In 2021, it was reported that weather disasters in the U.S. caused $145 billion in damages. One common form of weather damage is hailstones and they can cost homeowners a lot of money in roof repairs, with this in mind, what are the signs of hail damage on a roof?
Hail damage can be an expensive problem to have and it can also cause safety issues within your home. The thing is that not everyone is aware of how to spot hail damage when it happens.
If hail damage gets left untreated then it can potentially lead to replacing a roof. However, by learning the signs of hail damage you can ensure that you can spot issues quickly.
So if you would like to learn the signs of hail damage, then read on.
Loss of Granules
One of the biggest signs of hail damage is when there is a loss of granules. The number of granules that get lost can vary depending on how bad the hail stone damage is, but it’s important to know how shingles are affected.
Shingles have asphalt coating to protect them from UV damage and fire resistance. In general, most asphalt damage or loss of granules can get put down to simple wear and tear, however, hail damage to shingles is different.
If there is a very large amount of granules missing then this is a sign that your roof may have hail damage. In this case, you should assess how bad the damage is and you may need to think about getting some roof repairs done.
The Roof Felt Is Exposed
Another indicator of hail damage is if the roof felt is exposed. This happens whenever the hail stones have repeatedly hit one area of the roof and caused a dent or crack that exposes the roof felt.
The size of the hailstones may also play a role in how much of the felt is exposed. For example, if the hailstones are 0.25 inches in size, this will cause much less damage than a 2-inch hailstone.
Hailstones can also cause the felt to get exposed, particularly if they hit a weak roof shingle. After heavy hailstone downpours, it’s important to check your roof in case any felt is exposed.
If the hailstones continue to hit this area where the felt is exposed this can cause more damage and potentially make it more expensive when fixing a roof.
Damage Marks With No Pattern
If there are dents and random damage marks on your shingles, then this may be a sign of hailstone damage. In general, wear and tear damage will leave more even marks that aren’t random.
However, you can spot hailstone damage because it usually does not have any kind of set pattern. There may be random shingles or areas of your roof that get damaged that aren’t close to each other.
These damage marks may also be bigger in some areas and smaller in others. If you spot any of these signs then it’s time to start looking at some hailstone roof repair solutions.
Cracks in the Shingles
Hailstones can also cause all types of cracks in shingles. Whenever hailstones fall they can fall at awkward angles, and sometimes this can cause more damage.
However, if a hailstone continuously hits the same shingle, particularly if it is a weak shingle then it can cause it to crack. It’s a good idea to check if you can see any shingles that have clear signs of cracking on your roof.
In some cases, you may find that when the shingles have cracked, there have been small chips that have fallen off the shingle. You may find these chips in your gutters or even on the ground below your roof.
If you spot any kind of cracking in your shingles, you’ll need to get these repaired or replaced. Otherwise, the cracking may cause the shingles to split and fall off, which is a safety hazard to anyone walking under them, as well as the structural integrity of your roof.
Exposed and Fractured Fiberglass Mat
Similar to hailstones exposing roof felt, the fiberglass mat can also get fractured and exposed. This happens whenever the hailstone is so big that it causes the granule-asphalt surface to shatter and break away from the fiberglass mat.
When this happens the fiberglass will get exposed and it may even get damaged. If you see this on your roof, then it is a huge sign that your roof has had some hailstone damage.
There are also varying degrees of exposed or fractured fiberglass mats. For example, if there is a small fracture then this may not create as much exposure as if there is a big fracture.
The size of the fracture is all down to how big the hailstones are, the integrity of the roof, and how long the hailstone downpour has lasted. Either way, a fractured fiberglass mat can be a serious issue, so if you spot this issue, it may be time to get your roof repaired.
How to Repair Hail Damage on a Roof
Hail damage on a roof can cause big roof problems, and if your roof has any signs of hail damage, then it may be time to get a professional. Unfortunately, if roof damage gets left untreated, it often gets worse.
That’s why at Freeman Exteriors, we help a wide range of homes in the Danville, and Champagne, IL area with their roof repairs.
So if you ever need a professional to look at your roof for you or if you need some expert advice, simply send us a message.
