How Much Hail Damage To Roof Replacement
If we skim through the factors that damage roofs, hail has to be one of the top elements. There always exists a critical question that states, How much “Hail Damage to Roof Replacement”? This question is pretty valid as the hail sizes differ. In this blog, we’ll guide you through some procedures that might help you identify whether you require new roofing or not.
How Does Hail Damage To Roof?
Hail storms can cause severe damage to your roofs. Your shingles can easily be cracked leading to water leakage etc. Hail sizes can range from a minimum of 4 inches to about 8 inches, in diameter. They can fall over at a speed of 100 mph! Worst scenario? If these hails are backed up with wind drive, they can fracture your asphalt shingles within a few minutes! Such hail slides straight down your roof tearing off the roof and can also damage your windows.
Let’s see what mere damages can be caused by the strikes of hail.
- Roof granules scaling off
- Tears of roof
- Fractures in roof
If the hail sizes are huge, it can damage reliable materials such as concrete, clay tiles, etc.
What Is The Cause Of Hail Damage To Roof?
Hail damage to roofs has always been a hot topic for hail-prone areas. Your home’s exterior might likely be highly affected if proper considerations are not taken into view.
Impact damage
This depends on the size of the hailstones as well as their speed. Whether they’re wind-driven or not. Impact damage is caused by the abrupt strike of a hailstone, leading to dents in the roof. Although these dents are repairable and can be catered easily, yet, these dents do open the way for minor water leakage problems.
Puncture damage
If the hailstones are heavy and gather soft snow mass, they can puncture your roofing! Aged roofs are more likely to be exposed to such damages.
Gutter damage
As the hailstones melt away, this can cause an overflow of gutters and will make them collapse. This can ultimately lead to the shedding of roof shingles
Roofline pooling
After hail storms, the sun rises brightly and this can cause the hailstones to melt. The stones’ water can accumulate in seeps and narrow rooflines, staying there for days. This can cause the roof shingles to react and form mould spores. Such type of growth is very harmful to your roofing as it sheds it off gradually.
Which Size of Hail Causes Hail Damage To Roof?
Any hailstone, having a size larger than 1 inch, can ultimately lead to roof damage. If it is less than an inch, your roof is safe and might only be exposed to a few mere dents.
Sideways, you should also check for the speed of the winds. If the wind speeds are 40 mph to 50 mph, or might even exceed that, this wind speed can severely damage your roofing especially if it is already worn out or old.
What Does Hail Damage To Roof Look Like?
Now the question poses how will you know that the roof damage is done by a hail storm? Here are some short signs that must be taken into view, if you live in a hail-prone area.
Dents in shingles
This mainly depends on the size of the hailstones. If they’re comparatively massive and bigger, they’ll cause dents in shingles. Another key factor is the wind. If these hailstones are wind-driven, they can hit your roof shingles with much force, resulting in severe damage and cracks.
Water leaks
Heavy hailstones driven by high winds can compromise your shingles’ seal. These hailstones are bulky enough to punch a depression in your shingles. Once the hailstone has struck the shingles, it causes them to tear and make them spongy. These all effects potentially lead to water leaks from the roof.
Downspouts
Downspouts are the main component of your drainage system. If you get it damaged by hailstones, all your rainwater can seep through your roof causing drain leakage. When hail stone strikes the drainage system, it can chip off downspouts — opening gateways to more severe damage.
Dents on soft metals
Soft metal is used in different parts of our property. Your mailbox, your door knobs, and different roofing parts such as gutters, flashes, and downspouts, all are composed of some soft metal. Soft metal is more prone to damage in hail storms. If you see deep and oversized dents on soft metal, there’s quite a possibility of this done by hail stones.
Damaged window sills
If your window sills are made up of soft materials such as wood, plastic or, painted surfaces, then these sills are more vulnerable to damage. Damaged sills are a prominent sign of hailstones. Additionally, if the wind is directed slantly towards your windows, then your window might also be subjected to such type of signs.
Missing granules
If hailstones speedily strike your roof and are also backed up with winds. Your roof’s granules will wear off, ultimately. This can compromise the integrity of your whole roofing and, can be exposed to more damage if not catered properly.
What Happens When You Ignore Roof Repairs?
Roof damage can ultimately lead to water leakage which can destroy your roofing as well as your home’s interior and exterior. Listed below are a few results of hail damage to roof.
Mold and mildew growth
Ignoring roof damage and leaks can lead to mould and mildew growth, ruining your home’s exterior and even interior, if the growth is significant
Electrical system problems
If your roof contains electrical wiring, hail-damaged roofs and gutters can lead to short circuits potentially increasing the risk of fire.
Structural damage
Rood damage can cause server structural mishaps!! These mishaps include water seeping through your attic and ceilings. Protect your belongings and your home by undergoing immediate roof repairs.
Can You Prevent Hail Damage To Roof?
Listed below are some steps that might not entirely protect your roof but, can lessen the impact of hailstones and force winds!
Maintenance of roof
Check for the roof gutters, and inspect if they’re damaged, clogged, or overly filled up. If water persists there, there’s a chance of moss growth. Remove moss growth regularly. Other things include looking for missing roof shingles and inspecting if there’s any leakage.
Installation of impact roofing materials
Different impact-resistant materials are available for preventing damage against hail. This may include asphalt shingles with impact rating, tile roofing or slate roofing. These materials’ natural composure is best to resist against hailstones
Get rid of loose objects
If there are any free objects scattered around your lawn, get rid of them. Check for your furniture and other things, can these hurl around easily in a hail storm? if yes, fasten them properly so that the chances of exterior damage are minimal.
Install hail guards
Hail guards are specially designed to protect your homes against hail storms. Install hail guards or different screens on vulnerable areas.
Cut down trees with weak roots
Try to trim trees with weak roots or overhanging branches. These branches, or trees as a whole can cause massive destruction to your home if not trimmed down timely!
What Are The Best Roofing Materials For Hail-prone Areas?
Let’s discuss some common materials that are reliable and have a higher resistance rating against hail damage.
Asphalt shingles
Asphalt shingle is the most commonly used material for roofing. It is the most trusted material for its longevity and is mainly used in USA by the homeowners. As for the hailstorm, impact-resistant asphalt shingles are most likely to last in the phase of hail storm.
Metal roofing
Another long-lasting and aesthetically beautiful roofing is metal roofing. It is the best hail-resistant material. With a class 4 rating of impact resistance, this material can highly resist punctures caused by hail.
Cedar roofing
This material is reliable and energy-efficient. It can last 10 years longer than other common roofings such as asphalt. The best part about is that this roofing is also resistant to strong winds, hurricanes and hailstorms.
Synthetic slate roofing
If you’re a person who admires the outlook and finish of slate, yet can not afford it. So this material is for you. This synthetic slate roofing is lightweight and super affordable. This material can also withstand hail up to 2 inches.
Copper roofing
This material has a class 4 rating for impact resistance. Although it is a bit pricey, it stays on your roof well. Be it 3 years, 5 years or 10 years, this material is bound to stay even during the heavy winds of a hurricane.
Natural slate roofing
If you can afford this roofing, it’s even better than synthetic slate roofing. S1-rated natural slate roofing is one of the most emerging materials against hail storms.
Is a Hail-Damaged Roof Covered By Insurance?
As you’ve taken all of the necessary steps to ensure that your roof is damaged by the hailstones. Now, the question arises as to whether or not will your insurance compensate for this roof damage. Find out what your policy says about hail damage. Ensure that your roof damage is following the insurance policy so they cover up for your hail damage.
Let’s discuss abe type of insurance policies, briefly!
Actual cash value policy
Precisely speaking, this is the depreciated cost to repair. This policy will compensate for some percentage or account for lower payouts. This percentage depends on the actual cost value of the roof at the time of hail damage. You’ve got to pay the rest of the payment by your own pockets.
Replace cost value policy
This policy pays for the new roof replacement, for sure. That means that you’ll get fully paid for your new roofing! However, the payment steps might be in the form of installments.
Initially, you’ll get the payment for the cost value of your roof. Then, a proper roofing inspection will be done, and your roof will be wholly renovated. Once all the steps are done, provide your insurance company with the required images of your roof to ensure successful replacement. That’s when you’ll get the leftover payment for your roof replacement.
Note that, your insurance company will only compensate for the replacement of the damaged roof with the new one — the material will be the same. If you want to switch to a new roofing advancement, you need to pay for it yourself, unfortunately.
When To Contact a Roofing Contractor For Hail Damage Repairs?
If the roof damage is quite severe and the damage done is irreparable, immediately call a roofing professional. Fortunately, Renoage is here to provide you with reliable roof repair and roof replacement services.
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FAQs
Typically, the extent of the roof damage depends on whether you need a roof replacement or only a roof repair. Minor dents and cracks can be repaired however, some damages such as missing granules, damaged gutter, etc., can result in roof replacement. Hence, it's better to get a thorough roof inspection.
If you do not take proper actions for roof repairs, it might end up heavy on your pockets. Water leakage is the main problem which can be mere, yet lead to extreme irrecoverable damage to your roof. Hence, it's better to undergo roof repairs, when needed.
Not necessarily. It highly depends on the damage your roof has faced. For example, A few mere dents can repaired. But if your roof is already damaged and aged, there are pretty high chance of your roof getting replaced.
Here are a few main factors listed that affect the cost of repairing hail damage to a roof.
- Roof Type and Material
- Size of the Damaged Area
- Roof Accessibility
- Labour Costs
- Roof Repair Permits
- Water Damage
- Attic Updates