After a terrible hailstorm, what is the right thing to do? Even if you feel like there’s nothing much to worry about, hail could be destructive. Yes, they may be tiny but they travel at a speed of about 120 mph. Now, you might find yourself asking how to fix hail damage on roof. We’ll share with you some of the most practical tips that you should follow in order to solve your hail damage roofing dilemmas.

But first, let’s dig deeper and understand what hailstorms are all about. This will help you prepare and plan more appropriately to avoid further damages.

Understanding the Science behind Hailstorms

Basically, hail is considered as a form of precipitation. They fall during heavy thunderstorms in small pellet-like ice balls. If you’re wondering how they come to life, here’s a brief explanation. If a storm system’s lower region has warm air and its upper region has extremely freezing temperature, hail can develop inside the clouds. When raindrops reach the sub-zero area, they freeze into tiny ice crystals we call hail. Their sizes vary as hail pieces can go as big as golf balls and as small as peas.

A person holding a hail on his hand.

A hail looks like a spherical ice crystal that may come in different sizes.

Contrary to what many people assume, hail is not in any way related to cold or winter weather events. In most cases, they signify a severe storm accompanied by thunder, lightning, strong winds, and sometimes even tornadoes.

Hailstorms are one of the most destructive natural calamities due to the intensity of hail pieces that land all over including your property’s exterior parts (roof, siding, windows, walls, gutters, etc.). No matter how durable and tough these exposed areas are, they are not exempted to hail damage. As a homeowner or commercial building owner, it’s helpful to have basic knowledge on how to fix hail damage on roof. However, it doesn’t mean that you should be the one to do it. If you can perform an initial assessment of damage, then, you can also identify the crucial steps to address the problems (the right way).

Signs of a Roof Hail Damage

After a hail storm, the first thing that you need to do is to check your surroundings. Not necessarily the roof itself immediately because you can see the signs everywhere. On the fence, one the ground, your vehicle, plants, etc.

To be more specific and accurate, here are the tell-tale signs of roof hail damages that you can watch out for:

Dents and Punctures

The most obvious signs could probably be dents and punctures. It can indicate pressure from hail that attempted to penetrate your property through the roof. They are usually found in metal parts of the roof like flashings, vents, ridges, or the material itself if it’s made from steel, aluminum, etc.

Aerial image of a completely ruined roof after a severe storm

A photo of a total destruction caused by strong winds and high-intensity hail impact.

The extent of the damages depends on the intensity. If it’s not too severe, you may notice some scratches and slight cuts. However, in extreme cases, they can directly puncture and create deep dents that are noticeable even from afar. You have to be mindful of the signs since not all of them are visible to ordinary eyes. Hence, it’s still best to seek professional assistance from experienced local roofers.

Broken or Missing Shingles

A close up view of shingles blown off a roof.

Hail impact can cause minor to severe shingle damage. In this photo, there are displaced parts of the roofing.

Cracks (especially if they are in circular forms), bruises, displaced granules, and other kinds of disintegrations are also signs pointing to hail damage. If one or two shingles are missing, it may be due to the pressure of strong winds along with hail that can tear up parts of your roof. Newer roofs may perform better as they can resist the strength of hailstorms. On the other hand, if your roofing is already brittle and aging, it may not be as effective anymore and could sustain severe damages.

Unusual Soft Spots

Roofing materials are sturdy and tough. It shouldn’t be flimsy or fragile. However, hailstorms can dampen areas of your roofing due to the ice crystals that they bring and also, of course, the heavy amount of rainwater. If you touch certain parts of your roof and they seem to be damp and soft, it could probably be hail damage. Any unusual appearance or marks signify a problem that a roofing expert should accurately assess.

How to Fix Hail Damage on Roof?

More than the technical skills, you need to equip yourself with the fundamental knowledge on how to fix hail damage on roof. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you should take matters into your own hands because that route might not be safe and effective. Instead, there are more practical ways on how to fix hail damage on the roof.

If you want to restore your roof into a good condition, here are some practical steps that you can follow:

Visual Inspection

If the weather report confirms that a hailstorm has hit your area, then it’s time to perform a visual inspection. You don’t have to access your roof if it’s not safe to do so. Remember that after a storm, it can be slippery. Check the gutters, siding, windows, edges of your roof, and other parts of the house that were exposed to hail.

Document the Damages

It’s helpful to take as many notes, photos, and videos as you can.  If you want to know how to fix hail damage on roof, you have to start by documenting the outcomes. You need to gather pieces of evidence that there was indeed a hailstorm in your area and that it has caused damages to your roofing.

Schedule Professional Inspection

A roofing contractor visits a site for hail damage inspection.

Roofing experts can conduct a site inspection professionally. They can detect damages and provide precise recommendations.

Once you have enough information and proofs on-hand, the next best move is to reach out to a reputable local roofing contractor. Explain the situation and schedule a site visit so that they can perform a professional inspection.

File for Roof Damage Insurance Claim

After the expert assessment, the next tip is to prepare your roofing insurance documents. Organize all the papers and contact your insurance provider. They will also schedule a site inspection to reconcile your claims and the coverage. It’s best to work hand-in-hand not only with the insurance company but also with your roofing partner to make sure that you’ll maximize your claims.

Related: The Basics of a Successful Roof Hail Damage Insurance Claim

Summary

If you need help on how to fix hail damage on roof, you can always go back to our practical tips outlined above. The key takeaway is to be a vigilant property owner. Treat hail damage with urgency. Once you spot signs of hail damage, don’t delay it any further. Get in touch with a trusted roofing company to get professional assistance and recommendations.

Should you need further guidance or if you have more questions on how to fix hail damage on roof, don’t hesitate to speak with our hail damage roofing experts: 214-227-2763.