Signs Your Roof Has Hail Damage And How To Handle It

Blog

The largest piece of hail on record that fell in the U.S. measured 8 inches in diameter and weighed nearly 2 lbs., according to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association (RMIIA). Imagine what type of damage this could do to your home. It could do some hefty damage to your siding, gutters and your roof. Small hail can do quite a bit of damage to your home's exterior as well. See below for signs that your roof has hail damage, and how you should handle it.

Hail Damage Signs

1. Asphalt Granule Loss. Inspect your gutters for large amounts of asphalt granules, also look around your yard to see how much granule loss you have after a storm. This is common for asphalt shingles with hail damage.
2. Damaged Gutters. If your gutters are damaged from hail, most likely your roof or even your siding has some damage as well. Your gutters will have dents and dings in them from hail.
3. Shingle Damage. Shingles that have been damaged by hail can appear cracked or chipped, can have dark spots, or even have dimples on the surface. 
4. Vent And Flue Damage. Just as your gutters will also have damage from hail, so can your vents and flues on your rooftop. Look for dents and dings in these areas as well. 
5. Interior Leaks. Inspect your ceiling or attic for any water leaks, or cracks in your drywall. If there is hail damage that penetrated your roof, it could have caused a leak in your roof as well.

How To Handle Roof Damage

If your home shows any of these signs, it's best to contact your insurance carrier to file an insurance claim. See below for how to handle roof insurance claims.

1. Call Your Insurance Agent. As soon as you notice damage, contact your insurance agent to file a claim. Your agent will be able to look through your policy to be sure it covers hail damage.
2. Take Photos And Notes. Take photos of your damage prior to cleaning anything up. You want to be sure you have notes on what happened and proof of the damage for the insurance adjuster.
3. Give Info To Adjuster. Give the information you have to your insurance adjuster to help him file your claim. The adjuster will come to your home to look at the storm damage, but it could take a week, maybe more.
4. Select A Roofing Company. Look for a roofing company after your claim has been approved. Look for a roofer that can give you a breakdown on price for what they will be charging, as well as give you references of other homeowners they have done work for. There are times that your insurance carrier may choose a roofing company for you.

Your roof can have quite a bit of damage after a heavy storm. Be sure to inspect it yourself and file an insurance claim if necessary. You don't want to let the damage go and have a bigger problem later down the road, like a leaky roof.

29 January 2015