Hail damage is one of the biggest threat to any roof. Whether you own, rent or our vacationing, a hail storm can be a dangerous weather event. While most hailstorms are minimal in scope, size and damage, an intense hailstorm can break windows, dent cars and destroy a roof. We’ll show you how to spot hail damage after a storm so you can get your roof repaired before it becomes a bigger issue to handle.
Spotting Hail Damage
The best way to spot hail damage after a storm is to get a ladder and look at your roof. While you can use a pair of binoculars as we’ve suggested in the past for looking for roof damage, it’s easier to inspect a roof via ladder. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, we can come out and do a free inspection for hail damage so you can know for sure.
Before you begin, the three major signs of hail damage are:
- Missing chunks of asphalt
- Bruising in shingles
- Cracking on shingles
The first step is to check roof vents, flashing and valleys to see if any dents are present. By the time you check the roof, hail may not still be sitting on it so until you get up close and look around, you may not realize the extent of damage.
After checking the above, look at the ridge cap. This is the area of your roof most prone to damage from hail because it’s being hit directly as opposed to being sideswiped during the storm. Next, check the shingles. You want to examine the entire shingle and not just the edges for dents and chips.
You’re looking for any missing pieces, exposed asphalt (which is what holds the shingles to the roof), along with any dents or chunks lost from your roof’s shingles. If you press against the shingle and notice any give, it can also be a sign of hail damage or some other type of impact damage and deterioration.
If you’re not sure if you roof has hail damage or not, you can check yourself or hire a professional to come out and do an inspection. If you suspect any type of damage from hail, don’t delay. The quicker you discover if you have damage, the sooner you can get your roof repaired.