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 very common. If you also own a home and you want to save a considerable amount on the repair of your roof by taking proactive steps to shield your roof from hail damage. If you take the necessary measures to reduce the impact of the frozen ball of rain on your roof, you not just prolong the longevity of your roof but also lower costs for roof repairs also. It is a smart idea to invest in hail-resistant roofing materials.
To help you judge the seriousness of the matter, you should be aware that in recent past, hail storms have produced baseball-sized hail. The hailstorms have caused serious damage to the roofs of homes in major cities and suburbs. You can imagine how much damage hail can do to your roof, especially if it’s made from asphalt shingles.
Repairing Your Hail-Damaged Roof by Hiring a Roofing Specialist
There are a lot of storms rampaging through your area could leave you asking, does my roof suffer from storm damage? It’s not always so straightforward to find. Start by looking around your house. The driveway is likely to be damaged by hail. Look at your mailbox, air conditioner, window screens vinyl siding and your windows. These things are susceptible to hail damage, especially large hail.
Other indicators of hail damage are noticing shingle granules collecting on the bottom of your downspouts and denting. The damage done by hail storms will decrease the roof’s protection and thus reduce the lifespan of the roof. 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 spot hail damage, particularly if your house is constructed with two or three stories. Hail damage can expose your home to potential water damage as well as limiting the life span of your roof. Because of this you should be aware of and address any damage as soon as you are able. If you put off the repair for too long, you could be rejected by your insurance company when you finally decide to file a claim for the repairs. Are there any recent hail storms in your area? Are you worried that your home may have been damaged by hail storms? The following steps will help you determine the extent of damage, and will outline the steps needed to get it repaired.
Step 1: Examine your exterior for obvious signs of damage. It is important to look for evidence of damage such as freshly applied paint or scratches in the siding. If you can safely access your roof, look for shingles missing or with blisters or dents. Also, check for dings and dents in your gutters and downspouts.
Step 2: Look at your home’s interior to determine if there is any visible damage. Water stains appearing on your ceiling or running down the walls is a problem that needs to be immediately addressed! If you don’t fix the leak on your roof quickly, you may have to completely replace your roof and also make major repairs do to the water that is leaking into your home.
Step 3: Contact your insurance agent immediately and inform them of the damage. They’ll likely send one of their adjusters out to assess your property and prepare a cost estimate to repair the damage.
Step Four: Call your local roofing contractor to request an independent review. Always seek a second opinion from a trusted roofing contractor, even if your adjuster and insurance agent are trustworthy. Because they’re not employed by the insurance company, they will be less biased in their opinion. If there’s a discrepancy between the two assessments Most roofing contractors will be capable of communicating with insurance companies.
Step Five: Put all of the details in writing. You will receive a contract from the roofing company you choose to hire outlining the project and its cost. The insurance company you choose to work with should offer documentation that outlines the details of the claim. You are able to protect yourself by having all the information you require in written form.
Important Steps to Take for Hail Damage on Your Roof
A roof is extremely vulnerable to hail damage caused by a storm. When severe weather strikes it could cause minimal to severe loss. The impact can cause dents; holes; chips or split tiles, and loss of granularity. There are a variety of signs that strongly suggest that such damage occurred.
The following are indicators of hail damage that is severe:
- Dents and Pits – This is major evidence of storm devastation. The angles of the structure could affect the results. Flat roofs are more susceptible to hail damage than pitched ones. The look of damage can be more visible on metal roofing than asphalt shingles or slate.
- Paint Disturbance Certain housetop materials are coated with various colors to improve the appearance of. The flaking of paint could result from hail hitting this material. The result is marks called pockmarks. Even if there isn’t severe damages, these marks can cause the roof to appear ugly.
- Granular Loss – Asphalt shingles are by far the most commonly used roofing material. Following a hailstorm, this type of material will sometimes be affected by granular loss. This can lead to a leaky roof. Nail heads could occur in the event of this. The shape of the roof is what creates the difference between extreme weather damage and normal granular losses. Normal wear and tear has a uniform granular loss while hail impact is circular and is more localized.
- Damaged Wood and Tile The size of the hail could vary from pea-sized to a softball or grapefruit size. This is because the force with the force it hits a surface could cause serious damage to roofing materials. The frozen water that is deposited on the roof could chip, break or scratch tiles or 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.