The largest hailstone that has ever been recorded so far was larger than 23 centimeters, which is a little larger than 9 inches. If you live in an area that often experiences hail or even if you only get hail once in a while, you have to consider the potential damage that your roof may sustain. Roof hail damage can be hard to detect and, depending on the severity of the hail, the seriousness of the damage may vary.
So, should you repair or replace your hail-damaged roof? Which option is better than the other? Keep reading and learn more about whether you should consider roof repair or a roof replacement after a hail storm.
Should You Replace Your Hail-Damaged Roof?
Replacing an entire roof is, of course, a very large undertaking. This is not to mention that it can be very expensive. Depending on the size of the roof as well as your location, replacing an entire roof can easily cost you tens of thousands of dollars.
Of course, not everyone has the funds for that kind of project, but sometimes, it’s impossible to avoid. When it comes to insurance and hail damage, your insurance might be able to help you out to a certain extent if you need to replace your roof, but how can you know if you need to replace it at all? It mainly will depend on the severity of the damage.
The good news is that most of the time, it is not necessary to go about replacing a roof after hail. This is because most hailstones are relatively small and won’t be able to do enough damage to your roof to warrant an entire replacement. Even if the hail does cause a bit of damage to your roof, it likely will still not need to be entirely replaced.
However, the story will be different if your area happens to suffer from a hail storm that produces very large hailstones. While this does not happen very often, sometimes hailstones as large as golf balls or larger can fall out of the sky and cause serious damage. In general, golf-ball-sized hailstones and stones that are larger than that can cause significant damage to your roof.
The Details
If your roof has gone through such a hailstorm, it is important to inspect it and check out the severity of the damage. If you see obvious holes throughout your roof, then replacing the entire roof may be necessary. This is especially true if the damage goes down into the deeper layers of your roof and if the entire roof is affected.
On the other hand, if you just see a few small signs of damage that don’t penetrate into the deeper layers of the roof, you likely won’t need to replace your roof but instead hire someone to repair the damage. If you aren’t sure what kind of damage to look for, you can always hire a professional roof inspector to help you out.
That way, you can figure out how extensive the roof damage is and what needs to be done to fix it. If your roof is damaged, it is important to fix it right away. If you wait, moisture can get into the deeper layers of your roof and even into your ceiling where it can cause leaks and other problems like mold growth and decay.
Should You Repair Your Hail-Damaged Roof?
Most people tend to opt for roof repair rather than a complete replacement after a hail storm. This is because a simple repair is usually all that is necessary after most hail storms. The cost to repair a roof rather than replace it is quite a lot more affordable.
Instead of paying tens of thousands of dollars for a new roof, you might only need to pay a few hundred dollars or maybe a few thousand, depending on the damage and the size of your roof, among other factors. Repairing a damaged roof also won’t take nearly as long to accomplish. Repairing a roof may only take a day or two, depending on how much damage your roof sustained.
What You Need to Know
Replacing an entire roof, on the other hand, can take weeks and sometimes even months. You can tell whether or not you need to repair or replace your roof based on the extent of the damage and the size of the hail. If the hail was only the size of a marble or even smaller, it likely wasn’t able to do too much damage to your roof.
If anything, it may have displaced or slightly damaged some of your shingles, but small hail certainly won’t be able to put big holes in your roof or damage its inner layers. In the case of big hail, if there are dents or holes in your roof, it will be necessary to patch the areas quickly. Again, if you aren’t sure how severe the damage is or if you don’t know what to look for, it will be a good idea to call up a professional to take a look.
That way, you won’t be left guessing over the condition of your roof.
All About Roof Repair and Replacement
When you’re dealing with a hail-damaged roof, it can be hard to determine whether you need to replace it or repair it. However, a roofing professional can help you determine which option will be best for you and your roof.
To learn more about roofing services, get an estimate from us here.
