Hail Damage to Roof Areas | Common Signs and Causes

If you have hail damage to roof areas then this needs to be repaired as soon as possible. Otherwise, it will get worse and further damage can occur. Sometimes this type of damage may not be visible right away, and the first sign of a problem occurs when you notice a leak inside the home. However, in other cases the damage is very visible and hard to miss.

You do not need to see large golf ball size holes on your roof to have actual hail damage. Hail can take a good deal of shingle granules off your shingles and damage flat roofs as well.

Source: Crane Roofing

Some of the most common signs of roof damage that has been caused by hail can include:

• Shingle granules that form under the downspouts or in other places where water runs off the structure.
• Downspouts and gutters that have dings, cracks, or other visible damage from being hit with hail stones.
• Leaks that come through into the home. These leaks can occur almost anywhere that water can flow to once it breaches the roofing materials and enters the structure of the home.
• Hail damage may also frequently be seen on the vents, drip edges, and fascia of the roof. This may require someone getting up onto the roof to check and that is usually best left to a professional.
• Shingles which are cracked, broken, or missing could be caused by severe weather including hail.

1. Hail Damage to Roof May Cause Mineral Deposits and Shingle Granules to Accumulate

If you have hail damage to roof areas then you may notice an accumulation of minerals or granules under the downspout. As hail hits your roof the granules of the shingles may be dislodged, and washed into the gutter and downspout. You may notice a deposit of these minerals on the ground where the water runs out.

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes states that:

The loss of granules represents the potential for a reduction in the expected service life of the shingle.

2. Check for Dings in the Gutters and Downspouts

One of the easiest ways to confirm hail damage to roof sections is finding dings, dents, or cracks in the gutters and downspouts on the home. As the hail hits these items it can cause small dings or even large dents if the hail stones are large enough. A visual inspection of the components will help determine whether severe weather and large hail have damaged the roof at all.

3. Leaks in the Home Could be Caused by Hail

One of the top signs of hail damage to roof areas is leaking, but this can take some time to develop. If you suddenly notice that there is a leak in the home you should have the roof inspected by a professional to determine why this problem is occurring and how to fix it. Any damage can be evaluated and the roofing expert can explain the options available to you.

Roofing systems must be physically inspected by some one who has training and experience to determine if there is actual hail damage.

Source: Myths and Facts about Hail Damage Insurance Claims

4. Check the Drip Edges, Vents, and Fascia for Damage

During severe weather hail damage to roof areas may affect any vents, drip edges, and fascia. If any of these items are dented, cracked, or misshapen in any way then hail could be the culprit. Any damaged or broken components may need to be replaced to prevent any moisture from getting into the roof and then into the home.

5. Broken or Missing Shingles can Indicate Damage from Severe Weather

One obvious sign of  high wind or hail damage to roof materials is shingles which are broken, cracked, or completely missing. If large pieces of hail hit the roof hard enough shingles may be damaged or ripped off completely, and these need to be replaced.

Have you ever experienced hail damage to roof areas? How severe was it?