Understanding Frozen Precipitation and Its Impact on Your Roof
When a thunderstorm updraft lifts a drop of water above freezing levels in the atmosphere, the water droplet turns into ice. As the frozen water drop floats high in the clouds, it accumulates other drops of supercooled water or water vapor. As water drops bond and freeze, a hailstone is formed. The stone continues growing in size until it becomes heavy enough to resist the pull of the updraft and falls down toward earth. Though interesting to witness, hailstorms account for a substantial portion of home insurance claims each year. While small hail granules won’t affect much, hail can grow to pretty significant sizes. Coupled with the distance from which hail falls, these frozen bits of precipitation can damage your roof.
Although hail doesn’t usually result in an immediate leak, the impacts weaken the integrity of asphalt shingle roofs. By scuffing off the protective granules which coat a shingle, hail makes your roof covering more susceptible to leaks. Larger hail stones can also affect the flashing on your roof and increase the likelihood of leaks as well. Having your roof inspected after a hailstorm can help you catch hail damage early on to protect against future possible leaks. In Seminole, TX, hail damage roof repair services can be had by calling 432-955-5335. Our team can inspect your roof for hail damage and then help you file your insurance claim. After your claim has been approved, our roofers can start on your roof repair or replacement.
What are some indicators of hail damage to my roof?
Small hailstones don’t cause much, if any, damage. However, when damage does occur, it often looks like:
- Randomly damaged areas of roof. When hail hits, it doesn’t do so in a specific pattern. Instead, it affects random areas. These damaged areas are usually round and black in appearance and result when hail scuffs granules off the shingle, exposing the layer underneath.
- Dented gutters. Many gutters are made of aluminum and dent easily whenever hail strikes. If your gutters are dinged up, it’s likely that your roof is as well.
- Broken, curling, or cracked shingles. Hail can cause asphalt shingles to crack. Sometimes, these damaged shingles can be spotted from the ground.
Does home insurance cover hail damage roof repair?
Most insurance companies in most states cover the cost of repairing or replacing roofs affected by hail. If hailstorms have recently occurred in your area, the first thing to do is call your insurance policy. After asking some preliminary questions, they’ll then direct you to reach out to a roofer near you to schedule an inspection or they’ll send out an insurance adjuster to perform an inspection. Depending on the findings of the inspector, the insurance company will either approve or deny your claim. Whether your insurance company offers actual cash value or replacement costs depends on the specifics of your policy.
Hail Damage Roof Repair in Odessa, Texas
While, in most instances, hail damage won’t cause immediate leaks, it weakens your roof and can make it more susceptible and vulnerable to leaks in the future. The good news is that your home insurance company will likely cover repairs or replacements required to return your roof to optimal condition. However, navigating the roof insurance claim process can be tricky for someone inexperienced. Fortunately, Schmitt Roofing and Construction has decades of experience filing roof insurance claims in Seminole, TX, and can help you restore your roof after hail damage. Give us a call at 432-955-5335 or use our online form to connect.
