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Roof Hail Damage

Hail damage can happen to any roof at the most unexpected time. In some instances, hail damage is difficult to detect, and can cause larger-scale impairment to your roof over time if left unresolved.

We at Aegis can assist with all types of roof damage, especially that caused by hail. We can also assist with routine inspections to ensure that small problems don’t progress to larger ones and can help with the insurance claim process.

Read on to learn about how hail damages roofs, and how we at Aegis can help.

How and Why your Roof Gets Damaged

A roof is the primary barrier between your home and the elements and is one of the most important components of your home as it provides the most protection. However, because it is your primary protective barrier, it is also the component of your home that is exposed to the most damaging elements.

Hail, rain, wind, and other adverse weather conditions can all contribute to damaging your roof. Hail is particularly destructive and is usually accompanied by heavy winds which can exacerbate the damage it causes.

storm damage roof

How Hail can Damage Your Roof

Hail can be particularly damaging to your roof due to its unpredictable nature. The size and density of hailstones vary greatly. Hailstones can be as small as peas and can range up to the size of tennis balls. They may be soft and have little or no impact when falling and making contact with building materials, or they may be dense and hard, having a much bigger impact on anything they come in contact with. Hail stones are also usually irregularly shaped, with minimal smooth edges, which can also influence the type of damage that they may cause.

storm damage roof repair

Differences in Roofing Materials

Different building and roofing materials respond differently to hail damage. The type and extent of damage to your roof during a hailstorm are largely dependent on the material that makes up its components. For the most part, roofing materials can handle adverse weather conditions quite well, but not everything is completely damage-proof, and not all materials are created equal.

Hail can be extremely damaging to your roof and might even be difficult to detect on certain roofing materials. For example, it may be more difficult to spot hail damage on an asphalt-shingle roof compared to a metal-based roof. Metal roofing systems and metal shingles will usually show dents and bumps from a hailstorm, which is a sure sign of hail damage.

Asphalt shingles do not reveal hail damage as easily, but clues to hail damage can still be seen on flashing pieces, siding, vents, or gutters (where dents may appear). If the hail was severe, you will be able to see dents in asphalt shingles, holes, bruises, and even some broken shingles.

Wooden shakes can be badly damaged by hail and can result in cracking and splitting of the entire shingle. This can result in exposed roof decks, which can cause a host of problems should moisture find its way inside.

The Extent of Hail Damage

Damage caused by hail can not only affect the surface of your roof but can also cause further damage to your roofing system, your supporting structure, and your walls.

Roof shingles that have been damaged by hail are left vulnerable to faster degradation and fragmentation. This is because hail damage leaves the underlying layer exposed to water and ultraviolet light, which loosens the attachment between your shingles and the base roof layer.  Further to this, broken pieces from your damaged shingles can fill and block your gutters.

If your hail damage is left unchecked, further roof degradation takes place that eventually results in your shingles becoming unable to prevent leaks. Roof leaks can be difficult to detect until they have caused significant damage to your roofing system, and can even lead to damp walls, all of which can be a costly exercise to repair.

Furthermore, it may be difficult to have an insurance claim approved for such secondary damage, particularly if it could have been avoided when the initial surface hail damage occurred.

For this reason, it is extremely important to catch hail damage early, have your roof inspected for any damage that could worsen the situation, and have any damages repaired promptly before further impairment can occur.

How You Can Prevent Hail from Damaging Your Roof

Your first port-of-call is to check whether a hailstorm occurred. There are many tell-tale signs of a hailstorm, such as damaged trees, damaged outdoor furniture, and of course, you may notice damage to your roofing materials.

The next step is to get your roof inspected to determine the magnitude of the hail damage. An inspection will reveal deeper damage and allow you to pick up on small problems and remedy them before they turn into larger problems that cost more to repair.

Finally, after inspecting your roof, you’ll be able to put through an insurance claim to cover the cost of repairing your hail-damaged roof.

roof damage from storm

Why Should You Choose Aegis for Your Commercial Roofing Needs?

While there is no fool-proof way to completely prevent hail damage to your roof, there are several steps that you can take to lessen the effect of a hailstorm and alleviate the resulting damage.

The first of these is to select the right roofing material. Aegis has a range of roofing materials available, and we are always happy to advise which would best suit your home in both a cosmetic and functional way. Having a roof made with the correct materials and that is crafted up to standard ensures less damage in the long run and protects your home from adverse weather events.

Natural barriers are also a helpful way to minimize the damage that a hailstorm can bring. Placing structures carefully around your home can act as protection from hail damage to your roof. Placing trees, fences, and high walls in specific areas on your property can go a long way in minimizing hail damage to your roof.

Finally, the best way to keep a step ahead of hail damage is to have your roof regularly inspected, particularly after a hailstorm. Having a regular roof inspection ensures that problems are caught early and are remedied before they are exacerbated.

We at Aegis are ready to help with all things roof-related. Contact us for assistance with roof inspections, advice on materials, and for assistance with insurance claims.

 

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storm damage to roof