Hail Damage do I need a new roof

Hail damage is always a serious issue that requires immediate attention after a storm passes through. The damage can make your home vulnerable to extensive water damage and can become more severe over time. If your house suffers from hail damage, you need to know what to expect and why a new roof is likely necessary.

Immediately contact a professional roofer in the local area to perform a thorough inspection of the roof to determine how much hail damage is present on the structure. This will give them an idea of what areas no longer have protection, which can be difficult to see from the ground. Most roofing professionals are willing to offer free inspections and estimates to ensure you can get an idea of the cost of the project when it’s time to reroof your home.

Surface hail damage is extremely common and is the first type of damage that the roofer will check for while inspecting the roof. Signs of surface hail damage include small divots on the roofing materials, bruises, and round black areas that have formed. There may also be a loss of granules, which are prone to accumulating in the rain gutters and downspouts.

Many people don’t always spot hail damage on their roof and make the mistake of assuming that the structure is in good shape and doesn’t need any attention. Unfortunately, a lot of damage is hidden and is not always visible. Some shingles can become split when they have contact with the hail, which you can only see when looking at the other side of the shingles. A roofing professional will know how to perform the right type of inspection and can gently lift the materials to look for hidden damage that is out of sight. They also have the tools and expertise to inspect other features like skylights, chimneys, gutters, and flashing.

Discovering hidden damage that is present will prevent any water or moisture from leaking through the roof and into the building, which can put your health at risk and make the building inhabitable.

If you’re not an experienced professional, you can mistake general wear and tear on the roof for hail damage. This includes shingles that are worn out or loose, wind and debris defacement, blistering and cracking of the shingles due to the sun, and damage near the installation areas where shingles are secured.

Knowing what to expect when hail damage occurs to your home can allow you to take the necessary steps as a homeowner. This will ensure the new roof is installed at the right time to prevent further damage from developing in the future.