Hail damage in the U.S. between the years 2000 and 2019 averaged a whopping $8 to $14 billion annually. In some areas, hailstones measure up to 6 inches and weigh about 1.1 pounds.

Roofs take a huge beating from hail storms, even minor storms. Sometimes the damage isn’t visible from the ground, meaning you’ll have to climb onto your roof to assess the situation. In any case, hail damage roof repair should be your first order of business, before the problem gets out of hand.

Handling roof damage after a hail storm can be quite daunting, especially if it’s your first hail storm. Today, we’ll be taking you through everything you need to know about hail damage roof repair.

What Is Hail and How Does It Happen?

Hail is a type of precipitation just like rain or snow. It occurs when wind currents carry raindrops upwards above the clouds. In these regions, temperatures are below freezing, thus transforming the raindrops into clouds.

The ice will first form around a tiny nucleus, which could be a speck of dust, an ice crystal, or water. The ice then drops back, picking up moisture along the way. Wind currents move the ice back to the freezing zone, where it freezes again. 

The process repeats and the ice particles grow larger and larger until they become too heavy for the current to lift. They then fall to the ground as hail.

Common Signs of Hail Damage on Your Roof

Hail causes significant roof damage, but it’s hard to tell how much damage there is from the ground. In cases of minor hailstorms, it’s hard to spot the damage, even while on the roof. That said, here are a few tell-tale signs of hail damage on your roof.

Broken or Cracked Shingles 

This is one of the more obvious signs of hail roof damage. Climb up the roof and check whether you have any broken or cracked shingles. In severe cases, you might have a few missing shingles that you can spot from the ground.

Need help? Contact 1d Remedy today and we can help repair roof damage from hail and other common forms of storm damage: 717-256-3891

Loss of Granules on the Shingles

Granules are the sandy parts of shingles that make them a little rough. Loss of shingle granulation may seem benign, but it isn’t. 

Excessive loss of granules exposes the asphalt coating on your shingles. This accelerates your shingles’ aging process, making them deteriorate faster. Plus, it also makes your shingles look unsightly.

That said, check your gutters and downspouts for any signs of granules from your shingles. In severe cases, the loss of granules will be visible from the roof.

Visible Damage to the Gutters

The next thing to look out for is signs of damage to the gutters. Pay particular attention to the gutter screens and downspouts. Any dents and cracks could indicate hail damage.

You need to keep your eyes peeled for subtle signs of damage. These dents may not be as large as you may think. If there’s too much damage, consider replacing your gutters.

Damage to Air Conditioners

Check your outdoor air conditioner unit for any external damage. This damage includes visible dents and cracks. In some cases, hail damage roof insurance might also cover air conditioner damage.

Dents on Window Sills and the Siding

Inspect your home’s siding for any signs of impact. That’s because hail doesn’t always fall straight downwards. Sometimes wind makes hail fall vertically right on your siding.

Apart from the siding, also check the window sills and casing. These are also likely to be damaged by severe hail storms.

Can You Repair Hail Roof Damage?

Well, of course, you can repair any damage to your roof caused by hail. Hail damage roof repairs vary from minor repairs to replacing your entire roof. The amount of roof repair you’ll have to do depends on how bad the hail storm was.

Regardless of the extent of the damage, it’s always important to hire a roof repair service for hail damage roof repairs. These services will help you examine the extent of the damage and carry out the necessary repairs. You can try repairing the roof by yourself, but the results might be a little underwhelming.

One mistake most homeowners are guilty of making is ignoring minor damage to their roofs. Understandably, some instances of damage look so minor that they seem not to merit any repairs. However, ignoring these minor issues may work to your detriment.

That’s because there’s a high chance this minor damage may spiral out of control if you let it be. What starts out as small dents may grow into entire cracks on the roof. Sooner or later, you’ll have leaks and water puddles in your home.

If you don’t want things to turn ugly, call a roof repair company as soon as you notice any hail damage on your roof. Also, consider getting hail damage roof insurance, especially if you live in a hail-prone area.

What Is Hail Damage Roof Insurance?

There’s no such thing as exclusive hail damage roof insurance. Instead, hail damage insurance forms part of your homeowners’ insurance. Not all homeowners’ insurance policies cover hail damage, but most do. 

With most of these policies, you’ll have to file a claim one year from the date of the hail storm. Otherwise, your claim will be null and void. Also, homeowner’s insurance only covers roof damage, not damage to your car.

The average payout for hail damage is about $4,300, which is more than enough for most homeowners. If you have this insurance, don’t make any repairs to the roof before the insurer inspects it. Otherwise, it might compromise your chances of getting fair compensation for the damage.

Plan for Hail Damage Roof Repair in Case of Hail Damage

Arrange for hail damage roof repair ASAP, after a hail storm. That way, you can determine the extent of the damage and make all the necessary repairs. Remember, ignoring this damage could have devastating results.

Contact us today for professional and expedient hail damage roof repairs.