What You Need to Know to Prevent Hail Damage
Your roof is one of the most essential parts of your home or business. Not only does it add a lovely aesthetic to your property, but it also protects you and your property from the elements. Hail storm damage is one of the leading causes of roof damage, and when left unchecked, hail damage can cause serious long-term problems for your roof.
The expert roofing team at Hibbard Roofing & Construction put together a straightforward guide to help you increase your home’s roof life expectancy. Read on to learn more about the dangers of hail damage and how to prevent it.
What is Hail?
Hail is a form of precipitation like snow or rain—the difference is that hail is made of solid ice that forms inside thunderstorm updrafts. These small pieces of ice can cause damage to cars, airplanes, and homes.
When raindrops are carried upward by thunderstorm updrafts, they enter extremely cold areas of the atmosphere and freeze, creating ice. Hail can grow by colliding with other raindrops and freezing again. Hail then falls when the updraft can no longer support the weight of the ice, which allows the hail to fall at speeds up to 100 mph.
How Can Hail Damage Your Roof?
Hail has more power to damage roofing than you might think. Hail may be small, but this solid ice falls from great heights at high speeds, which allows it to cause some severe problems.
Leaks
Leaks are the most common hail damage issue. As multitudes of hail fall against your shingles, they can break off granules that protect shingles from harmful UV rays and other weather elements. The now-exposed asphalt will decay over time, thus causing leaks in your roof.
Holes
Along with causing leaks, hail can also create holes in your roof, and a large piece of hail can fall fast enough to break through your roof. As you can imagine, holes can lead to severe leaks, animals/bugs getting inside, and other roofing issues.
Shortened Roof Lifespan
Even if roof damage from wind and hail doesn’t cause leaks or create holes, it can accelerate the deterioration of your roof. As hail bombards your roof, it can wear down the shingles, gutters, and flashing. When the average life of a roof is only around 20 years, you can’t afford to have that time cut down.
What Does Hail Damage Look Like on a Roof?
Not all hail damage will be as apparent as a large hole in your roof, especially since most hail damage takes place over time. While it is prudent to hire a Lafayette roof inspector after a hail storm to check for damage, you can look for some signs on your own:
● Damaged Shingles: Cracks on the edge of your shingles
● Missing Shingles: Uneven shingle pattern or areas of exposed roofing
● Granular Loss: Granules on the ground around your house or in your gutters
● Fractured Underlayment: Fractures and tears in your shingles
● Extensive Hailstone Damage: A soft spot or indent caused by a large hailstone
Since hail comes in various shapes and sizes, the damage you find won’t look the same. While inspecting your roof after a hailstorm, it’s also worth looking for hail damage on vent pipes, flashing, and chimney caps.
Remember that hail damage may not be apparent immediately after a storm. You may find dents and granules after a hailstorm, but it might be weeks or months before UV light damages underlying layers or you see shingle damage. It can take months and years for water to seep into your roof and attic. If these leaks go without correction, you’ll eventually find mold, mildew, and rot in your roof.
How to Prevent Hail Damage on Your Roof
You want to take care of roof storm damage repair tasks as soon as possible. More importantly, you should protect your roof from future hail damage. Property owners have several options to offer some protection from hail:
Use the Right Building Materials
Your Lafayette roofing professional has access to numerous shingles and roof coverings. Some of these materials are better at absorbing the impact of hail, thus reducing the damage caused. Upgrading to higher-quality materials may cost more upfront, but they will also save you a ton of money later on.
Opt for Weather Barriers
Wind can accelerate the destructive force of hail as it falls. The strategic position of artificial or natural barriers like trees, fences, and walls can help stop hail from getting to your roof.
Regular Roof Inspections
Your insurance company might try to deny your hail damage claims, saying that the damage was already present or not caused by hail. When you have a roof inspection on file at least once per year, you can prove that your roof and its materials were in good shape before the hail storm.
Let Hibbard Roofing & Construction Be Your Guide
Navigating the complex process of repairing hail damage doesn’t have to be a headache. The Hibbard Roofing & Construction team has the skill and experience to inspect, repair, and upgrade your roof. We’re also pros at working with your insurance company to cover damage caused by the weather.
Whether you need a post-storm inspection or you are ready to make some repairs on your roof, give us a call to schedule your complimentary consultation today.