Among the most destructive forms of weather, hail can cause severe damage to your home – and your roof is usually the first line of defense. That’s why it’s vital to identify hail damage, so you can take steps to repair it and prevent further damage.
Here are four signs that your roof has sustained hail damage:
Damaged Or Missing Shingles
Hail can cause shingles to crack, break, or even get entirely torn off your roof. If you observe any damaged or missing shingles, it’s crucial to have a professional inspect your roof for further damage.
Dents In Metal Roofing
If your home has a metal roof, hail can cause dents to form. These dents can weaken the structure of your roof and allow water to enter your home, which can lead to further damage.
And while metal roofing is generally durable, a professional must inspect any dents to ensure that no rust spots develop in the impacted areas and that your roof can still provide adequate protection for your home.
Granules In The Gutters
Asphalt shingles feature granules that protect them from the sun and weather. Unfortunately, hail can knock these granules loose, and you may find them in your gutters or on the ground around your home.
These roofing granules appear like small pieces of gravel and can range in color from black to gray. If your eavestroughs are full of granules, or you observe them on the ground, the felt underlay that acts as a second layer of protection for your roof may be exposed, which can lead to severe water damage.
If you notice shiny spots on your asphalt shingles, this is an indication that the granules have been knocked loose.
Hail-Damaged Roof Valleys
The valleys of your roof are the “V” shaped sections that direct water off your roof. Because the roofing valleys funnel water away from your home, they’re especially vulnerable to hail damage.
Whether hail directly impacts them or the natural slant of the valley funnels hail onto them, the valleys of your roof can sustain significant damage.
If you notice any cracks, breaks, or missing shingles in your roof valleys, it’s crucial to schedule a professional roofing inspection as soon as possible to prevent water damage.
Split Or Bruised Wood Shingles
Wood shingles are especially susceptible to hail damage. Hail can cause bruising (a dulling of the wood’s surface) or splitting – cracks in the wood.
Cracks and splits in wooden roofing systems can allow water to enter your home, leading to further damage. If you notice any split or bruised wood shingles, it’s essential to have a professional inspect your roof for hail damage.
Bruising Or Crushed Asphalt
Hail can cause bruising or crushing of the asphalt matting that forms the base of shingles. This type of damage is usually not visible from the ground, but a professional roofer will be able to identify it during an inspection.
If you don’t notice damage patterns to the shingles, look for granules in the gutters or the ground around your home. If you find excessive granules, having your roof inspected for hail and another general damage is a good idea.
The sooner you identify hail damage, the sooner you can take steps to repair it and prevent further damage. Unfortunately, all it takes is one hailstorm to cause severe damage to your roof. A single water entry point can lead to extensive water damage, mold growth, and even structural damage.
Cracked Or Broken Windows Or Sunroofs
Hail impact can crack or break windows and sunroofs. If you notice any damage to your windows, it’s essential to have a professional inspect your roof for hail damage.
While residential sunroofs are constructed with durable materials and often feature double panes, hail can still cause them to crack or break.
If water leaks between the double panes, it can cause the seal to fail, which can lead to further damage.
Repairing skylights and windows damaged by hail can avert more pervasive problems caused by water damage.
Hail-Damaged Siding
Another telltale sign that your roof could have hail damage is if you notice damaged metal siding after a hailstorm.
If hailstones hit your home with enough force to cause dings or other damages to the siding, the roofing system would also be susceptible to hail damage.
Does Warranty Cover Hail Damage?
A manufacturer’s warranty covers most newer roofing systems, and hail damage could have coverage under the contract. These details are available in the fine print of the product warranty or sales contract.
Some warranties require that you have your roof inspected by a professional within a specific time frame after a hail storm to ensure any damage is noted and can get fixed or replaced following the warranty terms.
The warranty may not cover the hail damage if you don’t have your roof inspected within the specified time frame or follow other guidelines.
It’s also important to remember that most warranties only cover the materials used in the roofing system – not the labor costs associated with repairing or replacing damaged materials.
So, while your warranty may cover the cost of replacing damaged shingles, it likely won’t cover the labor costs to remove and replace them.
Hail Damage Roofing Repairs In Greater Boston, Massachusetts
The Northeast is always susceptible to severe weather. Therefore, it’s critical to know how to identify hail damage. If you are a residential homeowner in the Greater Boston, Massachusetts area and have reason to think your roof has sustained hail damage, contact Flynn Roofing for a free inspection.
As an experienced, licensed, insured, and trusted roofing contractor, we can help you assess the damage and determine the best step forward – whether the most advantageous move is repairing the damage or replacing your roof.
With decades of roofing experience and a commitment to quality craftsmanship, you can rest assured that your roof is in good hands with Flynn Roofing.
If you have further questions about roofing services in Newton, Wellesley, Dover, Hingham, Norwell, Needham, Cohasset, and Scituate, Contact us today to schedule a free inspection.