Hail storms happen in most areas at least once a season. Hailstones between 1 and 4 inches in diameter can hit cars most of the time. But hailstones can also reach your roof. What does hail damage look and feel like on a roof?
This is what hail damage looks like
Hail impacts on your roof are a common cause of roof damage. These bruises can be seen on the shingles or a significant loss in the roof’s granules. The damage may appear to have caused a misalignment of your shingles or left some marks.
There are several simple ways to identify hail damage to your roofing system. The majority of insurers will categorize hail damage as either cosmetic or functional as they work to repair it.
Functional damage affects your roof’s performance or structure.
These are visible roof hail damages:
- Cracks on the roof
- Broken or fractured shingles
- Roof damage/dents
Cracks at the Shingles
Hailstones can cause shingles to crack when they come in contact with your roof. These cracks affect the function and appearance of the shingle.
Broken Shingles
Hail impact can break or fracture your roofing shingles in certain cases. You may see pieces of your shingles fall off when the damage is very severe. This damage is often caused by softball-sized hail with high winds.
Dents or Impact Marks on Roof
Hailstone impact can be identified by the appearance of marks and dents.
Impact marks and dents on the roof can result from hailstone hitting hard on the surface. These hit marks are often visible on roofs, air conditioners at the top of vents, and other outdoor equipment.
Hail damage doesn’t just look bad. It causes shingles’ protective granules to fall off or cause them to lose their coverage. If you look closely, you’ll see places where the granule layers have been removed or have a hole.
These functional damages might go unnoticed because roofs are high up in your home. Inclement weather can cause damage to your roof, so it is crucial to get a free inspection every year. If this type of damage is not noticed, more serious problems like roof damage and water damage could occur.
Cosmetic Loss
It’s possible that hail impact only causes cosmetic problems, depending on which type of roof you have. This is often true for metal roofs. If this is the case, it may be impossible to claim a roof.
Hailstone Size
Hailstones are different in size. Therefore, your roof’s impact and severity may vary. Hailstone sizes vary widely, from hailstones the size of a softball to those that are 1/4-inch wide.
They are lighter and therefore have a lower density. Although these hailstones can damage your garden and flowerbeds in some cases, they are not as destructive as softball-sized hailstones.
You might also be affected by hailstones that are 4 inches in size, which can cause exterior damage. These hailstones fall from the cloud to your roof with greater density and larger impact.
Hailstone Shape
Hailstones come in a variety of shapes. You won’t get the snow-like polished structure that you might expect, but some of them are crystallized. Combined with the large hailstones, crystals will directly scratch your roof’s roofing shingles.
Wind Speed, Direction, and Hailstorm
Last but not least, your roof’s exposure to wind damage is determined by the direction and speed of the wind, depending on how the hailstone looks.
The impact can be severe. The expected speed for two- to four-inch hailstones is between 44 and 72 miles per hour. Most hailstones carry a lot of damage to your car, including the roof, windows, and body.
What Do You Do When Your Roof Hail Damages?
You have now seen the effects hail damage can cause on roofs. You could easily experience water damage inside your home due to the above-mentioned hail damage.
Roof shingles might develop a tiny hole due to dents and loss of protective material. Roof hail damage, including broken or fractured roofing shingles, will eventually lead to the shingle falling off.
The Bottom Line
It is possible for hail damage to start with minor dents and discoloration that may not be apparent at first. Professional roof inspectors will only be able to see many of the most serious issues. Your roof should be inspected as soon as possible.
