Sometimes there’s nothing like curling up and relaxing inside your house during a good thunderstorm. But when you start hearing chunks of ice slamming against the roof, your peace and tranquility can quickly be disturbed!
After a hailstorm, it’s important to ensure that your home and vehicles are okay. But what does hail damage on a roof look like?
We’ll help you identify the signs of hail damage on roofs and let you know when you should call the experts for roof repair or replacement.
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How Can You Tell if a Roof Is Damaged by Hail?
Signs of hail damage may vary depending on the type of roof you have. A shingled roof may have missing granules or curled tiles after a storm, while a metal roof is more likely to have large dents. If you aren’t sure if your roof has sustained damage, it’s a good idea to get an inspection from a professional.
Other signs of roof damage sustained by hail may include:
Cracking or bruising
Missing shingles
Dark spots
Dented vents
Damaged flashing
Exposed roofing
And more
If you spot other damage around your property — like to your vehicles, siding, or deck — that’s generally an indication that your roof may also have been impacted, even if you can’t see it from the ground. Likewise, any interior issues such as leaks, water damage on the walls, or a sagging ceiling can also be clear signs that your roof may need attention.
What Does Hail Damage Look Like on a Shingle Roof?
Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material in the United States due to their price point and ability to stand up well against most weather elements. With regular inspections and maintenance, shingle roofs can last 20 years or more.
Asphalt shingles are rated by class (1-4). Class 4 shingles are known to have the highest impact resistance against hailstones and other forces due to having minerals or fiberglass matting added to the materials. If you aren’t sure what class your asphalt shingles fall into, a good roofing company may be able to advise you about this upon inspection.
Missing Granules
Shingle granules are the rough, sandpaper-like coating that helps protect the asphalt from weather elements such as wind, rain, and hail. If hail hits your roof with enough impact, some of the granules may become loose and fall off. This means your roof is at further risk for damage in the future.
You may be able to see obvious areas of granule loss on your shingles or evidence of lost granules in your gutters or downspouts, but it might take the trained eye of a professional to spot some damage.
While granule loss may not cause a hole in the shingles, it is an indication of decreased integrity. Without all of their layers, your shingles can’t protect your home properly and could lead to water seeping through, so hail-damaged shingles should be replaced.
Dents/Dimples on Shingles
Hail may cause dents and dimples that can compromise your roofing material. Asphalt shingles that have been damaged in this way may have spots that are soft to the touch and darker in color, much like the bruise on an apple.
If other parts of your home are dented, chances are your roof is as well. Look for issues like clogged gutters as well as dings in:
Siding
Gutters
Downspouts
Contact a roofing company for an inspection if you see any of these telltale signs.
Curled/Missing Shingles
Hailstorms are usually accompanied by high winds, which can damage asphalt shingles by cracking them, curling them at the edges, or pulling them off. This can leave bare spots on the roof, which means the shingles no longer offer a barrier of protection from the elements.
If this happens, you should get the damaged shingles replaced as soon as possible. If you don’t, there could be even more damage when the next storm comes along and your home could be subject to moisture invasion.
What Does Hail Damage Look Like on a Metal Roof?
While metal roofs are typically more expensive than shingle roofs, they are also a popular choice because they are more durable and could last 40-80 years or more if you take good care of them. They are typically constructed of durable materials such as copper, steel, or tin.
Though they do resist impact better than many other types of roofing, metal roofs are not immune to hail damage — especially if the pieces are large or the wind is especially strong. If this happens, expect to see indentations in the metal. These need to be repaired because if they aren’t, water or snow from future weather events will sit in the holes and cause even further damage.
How Big Does Hail Have To Be To Cause Roof Damage?
Although larger pieces of hail will generally cause the most damage, your roof may sustain damage even with smaller pieces. Here’s what to expect from various sizes of hail:
½ to ¾ inch: These smaller pieces of hail may not lead to much damage, but if they are accompanied by strong winds, they may cause granule loss.
1 inch: Hail of this size could cause shingle bruising.
1 ¼ inches: This may lead to dents in roofing materials and other minor damage.
1 ½ inches: This size is where we get into the potential of severe roof damage, especially if hail falls for a long time and/or there are strong winds.
1 ¾ inches: This could lead to extreme damage, including harming metal fixtures and vents or penetrating softer parts of the roof.
2 or more inches: Large hail will almost certainly cause significant damage to your roof and property.
Can a Hail-Damaged Roof Be Repaired?
Yes, damage from hail on roofs can be repaired. This generally involved replacing the parts of the roof that were compromised. Depending on the severity of the storm, this could be just a handful of shingles.
If your roof was greatly impacted by hail — or you’re also dealing with other roofing issues — you may want to consider having the whole thing replaced to keep the interior of your home safe from water damage.
New Generation Roofing Repair
Contact us for roof repair if you have hail damage. New Generation Roofing offers free estimates to help you make an informed decision about the next steps for your hail-damaged roof.
Whether you need emergency services or are planning ahead to prevent more problems from the next storm, we strive to complete all parts of the process in a timely manner to make your roof like new again.
New Generation Roofing Replacement
If the damage from the hailstorm was severe enough or your roof is old and unreliable, you probably want to consider roof replacement. We’ll be happy to send our inspection report to your insurance company to see if you can get this covered.
A new roof is a big investment, but its benefits include:
Improved insulation
Reduced utility costs
Enhanced aesthetic appeal
Increased home value
Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re protected when the next storm rolls around.
Let the Experts at New Generation Roofing Inspect Your Hail-Damaged Roof and Advise You on Next Steps
If you have hail damage on your roof, New Generation Roofing is here to help. We are a family-owned business that prioritizes attention to detail, uses premium materials, and employs skilled professionals to ensure durable, long-lasting roofing solutions.
We take pride in caring for our customers and will go the extra mile to ensure you’re happy with our Gresham roofing services, whether you’re getting roof repair or replacement. Contact us today for a free estimate on your hail damage.
