Hail is a type of precipitation that occurs when air updrafts (upward air currents) in thunderstorms carry raindrops into the upper-level clouds where temperatures are below freezing. A small particle of ice forms around a nucleus. It could be a tiny ice crystal, speck of dust, frozen raindrop or something else.
Hailstorms can cause serious damage to a roof. The impact from a hailstone can bruise or crack roofing shingles, potentially leading to water damage in your home. In this article, GAF Master Elite® roofer Ken Morton & Sons LLC explores the factors that determine the size of hail and includes indications of hail damage on the roof.
While this may be the smallest, ¾” hail can still be damaging depending on accompanying wind speeds. Hail this size typically damages vinyl siding, window screens, metal fascia and paint on a deck. We also see it dislodge granules from asphalt shingles and damage gutters and downspouts. Because of its smaller size, property owners often fail to identify the damage associated with hail under one inch.
Once we hit the 1” mark, we start to see bruising to shingle underlayment and significant damage to siding, gutters and fascia. Wind speeds will determine the severity of the damage, and you will also see roof damage similar to damage caused by smaller sizes of hail.
With only a ¼” increase, the severity of this size of the hail is much more significant. Parts of your property exposed will sustain visible damage. Even without wind, this hail can cause damage simply by falling out of the sky.
This size of hail causes significant damage to property. Depending on the amount of hail, the length of time it falls and the accompanying wind speeds, damage to your property could be severe.
At this size, hail can penetrate softer parts of a roof, such as ridge caps or plastic roof vents. Combined with wind, this size of hail can completely tear siding off of a house, crack windows and damage most types of metal fixtures.
Anything this size or above will cause severe damage to your property. We are no longer asking “if” you have property damage, but “where” you have property damage. It’s suggested that you call a roofing contractor with insurance experience immediately after this type of storm event.
In the aftermath of a hailstorm, it’s important to get your roof checked for damage and be thorough with your roof inspection. Remember: any minor or major problems that go undetected will only worsen and become more expensive to fix as time goes on. A roofing professional will inspect the following areas and components:
1. Roof Vents, Chimneys and Skylights
First, a roof and siding repair contractor will check your roof vents, which are often made of lightweight material, for dings, dents and chipped surfaces. Cracks on a plastic vent or dents on a metal vent are clear indications that your roof has been struck with large, heavy hail. Next, the roofer will inspect the metal flashing around the chimney and look for dents. If your roof has skylights, cracked or broken glass should also be scanned during the inspection.
2. Gutters
Do not forget to inspect the gutters. While steel gutters often survive a hailstorm event without much damage, seamless gutters made with aluminum or copper construction are likely to show symptoms of impairment, like dimpling or denting. Vinyl gutters, on the other hand, may have punctures or cracks.
3. Roof Shingles
Roof shingles can also suffer great damage from hail, that is why it is crucial to call in roofing contractors as soon as possible. However, note that each roofing material tends to absorb and react differently to hail impact.
When it’s time for roof repairs or replacements, get in touch with Ken Morton & Sons LLC. Give us a call at (856) 582-8800 or complete our online request form for your free, no-obligation consultation. We serve clients in Woodstown, NJ.