Hail Damage To Shingles
Common Insurance Misconceptions Regarding Hail Damage
If your home has recently been through a severe hailstorm, it is possible your roof has experienced at least some hail damage. This weather phenomenon can destroy shingles, chimneys, and any metal roofing parts. As time goes on, this can cause even more serious issues with your roof, including leakage. That is why it is crucial to have your roof inspected by an insurance adjuster. The following are some common misconceptions insurance coverage after a hailstorm.
There Are No Visible Issues With the Roof
Your roof will need to be inspected by a qualified adjuster to ensure that there is nothing wrong with the home. The adjuster will look at any problems around the shingles, vents, and chimney. They will also take a look at the guttering and downspouts to ensure they are still working properly. Hail damage is not always easily visible, so it is crucial to have a professional assess the area.
The Shingles Are Present
It is not uncommon to find shingles strewn about after a storm with significant amounts of wind and hail. Although this is caused by the wind it doesn’t mean that heavy rain can’t cause problems as well. The strong impact on shingles can cause them to become brittle. The likelihood of roofing problems will be strong if any sandy substance appears in the downspouts.
Roof Hail Damage: What Should You Do?
There’s a high chance that you’ll need an inspection for roof hail damage at some point if you reside in Texas.
Thunderstorms are commonplace in Texas as well as other states in the central region. They are usually violent and cause massive property damage as a result of wind, lightning and hail. Although tornadoes are frequently regarded as the most destructive element of a storm, they usually only affect just a few structures prior to they disperse. One hail storm however is often a major threat to hundreds of homes as it travels over an urban area. The damage to the roof may be visible from the ground, but most times, an inspection of the roof is needed to find out if the damage is present. If your home has been damaged by hail, you will require an initial inspection. Contact the insurance company and then select a roofing contractor to do the necessary job.
Top Signs of Hail Damage On Your Roof
1. Check for loose asphalt granules near your down spouts
Hail can cause hail to strike the roof, and tear the top layer of granules from your roofing shingles. The granules, once mixed with rain, will end up in your gutter and the area where water is drained from the downspout. To check for loose granules look into the gutters as well as towards the end of the downspout. If you find loose granules this indicates roof damage.
2. Downspouts and gutters as well as any other metal part could be damaged
Hail may damage or scratch smaller metals such as those on down spouts and gutters. It is easy to examine for damage by running a piece of sidewalk chalk along the down spout. If the chalk isn’t visible on the down spout there is an indentation. You should also inspect items that are in your backyard, like barbecue grills, garage doors and patio furniture. If there is evidence of dents, your roofing is likely damaged too.
3. Be sure to are checking your A/C unit
Condenser coils are part of A/C units. The coil is made of fine aluminum finsthat are often visible in the units. The fins are bent when hail hits them and they stop transferring heat through them. Even if 10 percent of the fins been bent, it could nevertheless cause damage to the unit. If you discover that the unit has bent fins, this is a strong sign of hail damage to your roof.
4. If you’re comfortable, climb an incline to the edge of your roof
From the edge of the roof You can see any loose granules floating in the gutters. You can also try to find dents on vents, or look for scratches on valley metal. Damage to the roof shingles can be difficult to detect with the untrained eye.
5. Keep up with news stories
If you were not living at home at the time of the storm you, talk to your neighbors or check on the news. Your roof may not be damaged simply because your car hasn’t been damaged. Because asphalt shingles don’t contain metal, they are more prone to being damaged than cars.
A Quick Guide to Identifying Hail Damage and Getting It Fixed
Hailstorms can be unpredictable, and they can be alarming. It might appear as if it’s going rain at first however, large spheres or ice suddenly start to fall. It is possible to shelter your vehicle , but not your house. There are steps you can take to ensure your home is protected in the event of an accident.
Examine your home for damage caused by hail following a storm that has gone by. This can help to stop further damage from happening. After a storm, the roof is usually the first thing to suffer damage. The kind of damage you should look for depends on the type of material used.
If you’re a homeowner with a metal roof look at the upper and less sloping areas as they are more vulnerable to damage. If any of the seams within the metal surfaces is damaged, your home can be susceptible to water leaks. Examine the soft metal surfaces that surround your home, such as gutters or vents and siding for any indications of wear or damage.
Does Your Roof Have Hail Damage? Here’s How to Tell
There are many circumstances that could affect your property or business which includes natural disasters. While there are many things that could damage your property such as fallen trees, strong winds, tornadoes and the like among the most common and disheartening problems that weather could result in is hail damage.
The damage caused by hail is not likely to be prevented. A large hailstorm can cause significant damage to a roof. Hail damage to a roof could be anything from small scratches or cracks in the shingles, to major leaks within the roof boards. It is therefore important to assess and repair roof damage as quickly as possible, in order to prevent any further damage to your home. How do you know the extent of damage to your roof after a hailstorm? How can you spot storm damage?
There’s no time to inspect your roof prior to the spring showers.
It is possible to recognize hail damage if you’ve got the proper reference. Knowing the roof’s condition before the hailstorm is one of the most effective methods to detect any damage. For instance, if a homeowner knows that their roof is in great condition, but it is hit by a hailstorm, they will have a good frame of reference for identifying the exact damage hail caused. Of course, there’s a roof that is already damaged. In this case the identification of hail damage will require a bit more effort.
Hail Damage To Shingles FAQS
If There is Only a Small Amount of Damage, Should I Still Repair My Roof?
Even if you only have a small amount of damage, you must have it repaired to protect the true structural integrity of your roofing system. Neglecting to repair small damages can lead to costlier ones down the line, like water damage.
Will My Insurance Carrier Drop Me if I File a Roof Repair Claim?
Since storm damage is something that is mostly out of your control, it is very unlikely that your homeowners’ insurance carrier will drop your policy. In fact, it is illegal for them to do so in most states. It is possible that there are exceptions to this rule, but in most cases, your policy will not be canceled for filing a storm damage repair claim.
Will My Insurance Carrier Increase My Rates if I File a Roof Repair Claim?
It is common for insurance carriers to raise everyone’s rates across the board after a severe storm or natural disaster. One way to look at this is that you should file a claim for repair since you are already going to help pay for everyone else’s. It is possible that there are exceptions to this rule as well.
Why is My New Roof Not Covered By the Manufacturer’s Warranty?
It is very common for roof product manufacturers to exclude hail repairs in their warranties. In fact, several warranties specifically name hail as a non-covered repair. Keep in mind that newer roofs are more prone to hail damage since they have not yet had ample time to cure and gain resistance against the natural elements. To avoid this problem, talk to a trusted contractor about the affordable hail damage protection options available to you.
Do I Have Storm Damage if All My Shingles are Still Intact?
Missing shingles are not the only indication of storm damage. A storm can cause all sorts of problems for a roof, many of which are undetectable at first glance. For this reason, it is important to understand that your roof may still have been damaged in a severe storm even if it looks like it is in the same condition as before.