Hail Damage Roof RepairHail Damage Roof Repair
Hail Damage Roof Repair
Hail damage of roof is quite common than what most people think. Taking some proactive steps will help protect your roof against damage and will help you save considerable amount on your roof repair, if you own a home. You will not only ensure that your roof lasts longer but also have less roof repair expenses as well, if you take definitive steps to lessen the effects of the frozen balls on your roof. Investing in hail resistive roofing materials would be advisable and prevent hail damage of roof.
Hail Damaged Roof – Professional Tips That Will Save You Time And Money
Damage to the roof caused by hail is quite common. If you own a house and you want to save a considerable amount on your roof repair by taking proactive steps to safeguard your roof from hail damage. You can not only prolong the life of your roof by taking steps to minimize the effects of freezing rain, but you will also save money on roof repairs. It’s a good idea to invest in hail-resistant roofing materials.
You can gauge the seriousness of the matter by the fact that hail storms have recently caused hail as large as a baseball. These storms have caused significant damage to roofs of homes in large cities and suburbs. Imagine how much damage hail can do to your roof, especially if it’s made from asphalt roofing shingles.
Repairing Your Hail-Damaged Roof by Hiring a Roofing Specialist
Having a great deal of storms rampaging through your neighborhood may have you wondering, does my roof have damage? It’s not always easy to answer this question. Start by looking around your house. The driveway is likely to be damaged by hail. Look at your mailbox, your air conditioning, window screens, vinyl siding, and your windows. If you see any damages to these items around your home and you probably will since these things are susceptible to hail damage especially if the hail is substantial in magnitude.
It is also possible to see some shingle granules on the bottom of your downspouts and even dents. The hail storm will usually weaken the protection of your roof, and consequently reduce your roof’s lifespan. This is due to the hail storm’s water damage.
How to Identify and Repair a Hail Damaged Roof
It isn’t always easy to recognize hail damage, especially if your home is three or two stories high. Damage from hail can cause damage to your home due to water and can reduce the lifespan of your roof. Because of this you should identify and deal with damages as quickly as you can. You may be denied coverage by the insurance company when you wait to claim for repairs. Have you experienced any recent hailstorms in your area? Are you worried that your house may be damaged due to hail storms? The steps below will help you determine the extent of damage and outline the steps to getting it fixed.
Step 1: Examine your exterior for obvious signs of damage. Check for signs of freshly damaged paint or scratches on the siding. If you are able to gain access to your roof in a safe manner and inspect it for shingles missing or that have blisters or dents. It is also important to check your gutters for damage and dings.
Step 2: Look within your home to see if there is any visible damage. Water stains or running through your walls are indicators that you must take action promptly. If you don’t address leaks in your roof quickly, you could be forced to replace your roof completely and also make major repairs do to the water that is leaking into your house.
Step 3: Contact your insurance company immediately and let them know about the damage. One of their adjusters is likely to visit your home and give you a cost estimate.
Step Four: Contact your local roofing contractor for an independent evaluation. Even if you are able to trust the insurance agent or adjuster, it is best to consult with a roofing company that you trust. They shouldn’t be biased since they aren’t employed by the insurance company. If there’s a discrepancy between the two opinions Most roofing contractors will be willing and able to communicate with insurance companies.
Step 5: Put everything in writing. The roofing contractor you decide to use should supply you with a contract detailing the work that will be completed and the cost. Your insurance company must offer you documentation regarding the specifics of the claim. Cover yourself by getting all the information you require to feel comfortable in writing.
Important Steps to Take for Hail Damage on Your Roof
Hail damage can cause roof damage during a storm. When such strong weather happens the roof can suffer a minimal to severe loss. You may experience holes, dents, pockmarked paint, chips or broken tiles and loss of granular material. There could be a variety of signs which indicate that damage was caused.
These are the signs of major hail damage:
- Dents and Pits These are major evidence of storm devastation. It may differ based on the shape of the structure. Flat roofs can sustain more hail damage than pitched roofs. Metal roofing will show more damages than asphalt or slate shingles.
- Paint Disturbance: Some housetop materials can be painted in different colors to improve their appearance. If hail falls on this surface it could cause flaking of the paint which could result in the formation of pockmarks. They are extremely unattractive and create a negative impression on the overall roofing appearance, even if the damage isn’t too severe.
- Granular Loss – Asphalt shingles are by far the most popular roofing material. This kind of material may occasionally suffer from the loss of granularity following an event like a hailstorm. If this happens nails will appear and could signal the beginning of a leaky roof. The shape of the roof is what creates the difference between severe damage from weather and normal losses. Normal wear and tear results in an even loss of granularity, whereas hail damage is circular and has a more specific.
- Damaged Tile and Wood – The hail size can range from a pea-sized to a softball or grapefruit size. Because of this, the force with which it strikes a surface could cause serious damage to the roofing materials. The frozen water that falls onto the roof can chip, crack, scratch, or split tile shingles and wood.
Hail Damage Roof Repair FAQs
Sun, wind, rain and hail have all had a chance to damage your roof and the time has come to think about re-roofing. How do you know if your roof is ready for re-roofing? Who will give you trustworthy advice? Where do you start? How many bids should you get? What part should you play during the construction process? What is fair to expect of a contractor? What are the permit and licensing laws in the State of Your State?
If these are questions you are asking yourself, you have come to the right place! The Roofing Contractors Association of Your State (RCAT) is an organization of professional roofing contractors dedicated to the practice, and teaching, of the skills needed to protect your building from the elements. We offer this guide as a sincere effort to help the customer and contractor arrive at a happy conclusion to a successful effort.
Are you ready for a re-roof?
After a hail storm has hit your area, it may or may not be obvious that you need a new roof. While some hail may produce leaks that appear immediately, quite often hail may only fracture your shingles, which leads to premature roof failure. An inspection by a professional roofing contractor can answer this question. If you have a roof that is fifteen years old or older and it starts to show signs of deterioration, or produces leaks, it is time to call your roofing professional for an inspection and consultation.
Choose a member of the Roofing Contractors Association of Your State
The State of Your State has no licensing requirement in place for roofing contractors at this time (2000 – 2001). RCAT is a twenty-five year old organization that was founded with the expressed purpose of bettering the roofing profession through education and the pursuit of a quality product.
By choosing a member of RCAT to be involved with your project, you are assured that you have a contractor who has had a successful track record in this field. To become a member, a contractor has to produce qualified references and be known to his competitors in the roofing community.
What is a Certified Roofing Contractor?
In the absence of licensing laws in Your State, RCAT has developed a comprehensive testing program. These tests are strictly monitored and require thorough knowledge of commercial roofing, residential roofing, and business and contract law. Certified contractors are leaders in their field who are bringing a proven professionalism to your roofing or re-roofing project.