shingles can also break in some situations. High winds can accompany some hailstorms, making it where the shingles will lift up and break their seals. Some hailstones can get underneath these seals and allow some shingles to overlap others on your roof. While some shingles can reseal themselves after a while, the intense stress from a hailstorm and stones entering under those seals will make it less likely for those shingles to become resealed. Many seals will break in one direction because the wind during a hailstorm may consistently move in a single path.

Impacted Areas Can Feel Soft

The intense hit from a hailstone can cause some impacted areas to feel soft. The ice from a stone can melt and seep into the roof, making the area feel even softer. The moisture could move deeper into your roof and enter your house.

No Real Pattern

The hail damage on your roof will be random and will not feature any noticeable pattern. Hail falls irregularly and can impact every part of your roof without favoring one spot.

How Can You Tell Your Roof Is Damaged Without Climbing Onto Your Roof?

The best way to check if your roof has hail damage is to climb to the top of your roof and review the shingles yourself. But doing so can be risky, as you’d have to climb up a ladder and review the shingles from the top of your ladder. You also don’t want to physically get on top of your roof, as going on the roof for too long could aggravate the hail damage.

You can review various things around the roof from the ground to determine if it has hail damage:

• Check for dents on your downspouts. Look for dents at least six feet above the ground, as these dents can’t be blamed on a lawnmower.
• Your window screens might also have holes. Look at the screens on the second or third floor of your property, as holes in these screens are a sure sign you have hail damage on your roof.
• Review the panels and wood features on the sides of your house. Noticeable dents and discoloration around the top of the house are signs your roof may also be damaged.

What Can You Do Next?

You’ll require professional help fixing your roof if it has hail damage. A roof repair expert can identify the severity of your hail damage and find a plan for fixing it, whether it entails replacing the roof or fixing individual spaces. A repair team can also assist you with your homeowner’s insurance claim to ensure you won’t spend a substantial amount of money on the effort.

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What Happens If You Don’t Fix Your Roof Damage?

The risks of not fixing your roof after a hailstorm can be dangerous:

• Your home will be at increased risk of water damage, as a leak in your roof can lead to water entering your walls, drywall ceilings, attic beams, or anywhere else in your house.
• Mold and mildew could also develop around your house, as these pollutants can grow in moist environments. These issues could lead to breathing difficulties, plus they are hard to clean yourself.
• Your gutters and downspouts will also require repair if necessary. Gutters and downspouts that cannot shed water well enough could cause further roof damage.
• The attic in your home could become warmer or colder during the winter or summer, as the roof won’t provide enough of a barrier to keep temperature extremes from harming your house. You may notice an increase in your heating or cooling bills in some situations.

Conclusion

Be sure to check your roof after a hailstorm to see if there is any damage to the surface. You will require immediate help fixing your roof if you notice any hail damage. Remember that hail damage can appear in many forms, plus it can spread well past your roof and influence the top part of your house.