A Hail Storm Damaged My Roof: Now What?
Hail season is upon us and you know what that means: the potential for roof damage. While you can’t prevent hail storms or the damage they cause, you can act quickly to get the damage inspected and fixed before it can worsen. The first step is to contact a trusted Winchester VA roofing contractor for advice and guidance.
Determine Severity
Its isn’t always easy for the average homeowner to detect hail damage on their roof – especially from the ground. You have to know what to look for, which is why it’s important to call a Manassas roofer if you think damage may have occurred. But in the meantime, you should attempt to determine the severity of the storm to give you a better idea of potential roof damage before calling.
Hail sizes differ greatly, with some being the size of a dime or smaller, right on up to the size of a golf or tennis ball. In combination with high winds, hailstorms can wreak a lot of havoc on your roof and other exteriors.
The bigger the hailstones, the bigger the damage will be. Hail that is smaller than half an inch may only cause minor cosmetic damage, such as small cracks or missing shingle pieces. Hail that’s larger than an inch can cause serious roof damage, especially when high winds are involved.
Visually Inspect the Roof
After the storm has passed, conduct a visual assessment of the roof from the ground. Be on the lookout for loose or missing shingles, roof discoloration, and wood exposure. It can be tricky to spot these signs from the ground, so grab a pair of binoculars to ensure easier examination. If you have an attic, go up there and look for signs of leaks or sunlight exposure.
Common signs of hail damage to the roof include:
- Buckled shingles
- Missing shingles
- Curling shingles
- Bruised shingles
- Lifted shingles
- Dented roof vents
- Granules in gutters
- Dented gutters
- Damage to chimney or flashing
Check Other Exteriors
Metal products, such as roof flashing, gutters, and fascia often give you the first clue that your home has suffered hail damage because dents show up easily on these materials. Look for holes or tears in window screens and glazing strips around the window glass. Check for dents on the window frames or wood shutters. Keep in mind, hail larger than one inch can crack glass.
If hail damage to windows is ignored, their integrity and operation can be impacted. Check the state of your window caps, cladding, and awnings if you have these.
Check your gutters to see if they are clogged with shingle granules, which can also signal damage to your roof. The high winds associated with hail storms can actually jar your gutters loose, which then throws them off their pitch and hinders water flow. In a severe enough hail and wind storm, your gutters may even fall right off the eaves. Keep an eye out for dents in your gutters, as well as loose ends or sections that are starting to pull away from the home.
On outdoor AC units, electric panels, and fencing, look for spatter marks. On siding, be on the lookout for chipped paint, missing panels, dented siding, buckled and warped siding, or oxidation marks.
Call For a Roof Inspection
If your visual assessment has revealed areas of concern, call a local roofing contractor in Winchester for a free roof inspection. They will visit your property to take a closer look at all exteriors, from the roof and chimney to flashing and gutters. From this assessment, they can determine the level of damage and make recommendations on what to do next.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Notify your home insurance company right away of any hail damage to your roof. You will be asked to submit a hail damage insurance claim. The roofers at NVB Contracting can take care of this for you. In fact, we have helped more than 5,000 homeowners in the area file hassle-free homeowner insurance claims, saving them an average of $20,000 per claim. In most cases, your out-of-pocket expense is limited to your insurance deductible.
Our team will ensure your claim is filed properly so you can recover the maximum coverage for the storm damage.
Book a Free Roof Inspection With NVB Contracting
After a hail or wind storm that you suspect may have damaged your roof or other exteriors, don’t hesitate to book a free roof inspection with our experienced VA roofing contractors. Here at NVB Contracting, we have helped more than 5,000 homeowners file insurance claims, saving an average of $20,000 per claim.
