There are often bouts of fearsome weather with summer and early fall, although it comes with bright, sunny skies. So, how can you safeguard your home against roof hail damage? Consider undertaking extensive hail damage roof repair services to prolong the life of your roof!
A few noticeable signs tell you whether your roof is damaged by hail or is at risk. The blog here can help you identify the signs of hail damage to your roof and make a sound decision about when you should get it replaced.
Understanding the Dangers of Hail Damage
Even the less violent storms can cause damage that builds up over time, while the most severe and noticeable damages come from hailstones that are the size of quarters and even more prominent. Other significant issues may arise as hail damage can cause the shingles to weaken and pull away from their backings.
The loss in structural integrity can have a ripple effect on the whole roof. The UV rays from the sun can cause the exposed and unprotected areas of your roof to become susceptible to leaks and become brittle.
The roof can also absorb more water from snow and rain when damaged significantly by a hail storm. Freezing may cause the water absorbed by the shingles to expand, damaging them further in the winter. The damaged roof can also reduce its ability to insulate the home causing serious leaks, introducing mold in the house, and leading to significant electrical damage.
Importantly, hail damage has become a severe problem since long before you even notice it on your roof.
Signs of Hail Damage On Your Roof
You know the damage hail can do if you live in an area that gets a lot of bad storms. The larger hail can cause damage to your car, windows, roofs, and more. The roof separates your home from the sky, and it is the portion of the house taking the force of the damage in the hailstorm. Learn to recognize the signs of hail damage on your roof if you are more concerned if your roof has sustained hail damage.
Shingles are cracked
Cracked shingles are surefire signs of significant hail damage to your roof. The roof cracks are pretty obvious and should not be tough to recognize, even for an untrained eye. Your risks of water getting in through the cracks are higher than causing further damage to both your roof and the interior of your house if these cracks are left unrepaired.
Roof is dented
Dents are apparent and almost indiscernible as it depends on the size of the hail that has damaged your roof. The dents in the roof caused by hail appear like small dimples and pockmarks. Dents in your roof should be addressed so that the roof's integrity is not compromised, even if they do not appear to be serious.
Gutters or downspouts are dented
The hailstorm may have caused the gutters and the downspouts to become dented. You can tell when the gutters and downspouts have been damaged since these parts of your roof are usually made out of metal and other easily dented materials. They will not need any replacing if the downspouts or the gutters are dented a bit. If the damage from the hail is a serious one that affects its functionality, then a replacement will be necessary.
The roof has lost granules
It can signify hail damage if you notice that the roof has lost granules. Such damage will leave the base of your roof exposed, leading to further damages, while a few granules lost may not appear like a huge deal.
Dark spots
The layer of black asphalt beneath the outer layer is visible through the dark spots on your shingles. The older roofs will often show dark spots since they have lost their protective qualities and are prone to damage made from the impact of hail and other debris.
DAMAGED OR MISSING FLASHING
Flashing is the most vital component of the roofing system since it aids in directing water away from the roof and into gutters, where the downspouts will carry it off. Water can quickly get under the shingles and into the home when the flashing is damaged or missing.
Common signs of hail and wind-damaged siding.
Hail damage on the vinyl siding is often the outcome of the big windstorms that sweep through the area. Vinyl is not the only siding material affected, as wooding siding hail damage is also typical. Cedar siding hail damage occurs when the storms are incredibly severe, the hail is large enough, and if the wood is on the verge of deterioration, the wood siding is resistant to the impact.
You need to keep in mind that any visible damage can signify a home at risk for further moisture damage under the siding if you notice hail damage to the siding and think it is just a standard cosmetic issue.
Both your roof and the siding protect your interiors, and it can add curb appeal to your home, whether the material is made out of wood or vinyl. All you need to do is contact the roofer in town to schedule an inspection. They can help make the more minor repairs left unattended, leading to some severe issues.
How Hail Damage Appears on a Roof?
Roof damage is noticeable when heavier hail storms take place. Large hailstones and high winds can loosen the integrity of the seal holding the shingles in place at times punching holes through the outer shingle layers that expose the roof.
So, how does hail damage appear on a roof? The amount of damage depends on the quality of the materials present on your roof. For instance, damage to the composite and asphalt shingle may appear as tears or punctures, while hail damage on wooden shingles appears as splits or dents with oxidation.
The whole structure weakens, leaving your home unprotected since a few specific kinds of roofs can hardly determine hail damage.
Other Signs of Roof Hail Damage
You can take an approach on your own by inspecting your roof after a hailstorm, and you may miss out on signs of damage.
Most hailstorms will not cause any noticeable damage, at least not in the proper manner if you have asphalt shingles. Upon impact, these shingles will lose tiny granules from their coatings that become weak and increase the likelihood of insulation and leak issues.
The typical sign that indicates that you need to get your roof inspected is when you notice the tiny black particles in your gutters coming out of your downspouts.
Ignoring hail and wind damage? How it can progress
You can skip the wind and hail damages, specifically if the home's appearance appears fine from the yard or street. It is not usual for a hail-damaged home to stay completely unnoticed for months down the line at a point where slow moisture leaks will cause everything from mold and mildew to wood rot.
Your utility bills are rising during the winter, and the hail-damaged roofs will make the warm air escape. The same is true for the hail-damaged siding. Pests also become an issue with the damaged siding and roofing, specifically the wood siding and the roofing materials. These issues can be avoided with assistance from a routine maintenance schedule.
Do you need to repair or replace your roof after hail and wind damage?
As of now, not all hail or wind damage will lead to a complete roof replacement. "Functional damage" is the technical term for a roof that needs repair, and it means that while it does not require any replacement unless repairs are made, the roof's lifespan will be compromised.
When detected early, the professionals will provide hail-damaged roof repair services that would otherwise lead to more significant issues and even a complete roof replacement.
It is found that older roofs will become the leading candidates for replacement as wind and hail damage roof repairs will add up and eventually offer less protection to the roof safeguarding it from further damage after years and years of exposure to elements. It makes financial sense better to undertake the complete replacement.
Concluding thoughts
You now have the idea that hail damage to your roof can lead to some significant and costly issues for you and your family. Minor damages can easily escalate quickly, causing leaks, insulation, and electrical problems. The only solution to the brand-new roof is a replacement, and Klein roofing now offers complete replacement and hail damage roof repair services.