Is your Roof Prepared for Hail Storms?
Is your roof ready for hail storms in Dallas Fort-Worth?
Hail season varies from year to year in Dallas Fort-Worth and throughout Texas, but it usually occurs between March and August.
Because of storms and temperature differences in the sky, hail is more common during the warmer seasons.
Hailstones will cause the most damage to your roof, which is the largest component of your home.
Hail will reduce the longevity of your roof and may possibly necessitate a complete roof replacement.
The impacts of hail roof damage vary depending on a number of elements, including hail size, wind speed, wind direction, the material of the roof, the age of the materials, and the slope.
Hail damage is bad for a roof because it causes leaks and other problems.
Damage can be functional or cosmetic, and the latter is sometimes more serious than it appears.
Broken edges, bruising, punctures, and granule loss can all lead to major problems.
Though it may appear superficial at first, hail damage on a roof might be difficult to spot if you don’t know where to look.
Tips on Spotting Hail Damage
Hail can cause damage to any section of a home, but the roof is the most vulnerable.
Roof hail damage isn’t often simple to see, and even little storms that release tiny balls of hail ice can cause major problems for homes.
Basic visual checks can be performed by the homeowner, but for a more thorough roof inspection, we recommend contacting the professionals at K&M Roofing Services and Construction, who know what to look for and how to fix any damage identified while examining your roof for hail damage.
- Direct hail strikes can produce cracks in roofing tiles that range in size from tiny to quite large. Look for dents and breaks in the shingle body itself when inspecting shingles.
- Metal chimney covers are a fantastic area to examine for hail indentations because the metal sheeting is extremely vulnerable to dents of all sizes. If you can’t see any dents but believe the chimney cover has been damaged, brush a piece of chalk across the surface of the cover sideways to reveal any dents.
- Damaged Siding: Look for splatter marks, dents, fractures, paint chips, or holes in your siding that could indicate hail damage to your roof.
- Heavy hail damage, whether in a single storm or over time, can pull shingles completely off or damage them to the point where they curl up like dried-out leather.
- Damaged Gutter Guards or Vents: After hail damage, gutter guards often reveal denting and scratch marks. Examine any vents that protrude from your roof for scraped paint and denting.
- Ice Pellets in Gutters and Downspouts: When shingle particles are discovered in gutters and downspouts, ice pellets are the most likely culprits.
- Satellite Dish Damage: Roof-mounted satellite dishes do more than provide your big-screen theater with 100+ television channels. They are great hail strike barometers. Examine the dish for dents, paint peeling, loose components, and broken or misplaced pieces.
- If you see shingles in your yard, or even a couple that have blown into a neighbor’s yard, your property was certainly damaged by the hailstorm.
- Hail Damage to Garage Doors, Lawn Furniture, and Lights: Inspect your back or front yard for glass or metal light fixtures, lawn furniture, and garage doors for hail damage.
- Chipped Paint, Damaged Mailboxes: It may seem counterintuitive, but walking to your mailbox might help you determine if your roof has been damaged by hail. Direct strikes from hail pellets leave obvious traces on metal and wood postal receptacles.
- Pool Issues: If your pool pump shows symptoms of damage after a hailstorm, or you see chunks of debris floating in the water, your roof was most likely also damaged.
- Ceiling stains, line-shaped discoloration on walls, puddles of water in basements or garages, water or mold accumulation in attics, damp insulation, and any peculiar stains around light fixtures and fire-sprinklers are all signs of hail damage indoors. These are all possible symptoms that hail has caused enough damage to your roof to compromise its ability to keep water out.
Is it Possible to Repair a Hail-Damaged Roof?
Repairing a hail-damaged roof can be as simple as replacing a single shingle or as complex as rebuilding the entire roof, depending on the amount of the damage.
Because of the wide range of repair choices, we recommend that everyone get their roof evaluated by an expert following a major hailstorm.
A skilled roofer can immediately assess the extent of the damage.
How Can You Protect Your Roof Against Hail Damage?
While no amount of planning can prevent all hailstorm damage, there are steps you can take to improve your odds of your home surviving relatively unharmed.
Have Roofing Experts Inspect your Roof for Hail Damage
Schedule a roof inspection with a professional roofing contractor like K&M Roofing Services and Construction before storm season. Small preventive repairs are easier and less expensive than dealing with extensive roof damage or roof leaks after a big hailstorm.
Roof inspections can be hazardous. We do not recommend climbing onto your roof unless you have the necessary safety equipment and roofing or construction experience. Climbing up on your roof and conducting repairs and preventative maintenance on your own carries a number of risks.
Use Roofing Materials that are Impact Resistant to Hail Damage
If you live in an area prone to hail storms and your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, consider replacing it with an impact-resistant shingle to reduce the danger of your roof failing during next storm season.
Alternatively, if you currently have serious roofing issues that need to be addressed, instead of mending it, consider replacing it with a new roof made of impact-resistant materials.
Impact-resistant shingles, such as modified asphalt shingles, protect your roof against hail and severe winds thanks to their rubber-like properties.
They are more expensive at first, but they pay for themselves in the long run by lowering maintenance expenses and possibly preventing the need to replace your roof early.
Impact-resistant tiles composed of resin, plastic, aluminum, or copper may provide even more protection, although they are often more expensive. K&M Roofing Services and Construction will do a free examination and recommend the best shingle for your specific needs.
Keep in mind that many insurance companies now offer discounts to homes who have weather-resistant roofs, which can help offset the slightly higher cost of the shingles.
Trim Tree Branches and Shrubbery to Avoid Hail Damage
Wayward tree limbs and shrubs can damage your roof and provide an easy method for squirrels and insects to crawl from adjacent trees onto your roof, which can bring its own set of issues, such as animals establishing a makeshift home on your roof or finding a hole to get into your home.
Remove any trees or bushes that are extending towards your home, as well as any dead limbs, before storm season arrives.
Be Ready for the Storm
Strong winds and hail storms can break windows and doors from their hinges, sending debris soaring into the air and inflicting significant roof damage.
Check your doors and windows before the storm to make sure they are absolutely secure.
It’s also a good idea to reinforce any weak places in your garage door using metal stiffeners.
Get Some Storm Shutters
Storm shutters can help protect your windows from damage by acting as a sturdy barrier between the elements and your windows.
There are various types of storm shutters to choose from, including aluminum shutters (the cheapest), roll down and accordion shutters, and more aesthetically pleasing shutters.
With so many alternatives, it’s a good idea to consult a local installer to assist you choose the right one for your home and budget.
If you don’t have time to install shutters before a strong storm, covering your windows with plywood can help prevent a lot of damage.
Shutters that are well-made and correctly fitted can considerably reduce the risk of damage from hail, flying debris, and severe winds.
Avail of A Homeowners Insurance as Soon as You Can
Homeowner’s insurance policies that cover hail damage and extreme weather events may be more reasonable than you think, and while having homeowner’s insurance will not prevent hail damage to your roof, it will make things simpler if it does.
The structure of your home, your goods, and even your personal culpability are often covered by insurance coverage.
You may want to consider having additional coverage for living expenses if you need temporary accommodation while your roof repairs are being performed, depending on where you live and the frequency/intensity of hailstorms.
Many insurance providers require you to file a claim within one year of discovering hail damage to your roof.
After you suspect hail damage to your roof, we recommend scheduling an inspection as soon as possible.
You’ll need plenty of time to go over damage assessments and any hail damage roof repair prices.
K&M Roofing Services and Construction is the leading roofing contractor in Dallas Fort-Worth, ensuring the highest level of quality and professionalism.
For a free examination, please visit kmservicepro.com.
