What Does Roof Damage from Hail Look Like?

For hail damage roof repair in Grain Valley and Kansas City, MO get help from the professionals at United Roofing Services. We offer full-service repairs for rain, hail, and wind. Give us a call at 816-896-4195 to find out how we can help you.

Can 1 inch hail cause damage to a roof?

Any size of hail can damage your roof. Damage from small hailstones less than 1 inch in diameter may be less obvious than damage from hailstones 1 inch in diameter or larger. Larger hailstones will most often cause the type of damage that is readily visible to untrained eyes. No matter the size of the hail stone, you’re likely to see areas where granules are missing or dimples in shingles or cracks. Hail damage roof repair will be necessary in this case.

Can hail damage slate roof

Of all the various types of roofs available, slate roofs, if they are of good quality, tend to be the least vulnerable to hail damage. Normally resistant to hail, poor quality slate roofs are vulnerable to hail damage. Installation issues like side lap, where there is a single layer of slate, can also leave the material vulnerable to hail damage. Of course, the size of the hailstones will affect the roof as well. Few roofing materials, for instance, will hold up well to hail the size of a baseball or larger.

Can hail damage roof shingles

Basic 3-tab asphalt shingles are highly susceptible to hail damage, as are standard architectural shingles. Other shingles, like impact resistant shingles are designed specifically to withstand the harsh impacts of hail. These types of shingles are given a Class 4 impact rating, the highest rating given. These types of shingles are tested using steel balls dropped at varying heights to mimic the impact of hail. Again, no matter how strong your shingles are, large hailstones dropping at a rapid rate may still cause some damage to your shingles. 

If your shingles have been damaged by hail, you’ll need to get shingle roof repair done quickly to avoid further damage like leaks.

Can hail damage cedar shake roof

Cedar shake or wood shake roofs are designed to hold up to hail really well. Still, depending on the size of hailstones and rate of impact, even these strong roofs can get damaged by hail. Cracks or impact marks will usually be visible immediately after a storm. Waiting too long after a storm to get the roof inspected for hail damage may cause the insurance adjuster to consider the damage just a natural part of wear. Unless it’s very serious, hail damage on a wood shake roof may not affect its performance. Severe cracking, however, can leave the roofing felt vulnerable to weather and water damage.

What does roof damage from hail look like?

Hail damage roof problems are not always easy to spot, especially if the damage was caused by smaller hailstones. Because it’s not easy to spot, it’s recommended that you get a roof inspection as soon as possible after a storm. The one common aspect is that the damage is random. There is rarely any discernible pattern. Although not always easy to spot, here are some common hail damage roof indicators.

• Loss of granules on asphalt shingles that may expose roof felt.
• Dimples in the shingles or other impact marks. These marks are often black.
• Areas soft to the touch similar to a bruise on an apple.
• Cracks or splits. With wood shakes, splits may appear brown or orange in color.

Is hail damage to roof covered by insurance?

Among the most common homeowners claims is roof hail damage. Because the hail damage is considered a hazard or peril, most home insurance policies cover hail damage roof claims, under the name of dwelling protection coverage. The structures normally falling under this coverage include roofs, windows, garages, porches, decks, and appliances. Some policies will also cover structures like sheds not attached to the house.

Coverage may vary, especially if you live in an area that gets frequent hail. Cosmetic damage like nicks on your shingles may not be covered, though water damage or leaks caused by hail usually are covered.

How long do I have to file an insurance claim for hail damage?

The sooner you file your hail damage roof claim, the better. That said, most insurance policies require that hail damage roof insurance claims are filed within one year from the time you determine your roof has been damaged. Individual policies will vary, so you may want to clarify the amount of time you have to file with your insurance agent.

Do insurance rates go up after hail damage?

Usually, because hail damage isn’t something you can prevent, your insurance won’t increase when you file a hail damage roof claim. In areas where hail storms are more frequent, your premiums may go up because so many hail damage roof claims are filed in those regions.