Hail Damage To Shingles
Common Insurance Misconceptions Regarding Hail Damage
If your home has recently been through a severe hailstorm, it is possible your roof has experienced at least some hail damage. This weather phenomenon can destroy shingles, chimneys, and any metal roofing parts. As time goes on, this can cause even more serious issues with your roof, including leakage. That is why it is crucial to have your roof inspected by an insurance adjuster. The following are some common misconceptions insurance coverage after a hailstorm.
There Are No Visible Issues With the Roof
Your roof will need to be inspected by a qualified adjuster to ensure that there is nothing wrong with the home. The adjuster will look at any problems around the shingles, vents, and chimney. They will also take a look at the guttering and downspouts to ensure they are still working properly. Hail damage is not always easily visible, so it is crucial to have a professional assess the area.
The Shingles Are Present
It is not uncommon to find shingles strewn about after a storm with significant amounts of wind and hail. Although this is caused by the wind it doesn’t mean that heavy rain can’t cause problems as well. The strong impact on shingles can cause them to become brittle. The likelihood of roofing problems will be strong if any sandy substance appears in the downspouts.
Roof Hail Damage: What Should You Do?
There is a very good possibility that you will require an inspection to check for roof hail damage at some point if you live in Texas.
Thunderstorms are frequent in Texas and in other states of the central region. These storms can be quite intense and can cause huge property damage from wind, lightning, and hail. Although tornadoes are frequently regarded as the most damaging component of a storm, they usually only affect just a few structures prior to dissipating. A hailstorm can often strike thousands of homes in big cities once it has passed through. Roof hail damage can sometimes be visible when you look down. But, the majority of the time a roof inspection will be required to determine the extent of the damages. If your home has been hit by hail, you will require an initial inspection. Call the insurance company and select a roofing contractor to complete the job.
Top Signs of Hail Damage On Your Roof
1. Look for loose asphalt granules near your down spouts
Hail may cause hail to hit your roof and knock off the top layer of granules that covers your roofing shingles. These granules, when mixed with rain, will end up in your gutter and where the water is drained from the downspout. Check in the gutters or near the downspout and see if there are any loose granules. It is easy to tell the condition of your roof if you see loose chunks of granules.
2. Downspouts, gutters, and all other metal parts may be damaged
Hail is known to dent or ding thinner metals like the ones on down spouts and gutters. A piece of sidewalk chalk may be used to look for scratches. Wherever the chalk doesn’t appear in the down spout there is an indentation. Be sure to inspect the items that are in your yard, including barbecue grills, garage doors, metal siding and patio furniture, as well as lights and garden art. Your roof may also be damaged if there is evidence of dents.
3. Check that you are checking your A/C unit
A/C units are equipped with condenser coil. The coil is made of fine aluminum finsthat appear in the units. When hail strikes these fins, they become bent and stop flowing air through them for heat transfer. Even if only 10% of the fins have been bent, they could nevertheless cause damage to the unit. If you discover that the unit is exhibiting bent fins, it is a clear indication of hail damage on the roof.
4. It is possible to climb a ladder all the way to the roof’s edge when you are comfortable.
From the roof’s edge, you can view any loose granules floating in the gutters. Try to spot dents on any vents or find dents on valley metal. Hail damage on roof shingles can be difficult to detect by the untrained eye.
5. Keep up with news stories
If you were not at home when the storm struck, ask your neighbors or read the news. Just because cars aren’t dented, doesn’t mean your roof isn’t damaged. Since asphalt shingles aren’t made of metal, they are more susceptible to being damaged than cars.
A Quick Guide to Identifying Hail Damage and Getting It Fixed
Hailstorms can be unpredictable and be alarming. It might appear as if it’s going rain at first however large spheres or ice suddenly start to fall. It is possible to protect your car, but not your home. There are however steps that can be taken in the aftermath to ensure the integrity of your property.
If a storm passes, inspect your home for hail damage in order to prevent the possibility of further damage. The roof typically experiences the most destruction after the storm. The type of damage to be looking for is contingent on the materials employed.
If you have a metal roof take a look at the higher and flatter regions since they are more susceptible to damage. If one of the seams on the metal surfaces are damaged, your home could be prone to water leaks. Look for signs of damage or deterioration on the metal surfaces surrounding your home, like vents and gutters.
Does Your Roof Have Hail Damage? Here’s How to Tell
As a homeowner or business property owner, you are susceptible to a number of different events that could cause sudden damage to your property due to nothing more than natural disasters. There are many causes that can damage your property such as tornadoes, high-force winds and fallen trees. However, hail damage is the most severe and demoralizing issue.
Hail damage is not likely to be prevented. A storm of enough size can cause severe damage to the roof. Hail damage to a roof could be anything from small scratches or cracks in the shingles, to major leaks within the roof boards. To ensure that there is no further damage to your property, it is important to swiftly assess and repair any roof damage. What can you do to determine whether hail damage has occurred to your roof following a hailstorm? How do you identify damage from the storm?
If you’re not overdue take a look at your un-damaged roof prior to the spring showers.
It is possible to recognize hail damage if you’ve got the right information. Understanding the condition of the roof prior to the hailstorm is one of the best ways to spot any damage. For instance, if homeowners know that their roof is in good condition and it is hit by a hailstorm, they have a great basis to determine the exact damage hail had done. There may be a damaged roof. In this scenario, determining hail damage requires just some more effort.
Hail Damage To Shingles FAQS
If There is Only a Small Amount of Damage, Should I Still Repair My Roof?
Even if you only have a small amount of damage, you must have it repaired to protect the true structural integrity of your roofing system. Neglecting to repair small damages can lead to costlier ones down the line, like water damage.
Will My Insurance Carrier Drop Me if I File a Roof Repair Claim?
Since storm damage is something that is mostly out of your control, it is very unlikely that your homeowners’ insurance carrier will drop your policy. In fact, it is illegal for them to do so in most states. It is possible that there are exceptions to this rule, but in most cases, your policy will not be canceled for filing a storm damage repair claim.
Will My Insurance Carrier Increase My Rates if I File a Roof Repair Claim?
It is common for insurance carriers to raise everyone’s rates across the board after a severe storm or natural disaster. One way to look at this is that you should file a claim for repair since you are already going to help pay for everyone else’s. It is possible that there are exceptions to this rule as well.
Why is My New Roof Not Covered By the Manufacturer’s Warranty?
It is very common for roof product manufacturers to exclude hail repairs in their warranties. In fact, several warranties specifically name hail as a non-covered repair. Keep in mind that newer roofs are more prone to hail damage since they have not yet had ample time to cure and gain resistance against the natural elements. To avoid this problem, talk to a trusted contractor about the affordable hail damage protection options available to you.
Do I Have Storm Damage if All My Shingles are Still Intact?
Missing shingles are not the only indication of storm damage. A storm can cause all sorts of problems for a roof, many of which are undetectable at first glance. For this reason, it is important to understand that your roof may still have been damaged in a severe storm even if it looks like it is in the same condition as before.