Worried About Roof Damage from Hail? What You Should Know

If you’re a property owner in an area that is prone to hail, you may be worried about the potential for roof damage. Hail can cause serious and costly damage to roofs, so it’s important to understand what causes hail and what you can do to protect your property. In this blog post, we will discuss what hail is, what causes it to damage roofs, and how to get your roof repaired after a storm. We hope this information will help you make the best decisions for protecting your home or business!

Spring and Summer Storms in Georgia: A Commonplace Occurance

Severe thunderstorms are most common in Georgia during March, April, and May. Severe thunderstorms may make a second appearance in September and October. However, according to the National Weather Service, severe thunderstorms can and do occur at all times of the year. 

When it comes to storm damage, we usually focus on wind. Technically, a severe storm is any storm with winds that gust over 58 mph. 

That kind of wind can definitely have a significant effect on your roof. But another measure of a storm’s severity has to do with hail. Any storm with hail over 1 inch in diameter is also considered severe, with or without the high wind gusts. Since hail can fall out of the sky at up to 100 mph, it’s not surprising that roof damage from hail can be a real concern during a severe thunderstorm.

What Causes Hail That Can Damage a Roof?

Hail is a type of frozen precipitation that falls from thunderstorms. It is made up of ice pellets that are larger than raindrops and can range in size from pea-sized to as large as softballs. 

In a severe thunderstorm, strong updrafts carry water droplets high into the sky. Eventually, the water reaches an altitude where the temperatures are below freezing, and the water turns to ice, which falls as hail. If the winds are high enough, multiple water droplets can be smashed together before they freeze, creating larger hailstones. In general, the more violent a storm is and the higher the winds, the larger the hailstones can become.

When hail falls, it can cause damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. The damage occurs when the hailstones hit the surface with enough force to break or dent the material.

Hail can be extremely damaging to your roof.  After a hailstorm you should do a regular inspection of your roof, so you can quickly determine damage from hail and other issues. You should also inspect your roof at least once a year, regardless of the weather.

What Does Hail Damage Look Like?

Hail damage on a roof will usually appear as dents or divots in the shingles. The granules on asphalt shingles can also be knocked off, leaving the underlying mat exposed. This damage can allow water to enter your home or business, which can lead to further damage and costly repairs.

This damage can affect the future performance of your roof shingles, as well as their lifespan. If the damage is not severe, it may take time for it to cause problems. But severe hail damage to shingles needs to be dealt with immediately to avoid leaks and further trouble down the line.  Severe damage exists when a shingle or multiple shingles are punctured or fractured by a hailstone impact. Don’t wait after a storm. Deal with the damage immediately, and call in the professionals.

What to Do After a Hailstorm

If you suspect that your roof has been damaged by hail, it’s important to have it inspected by a professional as soon as possible. A trained inspector will be able to identify hail damage and recommend the best course of action for repair. In some cases, hail damage may not be immediately apparent, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution and get your roof checked out after a storm.

This will help determine if you need to submit an insurance claim for repairs. It also allows you to look for potential leaks. Inspect your roof gutters, too. If they contain mineral granules after a storm, hail, rain, and wind likely knocked them off of your asphalt shingles. If you are there when the storm hits, record details such as duration, the size of the hail, and the direction of the wind. After the storm, call Eagle Watch Roofing, your local Newnan roofer, to do a professional inspection.

Take photos of any damage you find. If you see mineral granules in the gutters and on the ground, take photos of those, as well. This will help your insurance company determine the damage that has been done. It also helps your roofing company get an initial idea of the work that needs to be done before they do their own inspection. A qualified professional will be able to find damaged areas that you may have initially overlooked.

Have Your Roof Professionally Inspected and Repaired

Don’t try to repair the roof yourself. You could end up causing more damage. If you do, your insurance company might not cover it. If the work wasn’t performed by a professional, they’ll likely blame you, not the weather. Call a licensed roofing professional to repair or replace all areas that have been damaged. A professional will make sure the job is done correctly, and you won’t have to worry about future leaks or other issues from the hail storm.

If you think your roof has been damaged by hail, the best thing you can do is contact a professional roofing contractor for an inspection. The contractor will be able to assess the extent of the damage and recommend the best course of action for repair. In some cases, hail damage may not be covered by your insurance policy, so it’s important to check with your provider before having any work done.

We hope this information has been helpful. If you have any further questions about hail damage or roof repair, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help!