Understanding Hail Damage to Roofs

A hail storm can really damage your house…

For people who have a home, one of the most worrisome concerns can be protecting the structure against damage from storms. For people who live in North Carolina, the concern for substantial storm damage to homes is significant.

The areas of a home to suffer damage in a storm, the roof the most problematic. Because North Carolina is well known to get tropical weather systems, the chances for roof damage is high. High winds and hail often accompany major storm systems in the state and increases the likelihood that the home will suffer from some roof hail storm damage.

Understanding How Hail Damages Roofs

One of the biggest concerns with hail and high winds is the puncture, cracking, and displacement of roof tiles. Hail occurs when there is a clash in the upper winds in a weather system, and therefore it often accompanies intense thunderstorms. Because North Carolina is situated in between a semi-tropical and a mild mid-Atlantic region, the state is well known for extreme weather patterns where hail may be present.

When hail occurs in sizes that are larger than an inch, it can pummel a rooftop and create damage to roof tiles and sub roofing. Higher winds and heavy rain often accompany these storms. The combination of these weather phenomena creates an adverse condition for roof systems. While heavy rain is generally tolerated well by roof tiles, winds with updrafts, higher velocity winds as well as pummeling hail are known to dislodge, crack and puncture roof tiles and damage sub roofing.

As with any damage to a roof, it is essential to repair hail damage on roofs quickly to protect the home. Tiles that are damaged and not repaired or replaced increase the likelihood of damage to sub-roofing systems and mold growth. While some homeowners may not be aware of how much damage their roof has sustained, a simple check by a roofer after a storm can verify if there are any tiles that are damaged.

In addition to tiles that are pulled away from the main roof system and cracked tiles, hail can cause holes in roof tiles. Depending on the size, amount of, and velocity of the hail, the damage to the roof tiles can be extensive. If this occurs, then the roof tiles may have holes, pockets, and cracks.

The 5 Major Signs of Hail Damage

· Darkened or lightened Spots in the Granules of the Roof Tiles

· Cracks in Roof Tiles

· Puncture and indentations on Roof Tiles

· Exposed Sub Roofing

· Displaced Roof Tiles

In each of these signs, the need for repair or replacement of tiles is often the only solution. Understanding what to expect and how to identify the appearance of damaged tiles is essential.

Darkened or Lightened Spots on the Roof Tiles- After a hail storm, the roof may not show immediate signs of damage such as holes in the tiles. However, if the roof tiles appear to have darkened or lightened spots, it may be a sign that the tile granules have been damaged. Typically, this means the coating that protects the tiles is now unable to offer proper protection and may start to breakdown in the tile. If this occurs, roof tiles will begin to crack and whither in an advanced aging process.

Cracks in Roof Tiles- This is quite common after a heavy hailstorm. While lighter hailstorms may not show significant damage unless the velocity of the hail is significant, heavier hail particles that pummel a roof can shatter and crack roof tiles. This often noticeable when the roof tiles separate or seem out of alignment.

Puncture and Indentations on Roof Tiles- The appearance of holes or dots on a roof after a hail storm often means the roof tiles have been damaged and will require replacing. Once roof tiles have holes in them, they are no longer effective at protecting the home against the elements.

Exposed Sub Roofing- If roof tiles have blown off a roof because of the extensive winds or hail in a storm, it will be evident through darkened patches on a roof where the sub roofing is the only covering. This means that the storms system was so intense that it removed the roof tiles.

Displaced Roof Tiles- This often accompanies heavy wind events as well as hail. In these cases, the roof tiles will appear removed from their settings and are usually found layered on top of other roof tiles.

What Type of Repair is Usually Required?

Hail storms can cause varying amounts of damage from mild to more severe. If there are just a few tiles that require replacing, this should be able to be accomplished quite easily. If the sub roofing is damaged in the storm as well, the damaged section would likely need to be brought down to the base of the roof system and reconstructed. This may be just present as a small portion of the roof or in patches.

Because hailstones can be anywhere between pebble-sized to grapefruits, there is no universal answer on how much work will have to be done to a hail damaged roof. The more tiles that are damaged, the more there is a concern that the entire roof system could be compromised, which will result in advanced aging and ineffective structural roof protection.

If the damage is extensive and many tiles have pockets, indents, cracks or displacement, then a complete roof replacement is sometimes recommended for the long-term performance of the roof system.

Hail Damage Insurance Claims

In most cases, homes are insured for roof hail storm damage. How much an insurance company will pay towards the repair of the hail damage is often dependent on the policy coverage and guidelines. However, most insurance adjusters will benefit from a local estimate from a roofing services company. Not all hail storms cause roof damage. If a roof is older than 15 years, it is more likely to show signs of damage than a newer roof system. If your home has experienced a hail storm, it is recommended that a professional roofing services company examine your roof to look for signs of damage.

If you have any further questions, or want to request a quote, click the button below!