Hail Damage On Roof
Mighty Dog Roofing is an excellent roofing contractor located at Plano, Texas and we’ve helped thousands of homeowners over the past ten-plus year experience with hail damage repair on roofs. Unfortunately the majority of those were not able to get inspections done to assess the extent of the storm damage to their roofs in Plano Texas. In the event of this, major leaks could develop in walls and ceilings, which can quickly cause structural problems. These can lead to very expensive repairs.
Hail Damage to Roofs & Auto Hail Damage
There are hail-resistant roofs but to this day, you cannot find any hail-proof roofs in the market. These hail-resistant roofs have Class 1 through Class 4 hail-resistance ratings, 1 being the lowest and 4 the highest. These roofs are rated based on test results done by The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). A steel ball is dropped from a predetermined height and the damage that the roof sustains is then measured. There are several roofs that carry this rating but the most likely to endure hail with minimal or no damage would be concrete tile, composite shingles and metal roofs. When you purchase a roof be sure to check with the manufacturer to determine what hail rating is given to a particular product.
Hail damage on vehicles can easily be seen but the damage that hail does to your roof will not be as obvious. Hail damage results in a random pattern of strike marks in different sizes. You may find dents, cracks or bare asphalt (if you have asphalt shingles on your roof). Additional signs of hail damage to an asphalt roof could be: granules that have settled at the base of your downspouts, metal air vents that have significant damage and damaged and dented siding or gutters.
What You Need to Know About Hail Damage Roof Repairs
Hail damage to roofs is more common than most people realize. If you own a house making proactive efforts to protect your roof from hail damage will help you save costs on roof repairs. You’ll not only ensure that your roof lasts longer but also have less repairs to your roof, if you take definitive steps to lessen the effects of the frozen balls that have accumulated on your roof. It is a smart decision to invest in hail resistant roofing materials that can stop hail damage from damaging your roof.
Prevent Hail Damage Insurance Claims
April is the start of the hail damage insurance claim season for the Mid-West. These are the times when afternoon storms create incredible quantities of hail (ice balls) that vary in size from softballs to peas and drop to the ground at high speed. It’s difficult to grasp the damage caused by severe hail storms within the shortest amount of time (typically less that 30 minutes). Here are some tips to make the most of your experience with regard to hail-related insurance hail damage claims.
Damage to your roof caused by hail is not preventable. To further shield the roofing structure from damage caused by hail there aren’t any protective devices that can be used. The roofing industry has dealt with the issue with improved technology, materials and installation techniques. The roofing materials that are UL-certified are more resistant to hail damage than the other types. Insurance companies typically offer discounts of 5-15% for homeowners and dwelling fire policies with the submission a UL roof certification issued by the contractor who is responsible for roofing.
Roof Hail Damage – 4 Tips for Homeowners
The storm has passed and gone, but did your home suffer any roof hail damage? Hail storms are capable producing hailstones that measure up to six” in diameter. These balls of ice fall out of the sky without regard to the roof. The larger a hailstone is and the larger it is, the quicker it’ll fall, possibly creating more damage to your home. Roof damage can decrease the efficiency of your roof’s roofing. Even if it is not evident immediately it can cause major problems if it’s not addressed quickly. Here are a few tips which will help you properly identify roof hail damage.
Tip #1: Do you notice any obvious damage on the inside of your home? It is imperative to address any slow drips or water spots inside your house. A new stain of water on the ceiling most definitely a sign that your roof is damaged. If the problem is not taken care of, it may cause further damage, which could require removal of your whole roof, as well as repairs to the home’s interior.
Tip #2 Do you notice any visible scratches (blisters) on the roof’s shingles? Your roof may not have sustained any damage within your home, simply because there is no obvious damage. This could provide you with an illusion of security that there isn’t any visible damage to your home’s interior. By neglecting the exterior damage, you could run the risk of causing damage to your home in the months to follow. It is also possible to lose any benefits you have in the present if you do not submit your insurance claim by the deadlines set forth in your homeowner’s policy.
Tips 3: Get an independent professional opinion. It’s not difficult to say that hailstorms have struck your city. The National Weather Service records all information related to storms. If there is knowledge of an upcoming storm and you call your insurance company, they will likely dispatch an adjuster. The adjuster will be your insurance company. The adjuster’s job is to spot damages, evaluate the cost to repair or replace your roof and ensure that all the paperwork is required to submit an insurance claim.
Tip #4 Get It In Writing. The majority of insurance companies do not issue checks directly to the roofing contractor. This protects the insurer from homeowners “pocketing” the funds and never repair the damaged. This ensures that your roof will be repaired according to the requirements. If your roofer agrees that the insurance check is sufficient to repair your roof hail damage, they should agree to do the repairs for that cost, nothing more.
How Do I Know If I Have Hail Damage?
Their vehicles in a rumble follow hail storms, anticipating an immediate increase in quick cash. They disappear quickly after the initial surge of activity… and move onto the next area. They are left with an array of customers with no one to call when warranty issues arise. The responsibility, and the financial cost, are then entirely the homeowners. I have see this happen repeatedly to families living in the area we cover.
Hail Damage On Roof FAQS
If There is Only a Small Amount of Damage, Should I Still Repair My Roof?
Even if you only have a small amount of damage, you must have it repaired to protect the true structural integrity of your roofing system. Neglecting to repair small damages can lead to costlier ones down the line, like water damage.
Will My Insurance Carrier Drop Me if I File a Roof Repair Claim?
Since storm damage is something that is mostly out of your control, it is very unlikely that your homeowners’ insurance carrier will drop your policy. In fact, it is illegal for them to do so in most states. It is possible that there are exceptions to this rule, but in most cases, your policy will not be canceled for filing a storm damage repair claim.
Will My Insurance Carrier Increase My Rates if I File a Roof Repair Claim?
It is common for insurance carriers to raise everyone’s rates across the board after a severe storm or natural disaster. One way to look at this is that you should file a claim for repair since you are already going to help pay for everyone else’s. It is possible that there are exceptions to this rule as well.
Why is My New Roof Not Covered By the Manufacturer’s Warranty?
It is very common for roof product manufacturers to exclude hail repairs in their warranties. In fact, several warranties specifically name hail as a non-covered repair. Keep in mind that newer roofs are more prone to hail damage since they have not yet had ample time to cure and gain resistance against the natural elements. To avoid this problem, talk to a trusted contractor about the affordable hail damage protection options available to you.
Do I Have Storm Damage if All My Shingles are Still Intact?
Missing shingles are not the only indication of storm damage. A storm can cause all sorts of problems for a roof, many of which are undetectable at first glance. For this reason, it is important to understand that your roof may still have been damaged in a severe storm even if it looks like it is in the same condition as before.
Can I Repair Hail Damage From Years Ago?
The answer to this question is “yes.” You can have your roofing repaired anytime, regardless of age or condition. However, the cost and time it takes to do so will likely be higher, and there is a possibility that you will need to replace your entire roof. The issue here is filing a claim with your homeowners’ insurance company. They may not cover the repairs if too much time has passes. This varies from case to case, of course.