Dec 11, 2022
Hail Damage
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’s a good chance you may need an inspection to check for roof hail damage at some point in time if you live in Texas.
Thunderstorms are frequent in Texas and other states of the central region. These storms are often intense and can cause huge property damage as a result of wind, lightning and hail. Many people think of tornadoes as being the most destructive part of a storm; however tornadoes typically only damage a few dozen structures before dissipating. A hail storm, on the other hand, often strikes hundreds of homes as it passes over a large urban region. The damage to the roof may be visible from the ground, but the majority of the time an inspection of the roof is needed to find out if the damage is there. If your home was hit by hail, you will need to conduct an initial inspection. Call the insurance company, and choose a roofing company to do the necessary job.
Top Signs of Hail Damage On Your Roof
1. Seek out loose asphalt granules at your down spouts
Hail could cause hail to hit the roof, and tear the top layer of granules that covers your roofing shingles. When they are mixed with rain, the granules end up in the gutter , and in the area where the water drains from your down spout. Look in the gutters and at the end of the downspout to see whether there are loose particles. If you see loose granules, this indicates roof damage.
2. Dents on gutters, down spouts and any other metal components
Hail can cause damage or damage to smaller metals such as those that are on gutters and down spouts. The chalk from the sidewalk could be used to check for scratches. In the event that the chalk does not appear on the down spout there’s an indentation. Also check items located around your yard, like barbecue grills garage doors, siding, patio furniture, lights and garden art. The roof could also be damaged if there is evidence of dents.
3. Check your A/C unit
Condenser coils are a part of A/C units. The coil is made from fine aluminum fins, which appear on the unit. They bend when hail hits them and they stop transferring heat through the fins. Even if only 10 percent of the fins have been bent, it could have an adverse effect on your unit. If the fins of your unit are bent, it’s evidence that hail damage has taken place to the roof.
4. You may climb a ladder all the way to the roof’s edge when you are at ease.
There are loose granules on the edge of the roof. Also, keep an eye out for dents in valley metal or vents. It’s difficult to discern hail damage to shingles using an untrained eye.
5. Check up on news reports
Ask your friends if they were at home when the storm struck. Also, be sure to check out news reports. Your roof might not have been damaged simply because your car hasn’t been damaged. Since asphalt shingles do not contain metal, they are more susceptible to damage than cars.
A Quick Guide to Identifying Hail Damage and Getting It Fixed
Hailstorms can be unpredictable and be frightening. It could appear that it’s going rain at first however huge spheres of ice or ice start falling. You can shelter your vehicle , but not your house. However, there are ways to take after the fact to maintain the integrity of your home.
When a storm subsides you should inspect your home for damage caused by hail in order to stop further damages from occurring. The roof is the one that typically suffers the most destruction following an event. The type of damage to observe will depend on the materials used.
Examine the roof’s upper and lower regions for damage. Your home could be at risk of water leaks if any seams are damaged. Check the metal surfaces surrounding your home such as gutters or vents and siding for any indications of deterioration or damage.
Does Your Roof Have Hail Damage? Here’s How to Tell
There are many circumstances that could affect your home or business, including natural catastrophes. While there are many things which could cause damage to your property: falling trees, high-force winds tornadoes, and more One of the most common and disheartening problems which the weather can cause is hail damage.
The damage caused by hail is not likely to be prevented. A large hailstorm can cause significant damage to the roof. A hail damaged roof can refer to anything from minor nicks and depressions in the roofing materials to leak-producing perforations within the boards of the roof itself. It is crucial to identify and fix roof damage as soon as possible, in order to minimize the possibility of further damage to your property. If you’ve recently experienced an area of hailstorm, though, how do you determine if the hail has damaged your roof? How can you tell if there was damage?
There’s no time to inspect your roof before the spring showers.
It is possible to recognize hail damage if you’ve got the correct reference. One of the most efficient methods to determine the roofing damage is to be familiar with the roof in its current condition before the damages. Anyone who is aware that the roof is in great order before a storm hits will have a great basis to determine the exact extent of damage caused by the hailstorm. Of course, perhaps there is a roof that has been damaged before. In this scenario, determining hail damage will require 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.
