Hailstorms are very dangerous to roofs which affects their strength and life. The ratio of damage caused by hail depends upon many factors like size, speed, and the density of hailstorms. Knowing how hail affects can be helpful for homeowners in preventing damage as much as possible.
How Hail Affects Roofing
When hail strikes the roof, it creates cracks or even holes in the roofing material. When these holes or cracks fill with water, they can lead to the formation of mold or weaken the roof’s structure.
Factors That Determine Hail Damage
Size of the Hailstone
These hailstones come in different sizes ranging from pebbles to large solid golf balls. Hence the larger the hailstone is, the bigger the damage will be. Here are some of the sizes of the hailstone:
Pea-sized hail (¼ inches): It has the lowest rate of damage and is usually accompanied by strong winds.
Marble-sized hail (½ inch): It may cause minor damage to weak roofing materials.
Golf ball-sized hail (1.5 inches): It may lead to cracks or holes in the roof structure.
Baseball-sized hail (2.75 inches or more): This may break tiles, damage shingles, and even create holes in the roof.
Speed and Impact of Hailstones
The hailstones usually have different speeds depending upon the intensity of the storm. Mostly strong winds increase the speed of the hailstone making them more dangerous for the roof material. If the hailstone falls at high speed it may crack the tiles and even damage shingles.
Type of Roofing Material
Different types of roofing materials react differently to hail damage. Some of them are listed here.
Asphalt shingles: These are the most common but can cause dents, cracks, or granule loss due to hail.
Metal roofs: Although they are strong but may get dents if the hailstones are large.
Clay or concrete tiles: These also break or crack under the pressure of heavy hail.
Wood shingles: Wood may also get split or weakened over time after repeated hail impacts.
Roof Age and Condition
The older roofs mostly get more damaged due to hail as they have already passed many years to bear the harsh weather. A well-maintained or new roof that is made with new advanced material shows more resistance to hail as compared to the old low-quality roof material used in the past.
Signs of Hail Damage on Your Roof
After a hailstorm, you can detect the damage to the roof by using the following signs;
Dented or cracked shingles – Hailstones can create small pits or cracks on the surface.
Granule loss—Asphalt shingles may lose their protective granules after a strong hailstorm, exposing the underlying layer and causing water leakage.
Water leaks – If the roof is damaged may lead to water seeping through and cause leaks inside the house.
Soft spots on shingles—You can detect shingle damage by gently pressing on the shingles; if they feel soft or spongy, they may have hail damage.
How to Protect Your Roof from Hail Damage
Install Impact-Resistant Roofing
Some roofing materials are specially designed to withstand hail damage. Hail-resistant shingles and metal roofs offer better protection against hail damage.
Regular Roof Maintenance
Check out your roof regularly to detect the shingle softness due to hail. Replace damaged shingles and fix weak spots to make sure that the roof can handle hailstorms.
Trim Overhanging Branches
During a heavy hailstorm, tree branches often break off and fall on the roof, which can cause extra damage. Therefore, trim trees near your home to reduce the risk.
Install Protective Roof Coatings
Adding a protective coating to your roof can help to absorb some of the damage caused by hailstones. This reduces the chance of cracks and leaks in the roof.
Check and Maintain Gutters
Hailstorms usually come with heavy rain. If the gutters are clogged or blocked with dirt, water can accumulate on the roof. This can lead to leaks and further damage to the roof material. So, always make sure that the gutters are cleaned regularly for proper drainage.
What to Do After a Hailstorm
If a hailstorm hits your area, follow are some of the steps you can take:
Inspect your roof: Look for visible damage and check inside the house for leaks.
Take photos: If you notice damage, take pictures for insurance claims.
Call a roofing professional: Get an expert to assess the extent of damage and recommend repairs.
File an insurance claim: If your roof has significant damage, contact your insurance provider for assistance.
Final Thoughts
The hailstones cause serious damage to the roof surface. If the hailstones are large just like golf balls with high speed, it may lead to swear damage. So the best way to protect your home is to use high-quality roofing material applied by the experts in this field. Regular maintenance with taking precautionary measures also helps to avoid hailstone damage. If you detect any kind of roof surface damage, act quickly to avoid further damage in the future.
Straight Path Construction specializes in roof repair for every kind of damage. Our team delivers experts to find out the solution to protect your roof surface. Contact us today for an inspection and reliable roofing services.
Your feedback is important to us! Please share your opinion if
this blog was useful.
