Hail is one of the most dangerous forms of precipitation that nature can produce. Small chunks of ice are damaging enough, but some ice chunks recorded in recent years have reached sizes of six to eight inches.
Your roof exists to keep you and your family safe from nature and elements like hail, but it can only do so much.
A hard-hitting hail storm can harm even the sturdiest of roofs, opening the door up to further damage later on. Because of that, spotting hail damage as soon as it happens is critical.
But how can you tell if your roof has hail-induced wear and tear?
Keep reading to learn about some of the different signs of hail damage that you’ll want to keep an eye out for, as well as why it’s important to spot.
When to Look for Hail Damage
Most modern roofs are built to last, so you shouldn’t worry about a small hail storm causing damage. Small chunks of hail will bounce harmlessly off the surface of your roof.
That being said, some factors can increase the potential for damage.
If powerful gusts of wind accompany a hail storm, the damage will often be more severe. High wind speeds propel the pieces of hail towards your roof at a faster velocity. They can also cause hail to strike your roof at an angle.
Of course, larger chunks of ice are often more likely to damage your roof than smaller ones. If you notice that the hail is bigger than normal, it’s worth checking your roof afterward.
Why Hail Roof Damage Can Be a Problem
Some people might not feel that hail damage warrants repairing a roof. After all, roofs are sturdy—shouldn’t they be able to handle a little wear and tear?
The problem with roof damage is that a small problem can often lead to a bigger one. What starts as a simple crack or dent can quickly turn into something more serious.
Aside from compromising the safety of your entire house, such problems are often much more expensive to fix. In some cases, you may even need to replace your entire roof.
Save yourself the trouble and inspect your roof as soon as you suspect that there may be damage. If you need to, hiring a hail damage claim lawyer can also be a good idea.
Signs of Hail Damage
Depending on the size of ice chunks and the severity of the hail storm, there are several different signs of hail damage that you’ll want to look for.
Here are some of the most common ones.
- Damage to Your Gutters
If chunks of ice are smashing into your roof and causing damage, your gutters are also going to suffer through a beating. Checking them can provide you some insight into whether or not the storm also damaged your roof.
Walk around your house and inspect the gutters for dents. You should also take a look at downspouts and gutter screens.
- Cracks
If you’re able to make it up on top of your roof, one of the most common signs of hail damage that you can look for are cracks on the surface of your roof shingles.
Roof shingles develop cracks naturally as they age. That being said, if you notice them specifically after a hail storm, you can bet that the storm caused them.
Cracks seem simple, but they weaken the structural integrity of your roof. They also open the door up to leaks, which in turn can lead to water damage and other problems.
- Bruises
You might not realize it, but your roof also bruises when it sustains damage. These look like pockmarks or dents but are smaller in size.
If the bruises look small, you might be able to get away with just monitoring them. However, if they’re large, you might want to call a professional to come and inspect them.
Your roof will be more susceptible to additional wear and tear later on.
One way to identify the severity of the bruises is to press down on them. If the bruises give when you push, that’s not a good sign.
- Bubbles
Bubbles might sound nice, but you don’t want them on your roof. As their name suggests, these appear in the form of small and uneven lumps spread across the surface of your roof.
Bubbles form when gas in the asphalt layer of your shingles releases outward. This then leads to the forming of peculiarly shaped objects.
After a period of time, the surface of these bubbles erodes. What you’re left with is a weakened shingle that needs repair.
- Exposed Roofing
One of the most common signs of room damage is exposed roofing. This is when hail causes pieces of your roof to fly off.
Do a walk around the exterior of your home and see if you can spot any shiny areas. If you do, know that this is the under part of your roof and that you should contact someone to come and inspect it as soon as possible.
You can also look for areas where it looks like the granules from the shingles got knocked off.
Know the Signs
If you live in an area that recently experienced a hail storm, it might be time to investigate your roof for hail damage.
Use this guide as a resource to help you know what signs of damage to look for. When it comes to repairs, you can try to DIY, but we recommend working with a professional.
Are you interested in learning more about common roof repairs? If you are, make sure to check out the rest of our site for more home-related guides, tips, and explanations.
