A hail storm passing through the area means your roof is at risk of being hit with pieces of solid ice. While some hailstones are small, others can be a few inches or more. Although residential roofs are made to be durable, you might worry about large hailstones or a considerable amount of hail damaging your roof.
Knowing what to expect from hail storms can help put your mind at ease. You’ll know what to do even if you end up with hail damage. Keep the following in mind to better understand the kinds of damage hail can do to your roof.
Hail Damage Factors
Your roof won’t necessarily have damage after a hail storm. A few factors can raise or lower your risk of ending up with this kind of storm damage. The hailstones’ size and density can affect the extent of damage to your roof. Larger, heavier hailstones are more likely to cause harm than smaller, lighter ones.
Wind conditions during these storms can also affect your risk of roof damage. Gusty winds can cause hailstones to hit specific areas of your roof with greater force, resulting in damage. Keep in mind that the wind can change directions during these storms.
The material and condition of your roof can also affect the risk of hail damage. Large hailstones can be heavy enough to crack or puncture your roof, although this partly depends on your roofing material. Asphalt shingles and metal, for example, are more likely to have dents from hail, while wood shakes and similar materials can crack. Having an older roof or a roof that’s in poor condition also increases the risk of hail damage.
Your location and surroundings also affect the risk of hail damage. If you have tall trees or buildings close to your home, your roof might have more protection from hailstones. These kinds of barriers help shield your roof during storms.
Signs of Hail Damage
How do you know if your roof has hail damage? Although you should always have a professional roofing contractor go up on your rooftop to inspect it, there are a few signs you can check for from down below. While looking up at your roof, you might see visible signs of damage after a hail storm.
Asphalt shingles or metal might have noticeable dents after being hit with pieces of hail. If the storm has damaged asphalt shingles, you might also see granule piles near downspouts. Clay or concrete tiles might have cracks or chips, even though these materials are highly durable. Wood shakes or shingles might develop cracks during hail storms.
Keep in mind that roofing systems have multiple layers. Hail can leave minor damage that’s hard to spot from the ground. However, this damage can worsen over time, increasing your home’s risk of developing leaks. For example, a small crack can allow water to seep into your attic over time. This moisture can lead to mold problems and other water damage in your home interior.
If hail causes a roof leak, you might see patches of algae or mildew growing on your roof. You might also see water stains in your attic or ceilings. These signs can take a while to show up, but these roof leaks can result in extensive water damage if they’re not fixed promptly.
What to Do After a Hail Storm
If you suspect your roof has hail damage, you should have a roofing contractor inspect your roof. You might not see any signs when you look up at your roof, but a contractor can take a closer look. A brief hail storm or a storm with small hailstones will not likely cause damage. However, you should be concerned about more prolonged hail storms or storms with bigger hailstones.
Your roofing inspector can look for signs of hail damage, such as shingle or tile damage, wood rot, and leaks. If a roofing contractor finds hail damage, you can have roof repairs done as soon as possible to help prevent more severe consequences. Timely repairs after hail storms help keep your roof in good condition, which helps lower the risk of hail damage and other roofing problems.
Find a Reliable Roofing Contractor
When you’re worried about hail damage, hiring a dependable roofing contractor to do an inspection is essential. Quantum Roofing has a team of experienced experts ready to check your roof for damage and perform repairs. Our focus is on providing exceptional roofing services at affordable costs for homeowners throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
If your roof has storm damage from hail, please contact Quantum Roofing today. Our team can thoroughly inspect and repair your roof to help prevent additional damage.