What does hail do to my roofing system?
Although all types of bad weather can damage your roof, hail can be especially damaging to your shingles. Hail, which can be the size of tiny ice pellets or as large as softballs. Even small hail can cause damage and it is important to know that the manufacturer’s warranty may not cover damage caused by hail.
Noticeable Damage
Unfortunately, hail damage may not be immediately noticeable. Hail can cause damage that may not be seen but could shorten the life of your shingles. It may take months or years before you can see the damage to the shingles caused by hail which makes it difficult to identify. If there is noticeable damage, it may appear as indentations or fractures on the surface of the shingle. If you can’t see damage on the shingles, check for damage on metal flashings, chimney caps, siding, or the flashings of your skylights. Over time, you may also see clusters of granules falling from the shingles, exposing the asphalt underneath.
Common Types of Hail Damage
Granules may be lost where the hail made an impact. There may also be surface depression where the granules are lost. Many people consider granule loss as merely cosmetic but it can be serious as the asphalt under the granules may be exposed which can lead to premature aging of the shingle. Hail may also cause cracks in the surface which can radiate from the point of impact or the fiberglass mat may be exposed. The fiberglass mat can actually fracture and this damage may not be immediately visible. The self-seal strip can also be damaged by hail, weakening the integrity which could result in the shingle blowing off at a later time.
Replacing Damaged Shingles
It is possible to replace damaged shingles after a hail storm but latent damage to surrounding shingles may be difficult to identify. Because the surrounding shingles may also have suffered damage, it is often recommended that your entire roof be replaced. If the damage is confined to just one section of the roof, it is possible you can replace the shingles in that area alone. If this is possible, be sure that the nails removed from surrounding shingles be replaced. In addition, the surrounding shingles will need to be resealed by hand to avoid further damage.
If your roof has suffered hail damage, contact Smooth Construction Group for a complete inspection.