If you experience a thunderstorm or hailstorm that causes a leak, hole, or missing shingles to appear on your roof, it’s important to seek professional help before damages worsen. Rest assured, New Rüf is here to help. In this article, we will address everything you need to know about hail damage to your roof and what you should do about it.
What is Hail Damage?
Roof hail damage happens when hail from a severe thunderstorm hits your roof and breaks it. This can range from a cracked shingle to significant damage to the structural integrity of your roof.
During a thunderstorm, clouds typically produce rain, but if it’s cold enough outside, that rain can freeze before it falls to the ground creating hailstones. The size of these hailstones varies depending on how much humidity is in the air, ranging from the size of a pea to the size of a softball. Austin’s humid air makes for larger hailstones, increasing the risk of hail damage.
Hailstones land with force on your roof, causing costly damages. The severity of this damage depends on the size of the hail and the type of roofing material you have. Smaller hail may bounce off a metal roof but crack an asphalt shingle.
After a hailstorm, we strongly recommend a roof inspection to check for potential damage and catch issues early before they become serious.
Identifying Hail Damage on Your Roof
After a hailstorm, it’s crucial to check your roof for any damage. If you’re not equipped to climb on your roof, it’s best to put your safety first and call in a roofing expert for an inspection. If you’re not sure if your roof has sustained hail damage, here are a few signs you can look out for:
- Dents and Bruises: Large pieces of hail leave a dent or bruise on your roof. A bruise is a soft or weakened part of your roof caused by a sudden force such as hail.
- Granule Loss on Your Shingles: The granules on your asphalt shingles protect the shingle from damage from rain or other weather conditions. Hail can break off these granules and leave your shingles vulnerable to further damage.
- Cracked or Broken Shingles: With enough force, a piece of hail can crack or break the shingles on your roof.
Professional roofing contractors have the tools and skills to safely climb your roof and check for any significant damage from a hailstorm. A roof inspection will provide a thorough examination of your roof and attic to see if the hail caused any damage. Reach out to a professional roofing company like us at New Rüf for a free inspection and to get the job done safely.
Potential Consequences of Ignoring Hail Damage
Hail damage needs to be professionally addressed as soon as possible. Ignoring the damage to your roof can have serious short-term and long-term consequences that cost you more money in the long run.
Short-term risks of ignoring hail damage include leaks and water damage in your home. The shingles on your roof are what protect your home from the rain and snow. If these shingles break in any way, it can put your whole roof at risk. Water can easily seep into small cracks, leading to water damage to your attic or ceilings.
Long-term risks of not treating hail damage include problems with the structural integrity of your roof. Repeated water or wind damage from a broken shingle weakens your roof over time, causing the need for a roof replacement. Treating hail damage as quickly as possible saves you money on severe roof issues later on.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Hailstorm
Here’s what you need to do if a hailstorm passes through your area to keep your roof and home safe.
First and foremost, take immediate safety precautions. Your and your family’s safety comes first above all else, so make sure everybody is safe before you proceed.
Check for any downed power lines or tree branches to make sure the area is safe to walk around. If there is severe damage to your roof such as a cave-in, evacuate your home quickly and carefully.
If it’s safe to do so, you can do a brief visual inspection of your roof. Again, your safety comes first, so only do this if it’s secure for you to climb your roof. Document any damage that you see on your roof. Be as thorough as possible, as this will be helpful throughout the repair process.
Once you and your family are safe, get in touch with a professional roofing company. They will send a certified roofing expert to your home to climb your roof and take a look at the damage. You can expect our professionals to do a thorough inspection of your roof and then provide you with a documented estimate of the repairs.
With this estimate, you can begin to schedule your storm damage roof repairs. Try to schedule these repairs as soon as possible to protect your home from further damage.
Preventative Measures and Maintenance
Hailstorms may cause significant damage to your home and property. However, you can help protect your roof and save the trouble of dealing with hail damage through preventative maintenance. Here are some tips you can use to prevent hail damage and keep your roof protected from the elements:
- Keep Up With Maintenance: Roof upkeep catches minor issues early on and fixes them before they become catastrophic. These yearly appointments also keep your roof sturdy and more likely to stand up to a hailstorm. Routine roof maintenance saves you time and money over time.
- Invest in Hail-Resistant Roofing Materials: If you live in an area that is prone to hailstorms, invest in a roofing material that better stands up to hail. Certain roofing materials are better against hail than others. Popular hail-resistant roofing options include metal, rubber, and concrete or clay tiles.
- Install an Impact-Resistant Roofing System: If you want to stick with a shingle roof, consider investing in an impact-resistant shingle roofing system. These shingles are designed to take a hit and not break.
Get Hail Damage Roof Repairs from the Experts at New Rüf
Hail damage can lead to serious roof repairs if not treated quickly. Your roof protects you from the weather, and you want to make sure your roof is reliable and sturdy.
If you need help with hail damage to your roof, look no further than New Rüf. Our team of local roofing experts will clean up the wreckage and restore your roof in no time. Our customers come first in everything we do. Contact New Rüf today to schedule an estimate or speak with one of our roofing professionals.
