Hail Damage On Roof
Mighty Dog Roofing is an excellent roofing contractor located at Plano, Texas and we’ve helped thousands of homeowners over the past ten-plus year experience with hail damage repair on roofs. Unfortunately many of them waited too long before having inspections performed to evaluate the extent of their roofing damage from storms located in Plano Texas. If this occurs, massive water leaks may develop through ceilings and walls that can quickly cause structural problems. The costs for these repairs can be extremely costly to repair.
Hail Damage to Roofs & Auto Hail Damage
There are hail-resistant roofs but to this day, you cannot find any hail-proof roofs in the market. These hail-resistant roofs have Class 1 through Class 4 hail-resistance ratings, 1 being the lowest and 4 the highest. These roofs are rated based on test results done by The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). A steel ball is dropped from a predetermined height and the damage that the roof sustains is then measured. There are several roofs that carry this rating but the most likely to endure hail with minimal or no damage would be concrete tile, composite shingles and metal roofs. When you purchase a roof be sure to check with the manufacturer to determine what hail rating is given to a particular product.
Hail damage on vehicles can easily be seen but the damage that hail does to your roof will not be as obvious. Hail damage results in a random pattern of strike marks in different sizes. You may find dents, cracks or bare asphalt (if you have asphalt shingles on your roof). Additional signs of hail damage to an asphalt roof could be: granules that have settled at the base of your downspouts, metal air vents that have significant damage and damaged and dented siding or gutters.
What You Need to Know About Hail Damage Roof Repairs
Roof hail damage is quite common than what most people think. If you have a home, taking proactive steps to safeguard your roof from damage caused by hail will save you significant costs for roof repairs. If you take the appropriate steps to minimize the effects of frozen snow on your roof your roof will last longer and be less expensive to fix. The investment in hail resistant roofing materials is a good idea and will protect your roof from hail damage.
Prevent Hail Damage Insurance Claims
April usually marks the beginning of the hail damage insurance claim season throughout the Mid-West. It is also the time of year when afternoon thunderstorms produce astonishing amounts of ice (hail) that range in size from peas to softballs , falling to earth at an incredible speed. It’s difficult to grasp the destruction caused by massive hail storms within the shortest amount of time (typically less than 30 minutes). These are some helpful suggestions regarding hail-related insurance claims.
There is nothing that can be done to stop hail damage from a roof. To further safeguard the roofing structure from damage caused by hail there are no protective devices that can be used. These issues have been addressed by the roofing industry with improved technology, materials and techniques for installation. Roofs that have been certified by UL are more resistant to hail damage than the other types. With the UL roofing certification from an insurance company, contractors frequently offer homeowners and home fire policies discounts between 5 and 15 percent.
Roof Hail Damage – 4 Tips for Homeowners
Did your roof sustain hail damage due to the storm? Hail storms are capable of producing hailstones up to six” in diameter. These ice balls drop from the sky without concern for the roof. Your home could be more damaged if a hailstone falls quicker than it is. Roof shingles damaged can affect the lifespan of your roof, and in the event that it’s not visible immediately it could cause large issues if not addressed in a timely manner. Here are some guidelines to help you identify hail damage on your roof.
Tip #1: Is there any obvious damage to the interior of your house? It is imperative to address any slow drips or water spots inside your house. A new water stain on the ceiling likely to indicate that your roof has been damaged. If the issue isn’t addressed, it can cause further destruction, which may require removal of your entire roof as well as repairs to your home’s interior.
Tip #2 Do you notice any visible scratches (blisters) on your roof’s shingles? Even if you don’t notice any signs of damage on the inside of your home doesn’t suggest that your roof hasn’t been damaged. It could give you an illusion of security that there’s not any apparent damage to your house’s interior. You run the risk that your house will be damaged if neglecting the exterior damage. It is also possible to be denied any benefits you are entitled to in the present if you do not make your insurance claim before the deadlines stipulated in your homeowner’s policy.
Tips 3: Get an opinion from a professional who is independent. There’s no doubt that an incoming hailstorm has blown across the city. The data on storms is recorded by the National Weather Service. If you know regarding a storm, and you contact your insurance provider, they’ll likely dispatch an adjuster. The adjuster is the insurance company. The adjuster’s job is to spot damage, assess the cost of repairing or replace your roof, and make sure that all documents are necessary to process an insurance claim.
Tip #4 Get It In Writing. The majority of insurance companies only issue a check directly to the roofer. This protects the insurance company from the homeowner “pocketing” the money and never fixing the damage. If you can get your roofing contractor to accept the kind of repair to be made and the costs involved, this will insure that your roof receives the repairs it needs. If your roofer agrees that the insurance check will be sufficient to repair your roof hail damage, then they should agree to repair the damage at that price, nothing more.
How Do I Know If I Have Hail Damage?
The swarm of vehicles track hail storms, expecting an immediate increase in quick cash. They quickly disappear after the initial surge of activity… and move onto the next area. They leave behind a multitude of customers who are not able to seek recourse if problems with their warranty occur. The responsibility, and the costs of repairs, are up to the homeowners themselves. I’ve seen this happen repeatedly to families in our area of coverage.
Hail Damage On Roof FAQS
If There is Only a Small Amount of Damage, Should I Still Repair My Roof?
Even if you only have a small amount of damage, you must have it repaired to protect the true structural integrity of your roofing system. Neglecting to repair small damages can lead to costlier ones down the line, like water damage.
Will My Insurance Carrier Drop Me if I File a Roof Repair Claim?
Since storm damage is something that is mostly out of your control, it is very unlikely that your homeowners’ insurance carrier will drop your policy. In fact, it is illegal for them to do so in most states. It is possible that there are exceptions to this rule, but in most cases, your policy will not be canceled for filing a storm damage repair claim.
Will My Insurance Carrier Increase My Rates if I File a Roof Repair Claim?
It is common for insurance carriers to raise everyone’s rates across the board after a severe storm or natural disaster. One way to look at this is that you should file a claim for repair since you are already going to help pay for everyone else’s. It is possible that there are exceptions to this rule as well.
Why is My New Roof Not Covered By the Manufacturer’s Warranty?
It is very common for roof product manufacturers to exclude hail repairs in their warranties. In fact, several warranties specifically name hail as a non-covered repair. Keep in mind that newer roofs are more prone to hail damage since they have not yet had ample time to cure and gain resistance against the natural elements. To avoid this problem, talk to a trusted contractor about the affordable hail damage protection options available to you.
Do I Have Storm Damage if All My Shingles are Still Intact?
Missing shingles are not the only indication of storm damage. A storm can cause all sorts of problems for a roof, many of which are undetectable at first glance. For this reason, it is important to understand that your roof may still have been damaged in a severe storm even if it looks like it is in the same condition as before.
Can I Repair Hail Damage From Years Ago?
The answer to this question is “yes.” You can have your roofing repaired anytime, regardless of age or condition. However, the cost and time it takes to do so will likely be higher, and there is a possibility that you will need to replace your entire roof. The issue here is filing a claim with your homeowners’ insurance company. They may not cover the repairs if too much time has passes. This varies from case to case, of course.