Hail is basically frozen rain, so when it hails, a lot of damage can occur. Just imagine tiny ice cubes falling from the sky – it’s hard not to imagine that they wouldn’t do some damage. This is why if it hails near your Baltimore area home, you should rightfully be worried about any damage that it may have caused to your roof.
Tips to Follow After Experiencing Hail
The following are some of the tips you should follow if you’ve experienced hail in your area.
- Don’t ignore your roof – Don’t assume that your roof is fine just because it hasn’t caved in. Hail can cause small damage that can have a big impact on your home. For example, hail can crack shingles, which can lead to leaks over time. Any damage that hail has done to your roof should be examined and repaired if needed.
- How you can tell if you’ve experienced hail damage – One of the easiest ways to determine if hail may have damaged your roof is by looking at some of the other features on your property. For example, if you notice dents in your gutters, downspouts or gutter screens or on your outdoor A/C unit or wooden deck, then there’s a pretty good chance that your roof has experienced some of this type of damage as well.
- Get a professional inspection – Don’t just circle around the exterior of your home in order to do a visual inspection of the roof. You’re going to need a professional to get up on your roof and do a thorough examination for potential damage. This is not something you will want to do on your own unless you have experience and training – otherwise, it’s most likely too dangerous to attempt on your own.
Types of Hail Damage
The following are the types of hail damage that a professional roof inspector will look for when examining your roof:
- Visible damage – Certain types of damage can be spotted instantly, such as cracked or split wooden shingles or dents in asphalt shingles. This type of damage can leave the shingles more vulnerable to leaks as well as to high winds. Visible damage can also be identified by the black marks that hail often leaves.
- Soft spots – Some shingles may not look to be damaged because they absorbed the contact without splitting or breaking. However, this can leave soft spots in the shingles that make them more vulnerable to potential damage in the future.
- Loss of granules – The granules on the shingles help to protect the roof felt. Hail can cause the shingles to lose their granules, which will often collect in the gutters. It generally means that the shingles will need to be replaced.
If your home has experienced hail, then there’s a chance your roof may have been damaged. You should have a professional come inspect your roof so that you can make any needed repairs. To schedule a roof inspection following potential hail damage, contact us at Park Heights Roofing today.