Hail damage of roof is quite common than what most people think. Taking some proactive steps will help protect your roof against damage and will help you save considerable amount on your roof repair,if you own a home. You will not only ensure that your roof lasts longer but also have less roof repair expenses as well,if you take definitive steps to lessen the effects of the frozen balls on your roof. Investing in hail resistive roofing materials would be advisable and prevent hail damage of roof.
Hail Damaged Roof – Professional Tips That Will Save You Time And Money
Roof damage due to hail is quite common. You can save significant money on roof repairs if make proactive steps to safeguard your roof from hail damage. You will not only extend the life of your roof through taking steps to reduce the impact of freezing rain on it as well,but also save money on roof repairs. For instance,it will be beneficial to invest in hail resistant roofing materials.
You can judge the severity of the situation by the fact that hail storms recently produced hail that was the size of a baseball. The hailstorms have caused serious damage to the roofs of homes in the major urban areas and suburban areas. With how large the hail, you could easily imagine the amount of damage they may do to your roof particularly when it’s constructed of asphalt roofing shingles.
Repairing Your Hail-Damaged Roof by Hiring a Roofing Specialist
It is possible that you are wondering if your roof has suffered storm damage from the devastating storms that have affected your region. It’s not always easy to answer this question. It is common to examine the area,your driveway is likely to have hail marks on it,looking at your mailbox as well as your air conditioner, the windows,the vinyl siding for your home and so on. If you notice any damage to these particular objects around your home, it is likely that you will,as they are susceptible to hail damage especially when the hail is large in size.
Other indicators of hail damage are seeing shingles granules collect at the bottom of your downspouts or dents. The hailstorm is generally a weakener of the roof’s protection and therefore reduce the roof’s lifespan. This can cause destruction caused by water damage resulting from the hail storm.
How to Identify and Repair a Hail Damaged Roof
It isn’t always easy to spot hail damage, especially if your home is two- or three-story. Damage from hail can result in water damage to your house and decrease the lifespan of your roof. Because of this you should identify and deal with damages as quickly as you can. If you put off the repair for too long, you could also be refused by the insurance company when you finally submit a claim for the repairs. Are there any hailstorms recently in your region? Do you think your home might have been damaged? The steps below can help you determine the extent of damage and outline the steps to getting it repaired.
Step One: Examine the outside of your home to see if there is visible signs of damage. Check for signs of fresh damaged paint or scratches on the siding. You are able to inspect your roof for missing shingles,blisters, or damage. Also, check for dings or dents in your downspouts and gutters.
Step 2: Examine your home for obvious signs of damage. Water stains or running down your walls are signs that you need to fix the issue promptly. If you don’t address leaks in your roof in a timely fashion you could end up having to completely replace your roof and also make major repairs do to the water that is leaking into your house.
Step 3: Call your insurance company immediately and let them know about the damages. An adjuster is likely to come out to assess your home and give you an estimate of the cost.
Step Four: Call your local roofing company to get an independent assessment. Always get a second opinion from a reputable roofing contractor,even if your insurance agent and adjuster are reliable. They shouldn’t have any bias because they aren’t employed by the insurance company. If there’s a discrepancy between the two assessments Most roofing contractors will be capable of communicating with insurance companies.
Step Five: Get all of the details in writing. The roofing company you choose to use should supply you with a contract detailing the work that will be completed and what it will cost. You insurance company should also offer you documentation regarding the details of your claim. You can protect yourself by getting all the details you need in written form.
Important Steps to Take for Hail Damage on Your Roof
A roof is very susceptible to hail damage from a storm. Strong weather can cause severe damage to roofs. The impact can cause holes,dents,holes; pockmarked paint; chipped or broken tiles; as well as granular loss. A variety of symptoms could follow which strongly suggest damage has occurred.
These are the signs of major hail damage:
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- Dents and Pits – This is major evidence of storm destruction. It may differ based on the angle of the structure. Flat roofs may be more vulnerable to hail damage than pitched roofs. The appearance of damage could be greater on metal roofing than on asphalt shingles,or slate.
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- Paint Disturbance Certain materials for the home can be painted with different colors to improve their appearance. The flaking of paint could result from hail hitting the material. This can cause pockmarks. These marks look ugly and can create a negative perception of the roofing appearance,even if the damage isn’t that serious.
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- Granular Loss – The most commonly used material on roofs is asphalt shingles. This type of roofing material can occasionally suffer from the loss of granularity following a hailstorm. This can result in the roof becoming leaky. Nail heads can appear when this happens. The difference between normal granular loss and extreme weather damage is in the shape. Normal wear and tear causes a uniform loss,while hail damage tends to be more circular and isolated.
- Damaged Wood and Tile The size of hail can range from a pea-sized to a softball or grapefruit size. The force at which hail strikes a roof can cause significant damage. The frozen water that falls onto the top of the house can chip,crack and scratch the shingles or wood.
Hail Damage Roof Repair FAQs
Sun,wind,rain and hail have all had a chance to damage your roof and the time has come to think about re-roofing. How do you know if your roof is ready for re-roofing? Who will give you trustworthy advice? Where do you start? How many bids should you get? What part should you play during the construction process? What is fair to expect of a contractor? What are the permit and licensing laws in the State of Your State?
If these are questions you are asking yourself,you have come to the right place! The Roofing Contractors Association of Your State (RCAT) is an organization of professional roofing contractors dedicated to the practice,and teaching,of the skills needed to protect your building from the elements. We offer this guide as a sincere effort to help the customer and contractor arrive at a happy conclusion to a successful effort.
Are you ready for a re-roof?
After a hail storm has hit your area,it may or may not be obvious that you need a new roof. While some hail may produce leaks that appear immediately,quite often hail may only fracture your shingles,which leads to premature roof failure. An inspection by a professional roofing contractor can answer this question. If you have a roof that is fifteen years old or older and it starts to show signs of deterioration,or produces leaks,it is time to call your roofing professional for an inspection and consultation.
Choose a member of the Roofing Contractors Association of Your State
The State of Your State has no licensing requirement in place for roofing contractors at this time (2000 – 2001). RCAT is a twenty-five year old organization that was founded with the expressed purpose of bettering the roofing profession through education and the pursuit of a quality product.
By choosing a member of RCAT to be involved with your project,you are assured that you have a contractor who has had a successful track record in this field. To become a member,a contractor has to produce qualified references and be known to his competitors in the roofing community.
What is a Certified Roofing Contractor?
In the absence of licensing laws in Your State,RCAT has developed a comprehensive testing program. These tests are strictly monitored and require thorough knowledge of commercial roofing,residential roofing,and business and contract law. Certified contractors are leaders in their field who are bringing a proven professionalism to your roofing or re-roofing project.