There are several telltale signs of roof damage if you inspect all parts of a roof after a hail storm closely. If you can identify such damage and act on it ASAP, then you’re protecting your home from further harm.
In this article, we’re going to look at what hail damage looks like on a roof and how you can spot it effectively to stay protected. Let’s dive right into it.
Shingles
Shingles are your roof’s first line of defense. This shield, so to speak, gets battered during hail. And if you’re not lucky, there will be some visible damage on these. Hailstones are icy adversaries that can leave a variety of scars and cause a lot of roof damage over time.
Dings, dents, and bruises can be grouped together as the most common type of damage. Asphalt shingles are very strong but they’re not immune to hail damage, of course. You can easily see this type of damage on a closer look.
Next, there is also probably some loss of granules. Shingles are coated with protective granules that shield the underlying asphalt layer from the elements. A constant bombardment of hail can strip these away. Now, your asphalt shingles are exposed and vulnerable to further damage.
It’s best to do emergency roof tarping over the shingles during a hailstorm.
Without a tarp, shingles can also display cracks and tears. This is not very common, but during very severe hailstorms, you might see cracks forming on your shingles. These are breaches that can compromise the structural integrity of the roof, ultimately causing leakage and further damage.
Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters and downspouts carry the water down from overflowing roofs, of course, and they are the silent victims of hailstorms. There’s a lot of collateral damage that these installations can suffer.
There could be visible roof damage in the form of dents and punctures. If this damage becomes too severe after a few hailstorms, the ability of these gutters and downspouts suffers a lot. As a result, water is not channeled out from around your roof.
Ultimately, a hailstorm is a storm. As such, it brings down leaves, twigs, branches, and other debris that can clog these gutters. Even damaged shingles can shed their granules, further obstructing the flow of water down the downspouts and gutters.
Naturally, this leads to overflowing water, which can cause some serious damage to your roof, siding, and landscaping. If you observe such damage, it’s best to give a trusted roofing company a call for a proper inspection.
Whether you’re in Tampa, Lakeland, or Miami, hailstorms are quite disastrous and the hail damage in Florida is quite serious with 23 reports of on-the-ground hail in 2023 alone. But in comparison to the central US, of course, the numbers are relatively low. Therefore, with hail not being a major concern, roofing in Florida often doesn’t take hail damage into account.
And that’s why hail can cause a more severe impact here.
Flashing
Flashing is like the roof’s armor. Sealing vulnerable areas where different surfaces meet, flashing offers much-needed structural support to your house. But unfortunately, while it’s vital for the integrity of the house, it’s the least of our concerns when it comes to identifying damage more often than not.
That can turn out to be quite a problem.
You see, hail is persistent. It can easily exploit these joints and cause damage to your roof’s defenses, weakening the whole structure. The place to start with is any metal flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights. These areas are particularly susceptible to hail damage.
Always look for signs of bending, denting, and tearing in metal flashing after a hailstorm. If you see any damage, it can be a serious concern if not treated ASAP. Contact a reliable roofing company for a thorough inspection and damage assessment before moving forward with any type of repairs.
Furthermore, hail also causes flashing to separate from the surrounding surfaces. This creates gaps and openings which overflowing, leaking, or collected water can exploit. Once water is in, it’s game over. It’s kind of like how a loose button in your shirt can expose you to the elements.
Flashing is extremely important to pay close attention to. Any damage, dent, or separation in it should be addressed promptly, otherwise you’re looking at some serious leaks and further damage. Flashing being the glue that keeps your roof together, any compromise in its structure can open up your roof to a huge risk.
Other Clues
Shingles, gutters and downspouts, and flashing are obvious. If you’re only going to look at them, then chances are that you’re going to miss the more subtle signs of hail damage in your inspection. Here’s a quick list to cover all bases:
- Plastic and metal vents can be damaged by hail as well. There could be dents or cracks here that can compromise the ventilation of your attic, in turn leading to moisture buildup and other problems.
- If you inspect closely, any exposed equipment might also show some damage, such as damaged satellite dishes or antennas.
- There is also the possibility of interior leaks and water stains. This is not the most obvious sign of hail damage, but something that starts inside your home and can cause problems later on. If you find water stains on your ceilings or walls, it’s very important to get this inspected because it could be a sign of a structural issue, possibly something that’s too late to fix.
Wrapping Up
As any Florida roofing contractor will tell you, hail is on nobody’s mind when they are thinking about protective measures. At least, that’s the case in the majority of households – and that’s exactly why hailstorm damage can be so severe for your roof. Your house wasn’t protected against the relentless attack of a hailstorm to begin with.
With these tips in mind, you now know where to look and how to identify potential hail damage. Any damage should be promptly fixed to avoid further damage and leakage issues that can weaken the structural integrity of your home.
