The hailstorm itself can be brief, but the effects of the storm may linger in the form of damage to the home for months or even years if it is not caught early in time. Large hail stones can affect virtually any part of the roof from shingles to flashing to gutters to vents. Some effects are obvious while others may only surface once water starts entering the home.
If you have experienced a hailstorm, it is important to have your roof repair Pearland TX and other property inspected by a knowledgeable professional. Choose the key indicators that are most relevant, so you know what to check for and when to bring in the expert.
Check the Shingles for Visible Damage
The roof surface is one of the initial parts of the home owners should analyze following the hail event. Hail can fracture asphalt shingles, cause dents, bruises or even blow off parts of the roof. Impacts may cause indentations or dislodged granules.
Granule loss is critical because the granules on the shingles protect them from the sun and weather. When a large number of shingles show signs of impact it is very likely that the roof has been subjected to more damage than can be seen from the ground.
Homeowners should never attempt to walk the roof, especially if the roof is wet or the roof has been damaged. A visual inspection with a ladder on the ground can locate any visible problems, but a professional can examine unreachable spots for potential problems.
Look for Missing or Damaged Shingles
Hard hail and high winds have the potential to dislodge roofing material. Following a storm, check the yard and around the house for fragments of shingles or roofing material. Presence of roofing material on the ground can be a sign that the roof has been compromised.
Missing shingles will allow rain and moisture directly to the roofing system. Even a small hole can lead to leaks and water damage over time. Any missing or damaged shingles should be evaluated promptly.
Inspect Gutters and Downspouts
Hail can also cause damage to the gutters, downspouts, or other exposed parts. Look for cracks, loose gutters, or granules from the roof accumulated in the gutter.
A few granules may naturally be present on shingles, especially as the shingles age. However, large amounts of granules right after a hailstorm could alert the homeowner to have the shingles inspected to determine the cause of the granules. Damaged gutters can influence the runoff of rainwater away from the house.
Examine Roof Flashing and Vents
Roof flashing is used to cover weak points and joining lines in a roof such as where two roofing surfaces join or where the roof joins with something else. There is potential for hail to cause dents and damage to the flashing around chimneys, skylights, vents and any other roof openings.
Dents or even cracks might occur in vents on the roof and other visible parts of the house. These places should not be ignored due to the possibility that they may allow water into the house.
Check the Attic and Ceilings for Water Signs
Some damage from hail may not be obvious from the outside. Water might get into the home through cracked or broken shingles or through flashing and work its way in slowly.
Following a storm, look in the attic for any damp insulation; water stains or odor may also be present. Based on inspection indoors, note if there is any new staining or flaking paint on ceiling or upper portions of walls.
In this case the symptoms could be the water has already penetrated the roofing system. If the origin is isolated promptly further damages to insulation, drywall, timber and other general areas of the house can be avoided.
Consider the Age and Condition of the Roof
Hail is more likely to cause damage to a roof that is aged before the storm. Old shingles may have some weak spots which make the distribution of damage more susceptible to storm damage.
Any roof that was already aging, cracking, curling or losing granules could be more closely scrutinized following a hail storm. Even in the absence of apparent leaks, impact from storms can diminish the remaining service life of roofing materials.
Know When Professional Inspection Is Needed
Sometimes the damage isn‘t obvious to a home owner; it may be very hard to find when looking at the house from the ground and difficult to ignore, but other times problems may not be so easy to see without examining individual shingles and other roof parts.
Get a professional‘s opinion whether the damage is simply cosmetic, or whether it indicates damage to the main purpose of a roof: protecting the interior of the home. As long as the roof itself isn‘t compromised, repairing damage proactively can save you issues with moisture intrusion in the long run.
Looking for a roofing professional to repair Hail damage roof repair Sugar Land TX? Make sure the professional understands the effect of a major weather event and can accurately assess the condition of the roof.
In the same vein, homeowners who want Roof repair Pearland TX should address their storm-related concerns sooner than later instead of waiting for a leak or some other serious issue to occur.
Document the Damage After the Storm
Photographs of visibly identified damage may be helpful to keep a record of roof condition. Take pictures of damaged shingles, gutters, vents, flashing, interior visible water stains.
If you happened to record when the hailstorm occurred and when it was first observed to have caused damage, this documentation may also be useful. If you have to file an insurance claim, it can potentially make it easier to explain what happened.
Do Not Ignore Small Signs of Hail Damage
Hail damage can be unpredictable; like most minor roofing problems they can become more serious with persistent rains, sun and wind. An impaired shingle may later develop to reach to the inner layers of the roof.
Thus, homeowners should visually inspects their roofs after high intensity hail storms and heed all warnings signs which can be seen during an inspection. This should be done as early as possible for repairs of the roof to be made in a cost effective and economical fashion.
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