How To Tell If You Have Hail Damage To Your Roof

How To Tell If You Have Hail Damage To Your Roof

Different types of shingles and roofing materials react differently when hit by hail. That’s why it’s important to know how to identify hail damage in your area. And while hail damage can often be difficult to spot from the ground, a trained eye can help you determine if your roof has been damaged by hailstorms!

Checking For Hail Damage

There are a few ways to tell if your roof has hail damage. One is to check your gutters, downspouts, siding, window sills and garage door for dents and dings that could indicate hail impact. Similarly, when a storm hits, you’ll see lots of debris on the ground that’s a direct result of hail. Plants, vehicles, and other landscaping items often take a hit, too. However, even the smallest hailstones can cause significant damage to roofing and siding. That’s why it’s important to have your roof inspected by an expert as soon as possible after a storm.

Damage Factors

The size and density of the hailstorm greatly affects the type and degree of damage your roof sustains. Tiny hailstones are much less likely to cause damage, while those the size of softballs can entirely puncture your roof. Similarly, the speed of hailstones can also make a difference. Hailstones that stagger their initial speed will impact structures like buildings and trees first before hitting your roof. Roofing materials, age, installation, slope, and other factors can also impact the amount of damage your roof suffers from hailstones. Different types of materials absorb the impact of hailstones differently, which can lead to dings in aluminum siding or gutters and dents in asphalt shingles.

What Does Hail Damage Look Like?

Have you ever seen a hailstorm and thought, “I hope this doesn’t affect my home?” Or maybe you’ve been thinking, “Why does my roof have dents/dings when it’s so new?” Hail damage to shingles looks different depending on the material. Asphalt and composition shingles tend to show soft, black hail hits, while wood shingle hail damage is often visible as brown or orange splits with sharp corners. Similarly, slate and metal shingles are prone to dents as, which can look like small circular holes in the shingles. Wondering if your roof needs a repair or a replacement? Contact our professional general contractors today at Coyote Hollow Construction today to  learn about how we can get your roof back in top shape!

Categorised in: Hail Damage