The Few and the Fearless: A Blog About Roofers

It is easy to classify hail as an eyesore, but it is important to remember that the damage is sometimes much more than surface level. Hail damage on a roof can cause serious structural damage that homeowners cannot afford to ignore.

Granule Damage is Very Common

If you have ever had the chance to see a shingle up close, you likely saw the tiny granules that cover the top of the shingle. These granules help limit the transfer of the sun's UV rays, which can help keep your home cooler. They also help keep water from penetrating through the shingles. 

When hail makes contact with shingles, it disturbs these granules and causes them to detach. As a result, all the protective measures that the granules provide are lost. The detached granules can also settle inside your gutters and eventually cause a clog that prevents water from draining correctly, which can also lead to roof damage. 

Permanent Shingle Damage is Possible

Hail damage is also known to cause permanent shingle damage, especially when it comes to certain roof styles, such as clay or metal roofs. With a clay tile roof, the impact from the hail can cause the tile to crack or shatter, and as a result, make it easy for moisture to seep through the cracks. 

With metal roofs, the hail can dent the metal, and with metal, this sort of damage can penetrate the outer layer of the shingle and make it more susceptible to rust, which is especially damaging. Keep in mind; if your roof is aged and already in a vulnerable condition, permanent shingle damage is more likely. 

Delayed Repairs Have Consequence

The cost of this seemingly minor damage can prove to be far more than expected when ignored. Fortunately, many homeowners' insurance policies cover the cost of roof hail damage, but there are restrictions, particularly when it comes to when the roof is repaired. When a homeowner waits a long time to have the roof repaired after the hail damage, their insurance claim may be denied. 

In this instance, the insurance company can argue that the delay on the part of the homeowner caused the damage to be worse, and therefore, is outside the limits of the policy's guidelines and protections. If you spot damage, it is important to make repairs a priority.

If your home has sustained roof damage, contact a residential roofing professional to have the damaged assessed and repaired.