What Should You Look For After a Hail Storm?
Hail storm season is upon us. In fact, April marked the start of hail season in Virginia, which means it’s the perfect time to ensure your property is protected against severe storms and their damaging effects. As you know, thunderstorms can quickly morph into hailstorms, producing hail that’s big enough to damage homes and vehicles, we well as exteriors such as roofing and siding.
It’s important to work with a qualified home restoration company in Virginia for a free inspection and to determine if you qualify for insurance restoration repairs or even a full roof replacement.
Oftentimes, the effects of hail can’t readily be seen from your vantage point on the ground. But that doesn’t mean the damage hasn’t been done. Here are some things to look for after a hail storm, but always be sure to call your trusted roofer to visit the property and provide a thorough inspection to determine the extent of the damage.
Inspect Your Siding
After a hailstorm, damage to siding may appear as just aesthetic surface damage; however, it’s more invasive than that. You may spot siding blemishes such as dents, cracks, and missing panels, or you may see water damage such as mold and mildew build-up. On top of that, siding damage may weaken your foundation, which can result in leaks in your basement. So you can see how just one hail storm can lead to long-term damage if not addressed.
After the storm has passed, walk around your house to look for signs of siding damage. If you see anything, call a professional for an inspection and repair. Common signs of siding damage include chipped paint, dented siding, missing panels, buckled and warped siding, and oxidation marks.
Inspect the Roof
Just like with siding, roof damage can present a lot of long-term issues when left unchecked. Your roof is usually the first thing to face damage from hail because it’s facing the sky. However, the height and positioning of roofs means it’s difficult to spot damage from the ground with an untrained eye. Dented shingles aren’t always obvious.
Yet, dents can do a lot of damage behind the scenes, puncturing holes in your shingles and welcoming water intrusion into the underlayment and eventually into your attic. Those punctures can also lead to higher energy bills because of the hot and cold air you’re losing.
No one’s suggesting you get up on your roof and take a look around. For your safety, inspect things from the ground using binoculars and then call a professional roofer to handle the actual inspection and repair.
Common signs of storm damage to your roof include:
- Missing shingles
- Buckled shingles
- Curling shingles
- Bruised shingles
- Lifted shingles
- Dented gutters
- Dented roof vents
- Granules in gutters
- Damage to chimney or flashing
Inspect Your Gutters
Minor dents in gutters can result in water leaking out before reaching your downspouts to be channeled away properly. But that’s not the only damage that can happen with a hailstorm. The high winds of such a storm can jar your gutters loose, throwing them off their pitch and hindering water flow. In a severe enough storm, your gutters can fall right off the eaves.
Keep an eye out for dents, loose ends, or sections that are pulling away from the home.
Inspect the Windows
Windows take the brunt of storms as well, particularly when high winds are involved. After a storm, go around and check all windows for holes, cracks, broken panes, and frame damage. If left unchecked, these problems will affect the integrity and operation of your windows. If you have window caps, awnings, or cladding, check these items as well.
Filing an Insurance Claim
If your home is showing signs of significant damage due to a recent hail storm, the next step is to submit an insurance claim. Your roofer can help you with this process, taking photos and submitting claims on your behalf. They can then provide a free estimate on repair work that needs to be done.
Your Virginia roofer will then repair or replace your roofing, gutters, siding, or windows to ensure your home retains its value, comfort, energy efficiency, and beauty. Just because your area had a hail storm doesn’t mean you should have to pay for it!
Book a Free Roof Inspection With NVB Contracting
If you suspect your home suffered hail damage after the last storm, call NVB Contracting for a free roofing inspection. Here at NVB Contracting, we have helped more than 5,000 homeowners file insurance claims, saving an average of $20,000 per claim. Our inspections include much more than just your roof – we also inspect your windows, gutters, and siding. Book your free inspection now!