Identifying Hail Roof Damage: Why You Should Get an Inspection

Identifying Hail Roof Damage

Have you experienced a hailstorm recently? It most recently hailed in Atlanta, IL, just outside of the Bloomington-Normal area. If you’ve had hail damage from the recent hailstorm and need a roof inspection in or near Bloomington, IL, call our team at Sundown Exteriors today at (217) 737-9117. We provide expert hail damage repair and will work with your insurance when it comes to roof replacements.

Keep a fully functional roof over your head by understanding how to identify hail roof damage, and why homeowners should schedule inspections after a storm.

In Bloomington, Normal, and Lincoln, Illinois, we experience our fair share of powerful thunderstorms. On occasion, those storms produce hail that causes billions of dollars of damage to homes, cars, and other property.

If you need emergency roof repair in Bloomington, IL, or the surrounding area, contact Sundown Exteriors immediately! We will work with your insurance provider to get you the repair or replacement you deserve.

Read on as we discuss the different types of hail damage that your roof might suffer during a storm.

Types of Hail Damage to Roofs

Storms can inflict several different types of hail damage to a roof. Although the scope and severity of the hail roof damage may vary, the solution usually involves the replacement of tiles, shingles, or shake.

Some of the most common types of hail damage include the following.

Granule Shedding

One of the most obvious forms of hail damage involves the premature shedding of granules from your asphalt shingles. As balls of ice pound your rooftop, they may jar loose thousands of granules. You may notice bald spots on your shingles or granules strewn about your walkways.

Bruising

Many of our clients laugh when we first tell them that some of the shingles have suffered bruising because they think we are joking. However, asphalt shingles really do bruise if something hits them hard enough. Stand back from your home and see if you can spot any black dots on your shingles. If so, your roof probably has a few bruises. Bruises and blistering roof shingles ultimately crack allowing water to enter your property.

Cracked Tiles or Torn Shingles

Another common type of damage from hail involves cracked tiles and torn shingles. You can see cracked tiles from the ground, but we may need to hop onto the roof to spot torn shingles. In most cases, a simple tile or shingle replacement will make your roof whole again.

Factors That Determine the Extent of Hail Roof Damage

Hail Roof Damage factors

No two hailstorms leave the same calling card. Sometimes, what seems like a forceful hailstorm will bring about very little damage. Other times, a brief hailstorm can destroy an entire roof.

Many different factors come into play when measuring the extent of your roof damage before you file a claim on your homeowner’s insurance. Find the most important ones below.

Size

The average size of the hailstones has a significant impact on the extent of the damage your roof suffers. In general, the larger and heavier the hailstones are, the greater the damage will be to your roof. However, large, soft hailstones will typically do less damage than small, hard hailstones.

Wind

How much wind a hailstorm puts out can also affect the amount of damage your roof experiences. High winds, coupled with hail, can blow away asphalt shingles, exposing the materials underneath.

Roofing Materials

The quality of your roofing materials will partly determine how much a hailstorm will damage your roof. Usually, high-quality materials will withstand a hailstorm better than mid-grade materials, but not always.

Impediments

Natural and man-made impediments to falling hailstones can moderate the extent of your hail roof damage. Examples include:

  • Trees
  • Nearby office towers
  • Adjacent cliffs or mountain faces
  • Barns and silos
  • Solar shading

Places to Look for Roof Hail Damage Before Calling a Roofer

If your neighborhood just experienced a hailstorm, you should inspect your home as soon as you feel safe to go outside. Make sure to check some of the following places for signs of hail damage.

Rain Gutters

Inspect your rain gutters and downspouts for dents. You should also check for granules inside your gutters. If you notice dents and granules, then your shingles and tiles probably suffered damage, too.

Siding

siding hail damage

The siding of your home represents another easy place to look for hail damage. Any hailstones big enough to dent your siding will also damage your roof enough to require roof repairs.

Wooden Decks and Fences

Step onto your deck or take a walk along your wooden fence to assess the damage. If you notice freshly chipped paint and dents in the wood, then your roof likely took a few big hits, as well.

Why You Should Get a Roof Inspection After an Illinois Hailstorm

Restore your roof from hail damage by calling us at Sundown Exteriors, the best roofing contractor serving Normal, Illinois. If you suspect that your home has experienced roof hail damage, call to schedule a professional inspection immediately. Our veteran team of expert roofers will document everything for your homeowners insurance claims.

Call us at (217) 737-9117 to schedule your comprehensive inspection today with our team at Sundown Exteriors in Lincoln, Bloomington, or Normal, IL, or the surrounding communities.