Hail can destroy a shingle roof in multiple ways.
Though most shingles can withstand smaller hail without issue, larger hail can produce widespread impact damage that requires considerable hail damage roofing repair or even a total roofing replacement.
How Can You Tell If Your Roof Has Hail Damage?
Hail damage can be apparent sometimes and inconspicuous other times.
Noting this, hail damage roof contractors recommend that homeowners know how to identify hail damage on their roofs so they can arrange repairs promptly.
In some cases, failing to do so could lead to the gradual decomposition of the entire roof.
Look for these three main signs after a hail storm and call a hail damage roofing repair service to assess an affected roofing installation.
- Cracked, Split, or Broken Shingles - The most obvious sign that significant damage has occurred and hail damage roofing repair is necessary is shingles with cracks and splits or even chips and chunks missing from the shingle. This can happen when larger hail impact shingles, especially if the shingles are aged and somewhat brittle from prolonged UV damage. This type of damage requires immediate attention from hail damage roof contractors to either replace a few damaged shingles or do an entire roofing replacement.
- Dents or Impact Marks on Shingles - Two less obvious signs of hail damage are little dents on the shingles from hail impact or small scratches or light impact marks where the shingle was hit. Though both of these symptoms might seem mild and may not cause any serious damage from the top of the shingle, the underside may be cracked under the point of impact. Dimples and light spots may not necessarily be unsightly from a distance, but a hail damage roofing repair service should inspect the damage to ensure there are no cracks on the underside that can make the shingles less resilient or water resistant.
- Missing Granules - The most common problem that requires hail damage roofing repair but frequently gets missed until it is too late is widespread granule loss off the shingles from hail impacts. The protective granule coating makes asphalt shingles more UV and water-resistant; hail chipping away at this coating and causing widespread granule loss can cause a shingle roof to fail prematurely. Bald and thin spots on the shingles and granules collected in the gutters are the main signs of this sort of less conspicuous but highly damaging effect.
Though it is commonly assumed that hail damage would be very obvious in all cases, this is not so.
Homeowners experiencing hail should look carefully to identify these telltale signs that hail damage roofing repair is required.
When in doubt, have a reliable hail damage roof contractor inspect the roof after the storm to assess its condition and note any destruction that should be addressed.