Pieces of my roof are missing: How to spot hail storm damage

Roofing Contractor Hail Storm

What to look for on your roof

The most widely used material for roofing shingles is asphalt as it is cost effective and long lasting. The majority of these consist of a fiberglass mat that is coated in asphalt and then covered in copper coated granules that help to give it a nice color, prevent algae growth, and stop the harmful UV rays from penetrating. As the roof is typically the highest point on your home, it is usually the one place that takes the most damage when it comes to a hail storm.

During a hail storm, a number of things can happen to the roofing material after impact. The hail damage will cause the granules to come off of the shingle, making it look like it has been bruised. If you go up on the roof to inspect you will actually be able to feel the indentation a lot of the time. Many times you will notice missing shingles, that could have been blown off or cracked when hit with the hail and then just feel off. When the hail causes more severe damage, it can actually crack the shingle and the mat. In this later situation, it is recommended that you have someone immediately repair the damage on the roof as it can lead to serious issues. A cracked shingle from hail damage can cause an immediate leak, and if left unattended this can lead to mold growth, structural deterioration, and a whole bunch of other problems you really don’t want to worry about. If the hail storm has caused a tree or other debris to fall on your roof, again it is best to have a roofing contractor come out the property as soon as possible.

Recap of signs your roof has been damaged by a hail storm:

Pits or dents on the shingles or any surrounding materials
Missing shingles
cracks in roof shingles
Pieces of shingle laying in the yard
Leaking or dark spots on the ceiling

Hail Damage on the rest of your homes exterior

You may notice signs of hail damage in other places such as your exterior painting, siding, or stucco. With such high winds, these hail storms can blow in every direction so you should even check on the underside of your home to see if you can find any of the following signs. It is not only the hail that can cause the damage, but many times flying debris is instead the culprit. Look for evidence to support your claims for the insurance company is pretty straight forward here-

Common Signs:

Scratches or cracks
Divots or Dents
Holes or pieces missing
Discoloration

Last but not least, the windows

Needless to say, if you have a broken window after a hail storm you it is safe to say what the cause was. Glass has improved over the years but it is still a fairly brittle material that will crack or shatter when hit wrong. Assuming nothing shattered, inspect the rest of the windows for signs of smaller cracks or chips. Also, pay attention to the window casings as these are commonly damaged by the hail storm. Always be careful when cleaning up the debris as these can be a major hazard in themselves.

Window Damage: