- Hilary Young
Hail Damage – What You Need to Know
It’s officially April, and storm and hail season is officially here. We have recently received multiple calls from homeowners with hail damage to their roof. Have you had a hailstorm at your home? Have you called us to get your roof inspected?
Here is what you need to know about hail damage:
According to the National Oceanic Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) , approximately $1 billion in property damages from hail occur each year.
Typically, 1.25” hail (about the size of a half dollar) is considered “damaging.” The rougher the edges, the more damage it can cause.
It is worth noting, older roofs (more than 10 years old) can be less damage resistant than newer roofs.
Tree cover can help shield your home from hail damage during a storm.
The size of the hail, duration of the storm, and wind strength all determine how much damage is incurred.
If you notice interior damage, get an inspection right away.
So, how do you spot hail damage?
If you see shingles on the ground, there is damage to your roof.
Broken tree limbs, stripped and damaged foliage, dents in your vehicle or on your gutters, downspouts, siding, windowsills, window and door screens, AC/heat pump, satellite dishes can indicate possible hail damage to your roof.
If you can see the roof from the ground or through binoculars, with asphalt shingles look for random damage that has no pattern, hail hits are black in color, this is from the loss of granules and exposure to the asphalt matting underneath.
Seeing other contractors working on your neighbor’s roof might mean you also have damage.
Filing a claim:
Make sure to have your roof inspection BEFORE filing a claim. Our inspectors can confirm if there is enough damage to warrant a claim and help advocate to get your claim approved.
After a hailstorm, take pictures of the size of the hail as soon after the storm as possible. Use a tape measure to show the hail size. This documentation can help in your insurance claim.
Take pictures of any damage you can see, including inside your attic (cracks in plywood, wet spots, sagging) and around your house. Use binoculars to see what you can on the roof. DO NOT CLIMB THE ROOF YOURSELF! Especially after a storm, this is extremely unsafe.
Insurance companies typically accept hail damage claims up to a year after the date of loss – but please check your coverage to be sure. The sooner you can address the issue, the less issues you will have down the road.
FYI, hail damage is considered an “act of God” – so you cannot be singled out with a raise in your premium because of a claim. But insurance companies can increase premiums over an entire area if hail claims increase.
Words from the wise:
“The best way to identify potential roof hail damage safely as a homeowner is from the ground. Start by looking for other damaged items. If your patio furniture, doors, windows, plants, outdoor lighting, play sets, or gutter downspouts are showing signs of hail damage, then it is a sign that there may be roof damage as well. If you suspect that you may have storm damage to your home, reach out to us for a free roof inspection.”
Chase, Georgia Roof Advisors, Restoration Advisor
“When looking for hail damage the best place to start is with all your gutters and even your mailbox! Check for any dents that may be in the metal. Next check to see if you have any tears in your screens. Any of the above are great starting indicators of hail damage. If you notice any of these give us a call and we can climb up and inspect the roof for further signs of damage to the shingles.”
RJ, Georgia Roof Advisors, Restoration Advisor
The bottom line is, if you suspect hail damage, call us for your free inspection. It is better to be safe than sorry in this situation. And we would love to meet you and help you through this! Happy Spring!
We’re not your average roofing company.
Sources: www.travelers.com , www.GAF.com , www.stormdamagecenter.org