Hail damage on shingles and other roofing materials is any property owner’s worst nightmare. Imagine throwing a huge concrete stone over your pristine shingle roof. You’re definitely right if you guessed it will crack and bruise many of your shingles.
Unfortunately, more than one concrete-heavy, softball-sized hailstone will land on top of your roof during a hailstorm. In fact, most contractors estimate it to be dozens. Each one of these will bruise and damage your shingle roof in a major way.
Therefore, it pays to assess hail damage on shingles on your roof accurately. In doing so, you can provide minor repairs and call for permanent professional services quickly.
Measuring The Strength of a Hailstorm
The local weather forecast tells the wind speed and areas the hailstorm will affect. However, meteorologists cannot measure the strength of any hailstorm.
True enough, there’s no instrument capable of measuring the speed and velocity of hailstones as they land on your roof. However, your roof will measure them for you.
If you can measure the hailstorm strength, you can trigger your roof insurance. In case your roof does not have any cover, you can help speed up the professional repair procedure.
Hailstone Size and Density
Never come out and inspect your roof while the hailstorm is ongoing because hailstones are fatal. They have different sizes from peas to softballs. On average, their travel velocity is enough to cause concussions. This gives you a clue on the severity of hail damage on shingles.
Make an investigation once you confirm the storm has cleared. First, take with you a measuring tool such as a ruler or measuring tape. You’ll use it to note down the different hailstone sizes and shapes. In fact, you’ll use them to measure the bruises and holes they created on your roof.
The hailstone, bruise, and hole sizes will help contractors determine the velocity each hailstone traveled to cause damage. So, keep them noted for future use.
Wind Speed
If you didn’t check your local weather news before the storm, you can find hail information online. Most state and city-oriented news websites will publish the hailstorm forecast.
Roof contractors require wind speed data because it allows them to anticipate hidden damages. A strong-enough wind speed sending a huge softball-sized hailstone to a roof penetrates both the shingle and underlayment. Acting on this information, they will conduct tests to prove their hypothesis of severe hail damage on shingles and underlayment.
In return for noting the wind speed, you’ll get a precise repair service from your contractors in the future.
Structures Around Your Home
If your property has no nearby tall structures, you can assume severe hail damage on shingles. Tall structures blunt the initial velocity of traveling hailstones. By derailing it, their impact against your roof is minimal compared to a head-on collision.
Tall structures include buildings, branch-filled trees, electric posts, water towers, and other structures with similar height.
True enough, wind direction plays a huge factor in hailstone velocity. Considering this, you can assume massive roof damages from directions without tall structures.
Minor Repairs You Can Do
In some cases it’ll be difficult to call professional roofing services at once. If you have the right tools and materials, you can perform minor repairs for hail damage on shingles.
However, some property owners think these repairs are enough to tide them over the next storm, which they shouldn’t. Damaged roofs have reduced durability and longevity. Only professional roofing services will provide the permanent repairs your roof needs for optimum protection.
Replace The Damaged Shingle
You can replace individual damaged shingles with the right tools. Here are a few steps to do so:
- Get a putty knife. Insert it under the damaged shingle. Then, carefully break its sealant.
- Take a flat bar. Next, slowly pry up the damaged shingle to remove the nails.
- Be careful not to damage the undamaged shingle above it.
- Using a utility knife, remove the damaged shingle piece.
- Then, take a new shingle tab from your bundle and nail it in place with eight-inch nails.
- Lastly, seal the tab with roof cement to ensure no leaks
It is tempting to replace huge sections of your shingle roof. However, hail damage on shingles will require professional attention to restore the vitality of your roof effectively.
Cover Damaged Area With Tarpaulin
Tarpaulin is a strong, stretchable plastic material. If you nail it effectively on hail damage on shingles, it will prevent leaks from entering the holes and underlayment.
To install tarpaulin effectively, perform the following steps:
- Measure the affected shingle area
- Cut the tarpaulin in the same size as the affected shingles
- Stretch the tarpaulin and lock it in place using hails and roof adhesive.
Use Roofing Caulk to Seal Everything
Roof caulk is the simplest sealant to bruises and holes on shingles. However, make sure it has enough time to harden and create its seal. Most hardware stores have quick-drying roof cement and caulk, which can work according to your needs.
Hail Damage on Shingles: Using Insurance to Get Comprehensive Roof Services
Contacting your trusted roofing contractor quickly prevents further worsening of hail damage on shingles. Unfortunately, certain financial constraints will stop you from talking to your contractor as soon as possible.
However, if you have insurance, it is possible to overcome this fiscal commitment without any bumps. Get comprehensive roof services by maximizing your roof insurance coverage. Here are the steps to help you begin.
- Contact a Trusted Roofing Contractor: Roofing contractors measure and assess the complete hail damage on shingles and other roofing materials. A trusted contractor will take note of each one with complete detail
- Allow Them to Represent You: The contractor will talk to your adjuster on your behalf. With their knowledge, you can rest assured they will maximize your insurance policy.
- Comparing Results: Some adjusters will their respective contractor. In doing so, they will compare results with your trusted contractor for effective insurance maximization.
- Never Meet an Adjuster Alone: Adjuster-brought contractors may skimp on certain damages reducing the benefits you receive from your insurance.
Conclusion
Hail damage on shingles and other roofing materials is anyone’s worst nightmare. Fortunately, with knowledge of possible damages, you can provide minor repairs to prevent the situation from worsening. This is ideal when you cannot call a contractor quickly.
However, minor repairs can only do so much. If you have insurance, you can use contractors without any worry about repair budgets. In fact, they are your most helpful assets when claiming for your insurance benefits.
