Recognizing the Signs of Hail Damage on Asphalt Roofs

Waking up the morning light after you’ve heard hail pummeling your roof and windows is scary. You want to know the extent of the damage but at the same time, you’re dreading what you might see. If you live in Frisco, Allen or McKinney, this is starting to become a regular occurrence over the last few years.

One of the tricky things about recognizing the signs of hail damage is that it’s sometimes unnoticeable unless you are physically on the roof (or have a drone) AND even then you would have to know what to look for. As a result, many damaged roofs are never repaired or replaced. Eventually, problems can arise as a result of the neglect and by the time it’s discovered, it’s too late to file a claim.

There’s no doubt hail causes enormous amounts of damage each year. In fact, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), hail storms cause approximately $1 billion in damages each year to crops and property. If you suspect even the potential for damage, don’t wait to have your roof inspected.

Where hail damage shows up on roofs

Below are the areas our inspectors check when evaluating hail damage on roofs.

Metal fixtures and skylights

This includes all soft metal portions of the roof including flashings, chimney caps, vents, skylights, and metal valleys.

Shingles and ridges

By inspecting the actual shingles, and roof ridges, an experienced inspector can get an accurate picture of how much of the roof is damaged and how large the hailstones were.

What damage looks like

The easiest type of damage to spot is circular or half-moon shaped cracks in shingles or tiles. Normally they are found after larger size hail storms. This type of damage is concerning as it makes the roof highly susceptible to leaks because it compromises the structure of the shingles.

In obvious signs of hail damage, there will be shingles that are missing granules and exposed fiberglass or paper layer underneath. If the damage is recent, it will be dark black and not show evidence of being exposed to the sun for a long period of time. Inspectors typically limit their decisions to recent damage since most insurance companies have clauses that limit how long you can file a claim.

Dimples or indentations on shingles also indicate roof damage. They can be a little tricky because, like bruise, sometimes they can be felt by pushing on them but not seen. Unfortunately, even when they are not visible to the eye, they can still result in the shingle failing earlier than it should.

Roof damage. The best defense if a good offense.

To make sure the damage is identified and claims are filed in a timely manner, the best approach is to request an inspection from a qualified roofer as soon as possible after a hailstorm. If the roofer is well-known and has a great reputation for its honesty, you should feel confident deciding whether to file a claim.

Picking a roofing company

Just like hiring any professional trade, you want to pick someone you are comfortable with and has a lot of experience. The longer you perform your craft (or in our case, the more ladders you climb and roofs you walk), the better you are at it. Some of the Peak Roofing & Construction inspectors have been perfecting their inspection skills for over a decade.

The next box to check is the company’s knowledge of the claims process. Knowing what is typically included or excluded from claims means better advice to homeowners who are working with insurance companies. A professional roofer is going to help identify all the damage covered under a policy so you maximize the payout on your claim.

Lastly, I can’t say it enough but avoid storm chasers. With over 30 years of experience, Peak has helped dozens of people that fell victim to a person knocking on their door and then being long-gone when a problem or warranty issue arose.

About Peak Roofing & Construction

Peak Roofing & Construction is family-owned, with 30-years of experience. Bonded, insured and accredited, we provide roofing, gutter, fence, window and exterior facelift services. Guaranteed. Call (972) 335-7325 in Dallas-Fort Worth (residential & commercial) or 281-290-7325 in Houston (commercial roofing).