During a hailstorm, your roof is vulnerable to damage and future repairs. Just how much damage depends on multiple factors including wind, size and density of the hail, and the type of roof covering.

The direction and speed of the wind can vary greatly during a hailstorm. Changes in the wind conditions can affect the severity of hail impacts. Wind damage alone can compromise a roof over time. If you have wind damage, you may spot areas of missing shingles but it is important to keep in mind that not all damage is visible from the ground.

The size of the hailstones have a large effect on the amount of damage. In a strong storm, hailstones can be greater than 1” in diameter which can cause severe damage. However, even hail that is less than 1” in diameter can be damaging when combined with strong winds. Hail damage is often easier to spot when it has been caused by hail that is 1-2” in diameter.

Certain building materials will absorb hail impacts differently. For example, hail damage to aluminum siding, gutters, or asphalt shingles will appear as a dent or a ding, whereas hail damage to vinyl siding or wood shakes will cause the materials to crack. It should also be noted that older roofs, or roofs that are not carefully maintained, are more susceptible to greater damages.

Unfortunately, hail damage can be hard to spot. There are other types of damage to shingles that can be mistaken for hail damage. Collateral damage such as dents on the metal caps, siding, and AC units can help identify hail damage and determine the size of the hailstones.

The most common hail damage is not obvious to the untrained eye but will shorten the life of your roof. If a recent hail storm hit your area and you are concerned about the condition of your roof, it is always best to call a professional roofing contractor. After any severe storm there will be fly-by-night roofers that will do the work quickly before fleeing town. Always be sure to hire a local and licensed professional with the proper certifications and proof of insurance.

The experts at Gulf Western Roofing are trained to recognize hail damage and we’ll be able to tell you whether or not the damage was severe enough to compromise your roof. At Gulf Western Roofing, we’re in this for the life of your roof. We’ve been around for over 18 years and we’ll be around for 18+ more!