How to tell if your roof was damaged in a hailstorm

LUCKILY, HERE IN GA WE DON’T GET REALLY BAD HAIL STORMS.  THE HAIL HERE IS TYPICALLY SMALLER THAN WHAT WE WOULD SEE IN THE STATES TO OUR WEST.  BUT WE CAN GET HAIL THAT DOES SERIOUS DAMAGE TO OUR PROPERTY.

Hail storms can damage your personal property, such as your vehicle or the roof of your house.  The amount and scope of the damage varies.  Below is a listing of factors that can affect the damage done by a hail storm:

1. The size of hail.  Hailstones can get really huge like a grapefruit, or tiny like a pea.  They usually don’t have smooth edges.
2. Wind conditions.  The direction and speed of the wind can affect the severity of damage.
3. Natural or man-made protection such as trees, neighboring homes, or fencing might affect the amount of damage to your property.
4. Building materials will withstand hailstones differently. Hail can ding aluminum siding and asphalt roofing shingles.  It can crack vinyl siding.  Really large hail can actually puncture through a roof.  And if the roof is older or in bad condition it could sustain a higher degree of damage.

So what does hail damage look like on an asphalt shingle roof?

1. 1. 1. Loss of granules is a big indicator.  The roofing felt may also be exposed.
2. Hail impact hits that are soft to the touch, like bruising on a piece of fruit.
3. Damage that doesn’t have a particular pattern.
4. Hail hits can be noticeably black in color.
5. The asphalt may look shiny.

It will take a professional roofer to decide if the roof is damaged by hail.  Shingles can appear brittle and look aged just from bad weather and sunshine.  Manufacturing defects in the shingles can be mistaken for hail damage, as well as normal wear and tear like shingles cracking or blistering.

If you think your roof has been affected by a hailstorm, contact your insurance agent.  If you determine you need a professional roofer, call Bryant Roofing and Repairs at 770-267-8600 to inspect and verify any damage done.  We have over 35 years experience of replacing roofs damaged by hail storms all over Walton and Gwinnett counties.