Why is wind-driven rain a problem?
Wind-driven rain can cause sloped roof coverings to shift and lift. Rain can then easily slide under the roof covering and directly onto the unprotected roof deck, where it causes leaks and damage to the inside of the home.
How I do I know if I have hail damage to my roof? Can I tell from the ground?
If you’ve had hail in your area, to determine if the shingles have been damaged a close inspection of the shingles has to be made from the roof. Usually you cannot tell from the ground.
If I think I have hail damage what should I do?
Call your insurance company and ask for an adjuster to come inspect your roof for hail damage. Call a reputable roofing company and ask for the same inspection. If there are any discrepancies between the adjuster’s findings and the roofer’s findings you may call for a “RE-INSPECTION” where your adjuster meets with the roofer to go over the roof together. Re-inspections are very common.
The insurance company must determine two things when assessing the amount of your loss:
- Was there sufficient damage to the roof to declare it a total loss? (Usually determined by 10 verified hail hits per 100 square feet.)
- What is the size of the roof and how many shingles will be needed to replace the roof
What does hail do to a roof? Shingles are designed so that the granules block the UV of the sun and protect the asphalt underlayment. As the shingles age the granules fall off over time. As the asphalt is exposed the UV, it dries out and the shingle gets a “potato chip” appearance as the corners start to curl up. A shingle at the extreme end of its life is bubbled in appearance and is brittle to the touch. A 20-year shingle is warranteed by the manufacturer to have a useful life, under optimal ventilation conditions, of 20 years. Hail does several things:
- Accelerates granule loss.
- Accelerates shingle aging.
- Voids manufacturer’s warrantees.
- Leads to other associated problems.
Do I need to get my roof replaced right away?
The insidious nature of hail damage is that it may pose no immediate threat to the structural integrity of the roof. However, many insurance companies have a “statute of limitations” of how long a hail claim is viable. If you have experienced a loss such as hail damage it is prudent to take care of the problem in a timely manner before it leads to other associated problems.