Hail most commonly appears during the late spring and early summer when surface temperatures are warm while the atmosphere is cool enough to create ice. This mixture of hot and cold results in a temperature instability that creates intense storms. Summer storms with hail are especially common in mid-latitude states like Virginia and a lot of the southern states known as “tornado alley”. Though we thankfully don’t get as many tornadoes as other parts of the nation, Northern Virginia does get its fair share of hail.
Though impacts on your car can be easily noticeable, it’s difficult to detect hail damage on your roof. Most of the time, hail can come in the size of marbles or pebbles, but they can be as large as eggs, golf balls, and in extreme cases, the size of baseballs (p.s. this actually happened here in Northern Virginia in 2016). How do you identify hail damage and when it’s time to call in a pro for help?
How to Spot Hail Damage on Your Roof
Did you know that the majority of roofs that are damaged by hail don’t get replaced? This is because it’s hard to see the damage on the surface. But the good news is that if you get a pro identify the damage early and file a claim to your homeowners insurance company, you could get the costs of replacing your roof covered. (Note: we will talk about the topic of insurance in detail next week!)
What to Look For in Hail Damage
Hail damage looks differently depending on the type of roofing material you have.
- Clay: Hail can crack these in half or create small fissures and dents. Thankfully, the signs will be more obvious on this material because of its pottery-like texture and makeup.
- Metal: There can be small bubble-like dents throughout the roof, which are more noticeable on vertical or smooth style roofs as opposed to shingles.
The tricky thing is when the hail was smaller and the damage isn’t so obvious. These roofs still look functional but are not as structurally sound and are prone to leaks that can damage your home’s interior. Water damage is expensive to fix, while correcting damage from hail can cost you very little when you get insurance to help you. In these instances, you should get an expert to inspect your roof and detect any hail damage.
Hail even as small as a quarter can cause damage to asphalt roofs, but a trained roofing inspector can find the subtle signs of damage and help you get them corrected before they make a bigger impact on your finances.
Other Areas to Check for Damage
Soft metal areas like skylights, flashing, metal valleys, gutters, and vents are common places for roofing systems to experience damage. Regardless of your roof’s material, ridges are also vulnerable places because this is where parts of your roof meet. They take the brunt of the impacts and should be inspected to rule out damage.
Hail Damage in Northern Virginia
An experienced roofing contractor from Noble Roofing can take a look at your roof and detect any damage from hail and enable you to make a timely claim to your insurance company. By detecting roofing damage early, you can save yourself a lot of money that can stem from water damage and structural issues.
After inspecting your roof, we will give you an honest estimate about repairs and give you our best advice on how to make a claim. Trust the repair and restoration of your roof to the certified and experienced professionals at Noble Roofing. Call (703) 404-0505 for a fast and professional response to hail damage.