What Happens When Hail Hits My Roof?
A customer once told me she loves watching hail bounce off the roof. She called them the dancing prancing hailstones. Most of our customers, do not get that level of joy from seeing hail pound their asphalt roofs. But what is that hail actually doing?
What does hail do when it hits your asphalt roof?
It literally shakes your roof. For asphalt shingles, the impact of the hail loosens the bond between the granules and the base layer of asphalt leaving asphalt exposed. The asphalt on the shingles is not designed for the cruel summer heat and sun found in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston. The sun’s ultraviolet rays attack the asphalt, and over time, it breaks down. Then ugly things start to happen. I’m talking cracking, blistering, susceptibility to algae, and water leaks. To make things worse, then comes the winter, and the damaged shingles want to shrivel up and either curl or crack leaving your roof open to possible leaks.
What determines how much damage occurs?
This is where a higher quality shingle really pays off. The thicker, sturdier shingles are going to hold up better. Other factors include how old the shingles are, the condition of them before the storm, the slope of your roof and if they were installed properly. Mother Nature also plays a role based on the size of the hail, its density, shape, velocity and the angle it hits. All the things you learned in fifth grade science class, right?
When do you file an insurance claim?
People will tell you different things. My 15 years running a local roofing company led me to this advice: Unless it’s a critical situation (like sections of your roofing are missing), call a professional roofing contractor first. We get a lot of hail in Texas and not all of it warrants a new roof. Or, in some cases, a roof repair may be less than your insurance deductible so why add a claim to your record? A reputable roofer is willing to come out and provide a free assessment and professional opinion on whether a claim is warranted. By meeting with a roofing contractor first, you will also gain valuable information to help you when speaking with the insurance inspector.
About Peak Roofing & Construction
Peak Roofing and 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 (Dallas & Fort Worth) or 281-290-7325 (Houston) today!
Jeff Riss
Jeff has 20 years of sales experience, a love of roofing, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. He leads Peak Roofing & Construction’s team but also is known for getting his hands (and knees) dirty on a job site. His passion for customer service, integrity, and quality craftsmanship drives his success. Peak Roofing & Construction is a family-owned, locally-operated business focused on doing things the right way. His deep understanding of roofing, gutters, windows, fences and exterior painting provide a strong foundation for running the business and serving his customers.