What Does Hail Damage Look Like On A Roof

What Does Hail Damage Look Like On A Roof? A Guide For Homeowners

Residential Roofing / By

What does hail damage look like on a roof? Recognizing whether a roof has been damaged by hail can be tricky, if not impossible, for homeowners to discern. Additionally, hail damage falls on a scale from minor to major. Often, homeowners are led astray by unscrupulous roofing companies misrepresenting the amount and severity of hail damage to their roofs. Consulting a reputable roofing contractor is crucial to receiving sound advice.

What Does Hail Damage Look Like On A Roof?

Fractured shingles break and separate, eventually falling off the roof. Consequently, the underlying surface, the underlayment and water barrier, becomes exposed to the elements.

Discoloration to the roofing surface can occur following a hailstorm. While this issue may not shorten a roof’s life, it can cause the roof to have a less attractive appearance.

Like a cracked window, a cracked shingle opens the home to a bevy of issues, including moisture intrusion, pest invasion, and algae, mildew, and mold formation.

When a roof suddenly sheds a significant amount of asphalt shingle granules, hail may be the culprit. These granules protect a home from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Indentations on vents, siding panels, ridge vents, gutters, flashings, fascias, and shingles strongly indicate that hail has caused considerable damage to the roof.

Factors Impacting The Extent Of Hail Damage

Temperature and humidity levels in the atmosphere are critical in determining a hailstone’s shape. Hailstones come in many shapes, including conical, irregular, and spherical.

Naturally, a softball or baseball sized hailstone will have a more substantial impact, causing severe damage on a roof than a tiny hailstone. 

The wind’s velocity and direction during the hailstorm determine what speed and angle the hailstones impact the roof surface.

Hail on a rooftop.

8 Immediate Steps To Take Following A Hailstorm

Never crawl up on your roof to assess the situation. It isn’t worth risking injury. However, immediately after a storm, invest the time to evaluate the home and roof’s condition from the ground level.

Before proceeding to the next step in the post-storm process, locate and review your homeowner’s insurance policy to determine what coverage limits and deductible amounts you need to consider.

Don’t file a claim just yet. The insurance company is not necessarily your friend or advocate. However, on a high level, they should know about the situation, especially if you have a dedicated agent.

This step requires significant due diligence on your part. You need to vet your options carefully. Work with an established, local roofing company based in your area, with a respectable reputation.

The roofing company has facilitated a comprehensive roofing inspection. They should document everything and provide a thorough written report with supporting evidence.

Assuming the inspection revealed sufficient destruction requiring repair, you should move forward with the roofing company by signing a contract. Also, be sure to employ mitigation services.

By this point, you should have a strong understanding of the situation. Submitting an insurance claim for hail damage to your roof, and possibly other areas of your home, starts the recovery process.

Your insurance provider will dispatch an adjuster to analyze the extent of damage to your home. Protect your interests by having your roofing company present during this critical assessment stage.

A hail damaged roof with loose shingles.

Consequences Resulting From Ignoring Hail Damage To A Roof

  • Electrical Damage
  • Worse Issues With Moisture Intrusion, Including:
    • Mold And Mildew Growth
    • More Significant Structural Problems
  • Void Existing Home And Roof Warranties

Hiring A Reputable Contractor To Perform A Roof Inspection

For homeowners in Jacksonville, FL, Port Charlotte, FL, and surrounding areas, hailstorms are a fact of life. Unfortunately, fly-by-night operations descend on homeowners following a violent storm. Avoid these amateurs and hustlers at all costs. Choose a reputable, local roofing company to assess and assist. At StormForce Roofing, we help with all roofing services, including storm damage restoration. To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact us today.

Related Posts