Here’s What to Do About Roof Hail Damage.
No one wants to wake up the morning after a big storm to find out their roof has been damaged by falling hail. Not only can it lead to further roof problems in the future, but it can also cost a pretty penny to fix it. Plus, who wants the pain of dealing with an insurance agency that doesn’t want to help pay to fix your roof?
We are Matute Roofing — one of New Jersey’s most beloved roofing contractors— and today, we’d like to give you some tips on what to do if you suspect that your roof has sustained hail damage.
Hail
Hail is created when upward air currents carry rain droplets into the higher clouds of a thunderstorm. In these upper cloud levels, the temperatures drop below freezing. Here the drops of rain will begin to freeze and fall back down. If the updrafts are strong enough, the rain droplets will repeat this process multiple times.
With every repetition, the hail grows in size, eventually becoming too heavy to stay afloat any longer. Hail can fall in many sizes. Hail only needs to be about the size of a pea to start causing damage to your roof. This is concerning when you realize that they can also grow to be about the size of a softball!
How to tell if hail has damaged your roof.
If a storm has dropped hail of any size on your roof recently, it’s always best to check for any damages. There are multiple places that you’ll want to check out to determine if your roof has, in fact, experienced hail damage.
Your Gutters
Firstly, you’ll want to check your gutters and downspouts for any signs of denting. This is a safe and easy way to check for any abnormalities quickly. Not all dents will be large and easily noticeable, so be sure to check closely if possible.
Your Siding
Next, you’ll want to check your home’s siding along with any windows and windowsills for dents. If you see apparent damage to your siding, your roof will also likely be damaged. Be sure to check your windows for any small cracks too.
Your AC Unit
It might not cross your mind to check the outdoor portion of your AC unit, but it’s important. Hail damage can beat the AC unit up pretty severely. Once again, you’ll want to check for dents along the metal casing and fan blades. You may also find holes in the meshing where hail has torn through.
Your Decks (& Other Outdoor Surfaces)
Check any outdoor surfaces like decks and furniture for signs of damage. As usual, be on the lookout for more dents. However, you should also be looking for cracks and chipped paint that may have been the result of hail damage.
Your Roof
Once you’ve exhausted all other ground-level observations, it’s time to find yourself a ladder and check out the roof for yourself. Of course, if you don’t think you are able to do so safely, please call in a professional to look it over for you.
If your roof has any vents, skylights, chimneys, or things of the like, go ahead and check those out. These should show undeniable signs of hail damage, like dents, holes, or shattered glass. Depending on the material your roof was built with (shingles, metal, concrete, etc.), hail damage may be easier or harder to spot.
These may seem like obvious places to check, but for insurance purposes, you’ll want to be sure that you took note of anything and everything that was damaged by the hail.
What hail damage can lead to.
It only takes a one-inch-sized hailstone to damage shingles. A hailstone about two inches in size can damage even concrete tile and gravel roofing. With a hailstorm possibly creating significant damage to your roof, it’s essential to understand what can happen if your roof is damaged.
If roof hail damage is left ignored for too long, it can quickly lead to leaks or ice dams. These ice dams can prevent melting snow and water from draining off the roof. This will cause further damage to your roof and even your walls, ceilings, and insulation. Leaks and harmful water buildup will also inevitably lead to wood rot, mold, and electrical issues.
If you find signs of hail damage, it is essential that you act proactively and solve the issue before you rack up thousands of dollars worth of repairs.
What to do if you have roof hail damage.
Unless you’re a trained roof contractor yourself, you should give your local professionals a call for a roof inspection. They’ll be able to further diagnose any damage to your roof and give you a better picture of what needs to be done. If the contractor’s inspector thinks your roof has sustained a significant amount of hail damage, that’s when it’s time to file your insurance claim.
Thankfully, there are no contractors more honest, dependable, and reliable in the New Jersey area than Matute Roofing. We are family-owned & operated roofing contractors that have over 20 years of experience in the roofing industry.
If you’re in need of inspections, repairs, or any other roofing services, please give us a call at 973-618-6489. You can also fill out our contact form or check us out on social media — Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.