Are you wondering if a recent hail event damaged your roof?
Are you noticing a lot of roof work going on in your neighborhood?
You may be wondering “How do I know if I have hail damage on my roof?”
If you suspect that there might be hail damage on your roof, it’s natural to want to check it out for yourself before thinking about a new roof or filing an insurance claim.
It may surprise you to know that warm climates like Myrtle Beach experience hail storms. However, this form of precipitation is quite common in South Carolina. In fact, we speak to customers on a regular basis who have roof damage from hail.
While we strongly advise against climbing onto your roof, it’s worth noting that unlike other types of roof damage, identifying hail damage does not always require you to get on your roof. One indication may be that you notice your neighbors having roof work done on their homes, but this is not the only one. When it comes to hail damage, there are a few easy ways to know whether or not your roof has been impacted by hail.
The main ways to identify hail damage include:
- If You Notice Collateral Damage, You May Have Been Impacted By Hail
- If a Recent Storm Report Indicates That There Was a Recent Hail Storm
- Physical Roof Damage Is a Sign You May Have Been Impacted By a Hail Storm
It is wise to know these things so you can take action and regain the integrity of your roofing system.
If You Notice Collateral Damage, You May Have Been Impacted By Hail
Collateral damage refers to unintended and indirect harm or destruction that occurs as a result of external events (like hail), often beyond one’s control. In the context of hail-related matters, collateral damage may include dings on gutter downspouts or mailbox, ripped window screens, and spatter.
The term “spatter” is used by the insurance company and refers to the oxidation dislodged from items, like a power meter. This is usually a cosmetic sign that suggests a hail event has taken place over your home.
While spatter is an indicator that hail occurred in your area, your insurance company will also want to check out weather data that supports that the spatter came from a recent storm event.
A Storm Report Will Indicate That There Was a Recent Hail Storm
There are dozens of storm reporting systems that can identify if a hail event has occurred. These reports are used by insurance companies to identify if an event has taken place.
Most storm reports are radar generated and show a history of storm events in your area. It is important to use multiple storm reports because some platforms will pick up a storm on their radar, and others may not.
Our word of caution against this is that it is a costly endeavor to pursue on your own. Each inquiry can be between $50-$100. Not only that, but your insurance carrier may use a different storm reporting platform, which could invalidate your efforts.
While we can’t speak for all roofing companies, we at Linta Roofing will pull these reports for you free of charge. Not only that, but it is standard practice for us to pull multiple storm reports and take the reporting platform your insurance carrier uses into consideration.
Physical Roof Damage Is a Sign You May Have Been Impacted By a Hail Storm
When hail impacts a shingle it will press the rock granules into the asphalt at the center of the impact. Surrounding the center of the impact will be granular that is broken loose. These loose granules often fall off of the roof exposing the black asphalt.
Some of these granules might loosen and end up on your driveway, sidewalks, or where downspouts drain. If you spot loose granules in these areas, it could indicate hail damage to your roof.
Insurance companies usually check for 8 impacts per square (a 10ft x 10ft area on your roof). Typically, they consider a roof to be eligible for a total replacement if there are 8 impacts in a random test square on 3 of 4 directional slopes (front, back, left, and right)
Tackling these issues on your own is no easy feat, in fact, we highly recommend you do not tackle this alone. Contacting a trustworthy roofing company to help you properly identify these issues is essential as your 1st step in your roof repair timeline.
Why You Should Call a Roofing Company Before Insurance When You Believe You Have Hail Damage
Hail damage is concerning because it can shorten the lifespan of your roof. Whether you notice marks on your roof or have leaks, it is important to act quickly, as hail is usually insurable damage.
However, before you file an insurance claim, it is important to check out the 7 things you should know before you file an insurance claim and have a professional roofer come out and inspect your damage first.
A roofing company can help you find hail damage on your roof. At Linta Roofing, we help guide you through the insurance process if there is hail damage to your roof.
Whether you have wind, hurricane, tornado, or hail damage, we are here to help you regain your peace of mind.
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