Should I Claim Hail Damage on My Roof?
Roof hail damage is a common problem in Dallas, Texas, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly when it happens to you. It is crucial to have your roof inspected after any significant weather event and to file a claim immediately if roof hail damage is found. Yes, if you live in Texas or a state within Tornado Alley, you can be pretty confident that a hailstorm will affect your roof and that roof hail damage repair will be needed.
What are the signs of hail damage on a roof?
When a hail storm hits, no surface is safe. The roof and any property you have outside, such as lawn furniture, mailboxes, or fences, can be damaged. The amount and type of damage can vary in degree, especially with the roofing materials you have. For instance, roof hail damage will look different on basic asphalt shingles and metal roofing, but you will still likely need assistance if hail damages your roofing system.
Because homes in Dallas are primarily roofed with asphalt or composition shingles, we’ll discuss how roof hail damage will appear on that type of roofing material. Typical signs of hail damage on shingles can include:
- A random pattern of damage across the shingles.
- Denting and pockmarks.
- Granule loss.
- Exposed roofing felt.
- Exposed mat under the asphalt layer.
- Soft pockmarks with an appearance similar to a bruised apple.
What type of roofing material can withstand hailstones?
Shingles that minimize hail damage are made of a rubberized, synthetic roofing material. This material is engineered to have a hail-resistant property and to maintain the appearance and durability of more natural roofing material. Other hail-resistant roofing materials include Impact-Resistant Roofing Shingles and Class 4 Metal Roofing.
Asphalt shingles are most commonly used for residential roofs, and impact-resistant options are available today. These shingles are manufactured with reinforced fiberglass matting that is highly impact-resistant compared to standard asphalt shingles. With these impact-resistant shingles, there is no need to file roof hail damage claims, extending the roof’s lifespan.
Meanwhile, Class 4 metal roofing is a hail-resistant material with a high-impact rating that can withstand hailstones up to 2” in diameter. It can also withstand winds up to 110 miles per hour, minimizing wind and roof hail damage claims and giving you a roof with a longer lifespan.
Can hail damage cause roof leaks?
If the hailstones are large enough and hit hard enough at the right angle, they can cause leaks. While the roofing materials we listed above are impact-resistant, any roofing can develop a leak after a major hailstorm. These leaks may be small, and you may only notice them in the attic, but if they are undiscovered and unrepaired, any leak will spread, causing potentially severe damage to your home.
This is why it is essential to get a roof inspection by an experienced roofing contractor after any significant weather event. A professional will determine whether there is any roof hail damage and recommend whether repairs are necessary.
It’s also essential to have an insurance adjuster inspect your roof. If the adjuster determines there is roof hail damage, they can approve the claim for repairs or, if over 25% of the roof’s surface is damaged, approve a complete roof replacement.
How do you negotiate a roof hail damage claim?
If you suspect you have roof hail damage, as we recommended, have a professional roofing contractor inspect your roof. Take pictures and videos, make notes of your roof’s hail damage, and get a written estimate from your contractor for roof repairs or replacement.
After an insurance adjuster does their inspection for any roof hail damage, they will send you a report of their findings along with their settlement offer. If it doesn’t match what the roofing contractor stated, many companies will take the matter up with your insurance company. You can also share your pictures, videos, and notes of the damage so everyone involved has all the information possible to make the best decision.
What size hail does it take to damage a roof?
You can be sure that any golf ball or baseball-sized hailstones will cause roof hail damage. But it should be noted that even the smallest hailstones, such as pea-sized or marble-sized, can cause harm if they strike a roof at just the right angle and with incredible velocity. This is why it’s always a good idea to perform a full inspection of your roof anytime you have experienced a hailstorm, regardless of the size of the hail.
Can hailstones bust a skylight?
Skylights are typically made with acrylic materials that can lose the compounds that give them flexibility. They become brittle and, yes, susceptible to the same type of roof hail damage. The inner dome of the skylight is protected, but depending on the hailstone size, if the inner dome isn’t damaged itself, it can begin leaking.
In Conclusion
If you suspect any roof hail damage is possible, don’t hesitate to call a professional roofing contractor for an inspection. If you delay when you have a roof leak, your insurance company could deny your claim, classifying it as homeowner neglect. Contact our professionals if you have any questions about what you should do when you have roof hail damage in Dallas, TX. Call us at 214-295-5500.