What to Do in Case Your Roof Suffered Hail Damage

A hailstorm can be a scary weather occurrence to witness. Due to the amount of hailstones falling from the sky (and not to mention the intense sound they create as they hit hard surfaces), these intense storms can cause damage to roofs, siding, windows, doors and other home exterior components. Hail damage on roofs, however, is the biggest worry for many homeowners. Depending on the extent and severity of the storm, hail can compromise your roof’s structural integrity. If not addressed promptly, it can lead to leaks, which then causes water damage inside your home. 

If a hailstorm occurs in your area and you suspect roof damage, you must know the steps to take to address it. Today, we offer a handy guide to help you out in events like this.

What to Do Right After the Hailstorm

A timely visual inspection is all you need to do as soon as the weather clears. In the immediate aftermath of a hailstorm, you must:

• Take note of the time and date the storm took place, including when you think your property suffered damage.
• Take as many photos and videos of your property as possible, making sure to focus on items and components that were damaged.
• Check the roof from a vantage point on the ground using a pair of binoculars, but you must take caution if there is other debris lying around on the ground.
• Use a tape measure, and place it next to a hailstone you find on the ground. Take photos of the hail. If there’s no tape measure, you can use a similar object to scale like a ping pong ball.

Documentation must be done right away, or you risk weakening your claim. Hailstones will melt, and if you fail to take photos or videos of them on the ground, you may not get the adequate compensation that will help cover your roof repair costs.

Mitigating Roof Damage Following a Hailstorm

If your roof suffered a leak following a hailstorm, you must do everything you can to mitigate the damage. Consider installing a tarp over the leaking area to stop water from further damaging your roof and your home interiors. Once you’re done with the inspection and mitigation, consider checking the other areas of your home that may have been damaged by hail, including the siding, windows, outdoor AC unit and other structures within your property.

Signs Indicating a Hail-Damaged Roof

In addition to the hailstones on the ground, the cracked glass on your windows and the dents on your siding, you must also take note of any damage you see on your roof after the hailstorm. These include:

• Missing shingles. Check if the roof underlayment is exposed or something off with the shingle patterns. Check the ground for any pieces of shingles as well; it’s likely that your roof may have suffered wind damage, too.
• Damaged shingles. Check the shingles for any signs of buckling, curling, cracking or splitting. Look for dislodged granules in your gutters and downspouts as well.
• Damaged gutter system. Your gutters might show signs of dents due to the hailstones hitting them.

Work With a Reputable Roofing Contractor

A visual inspection of your roof after a hailstorm done on your own won’t be enough, however. You still need the skills and expertise of a professional roofing contractor who can determine the full extent of the roof damage. You don’t have to worry since the inspections are free – they consider these a cost of doing business, and they base their work on whether you have a claim for damages in the first place.

When looking for roof repair contractors, be sure that they are manufacturer-certified for your peace of mind. A quick online search will also help you in learning more about their industry experience. Check out reviews from their former clients; if you want further information, ask for references from your different potential roofing contractors. From there, you can determine if they are honest and provide high-quality services.

Once you’ve made your choice and scheduled an appointment with them, be sure that you are at home as the roofers perform the inspection. Let them know that no repairs will be made during this time. Take this as an opportunity to find out if your roof did suffer hail damage and is eligible to file a claim.

Get in Touch With Your Insurance Provider

Review your insurance policy, and then call your insurance company. This is the time when you will share all of the documentation you previously produced during the visual inspection – all the photos and videos that tell what the insurance needs to know about your claim. Once your insurer has all the necessary information, you’ll receive a claim number. Expect one of its adjusters to schedule a visit to inspect the damage to your property.

When you inform your insurance provider of your situation, be sure to have that your schedule with the adjuster is the same as your chosen roofing contractors. The roofers will act as your third-party representative in this instance, which means the approximate estimates they provide will help keep your insurance company honest as the adjuster processes your claim.

With your insurance adjuster and roofing contractor going over the roof hail damage, you can rest easy knowing that they’ll arrive at a conclusion that leans in your favor. The two will be able to take care of your situation, minimizing any unnecessary back and forth that may cause delays in the processing of your claim.

Trust Us for Your Residential Roofing Needs

For nearly 30 years, the team at Done-Right Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd. has delivered residential roofing expertise to homeowners in the Halton region. Our team of residential, low-sloped and flat roofing experts is fully insured and manufacturer-certified, and participates in regular health and safety training to bring you the best service with the utmost care and professionalism.

Count on us to provide emergency roof repairs when storm damage or another incident suddenly impacts your roof. Call us today at (289) 809-6133, or fill out our online contact form to request a quote.