When you’re hit with a hail storm, it’s not only your car that can take a beating. Hail can cause serious damage to roofs and other parts of a home. Certain areas of the country are used to this kind of weather, but the inland Pacific Northwest is not immune to the wreckage from hail.
Recently, parts of Eastern Washington and northern Idaho experienced a hailstorm that caused severe damage to gardens, vehicles, and – unfortunately – gutters and roofs as well.
After storms like this, having a professional inspection is critical, especially with fall and winter waiting in the wings. You don’t want to discover that you have roof damage later in the season when torrents of water come into your house or attic. Even more, an inspection right after a hailstorm will allow your insurance company to verify that the damage was, in fact, caused by the hail storm, and not by poor maintenance.
It is wise to take advantage of getting a free inspection. You can obtain one from your homeowner’s insurance carrier or even your local fire department. But keep in mind that your insurance company is inspecting for the purpose of finding out what it might have to cover, and the fire department is looking for safety hazards. Only a professional roofing contractor can come out and do a detailed inspection of all areas of your gutters, seams, and roofline. Many insurance adjusters will even ask that a roofer accompany them on the inspection visit. Whomever you choose to help you discover if you have serious damage to your roof, be sure a professional performs the inspection.
What Kind of Damage Can Hail Storms Cause to a Roof?
Just as large hailstones can cause dents and dings in your car, they can also cause damage to your roofing. If it hits hard enough or just in the right way, it can cause breakage or tears in the shingle material. In addition to roofing shingles, you may also have damage to chimneys, vents, flashing, skylights, and other structures on the roof.
Your gutters and downspouts can take a beating, as well. Not only may your gutters get dents, but the hammering from the hail can cause them to detach from the roof, creating gaps that will cause leaks into your attic, or cause seeping down your walls in through window and door jambs, or even down to your basement or foundation.
A roofing contractor can do a thorough inspection of your roof, all your roof structures, your gutters, and your downspouts. They can tell you what is damaged and how to fix it. And don’t get too discouraged: even if you do have damage, many roof problems can be resolved by repairing the damaged areas, without having to re-do your entire roof. Your roofing contractor can work with your insurer to document the damage and substantiate your claim. In addition, your contractor can also tell you if there are any other maintenance or repair issues, not related to the hail storm, that you should address before fall and winter come, such as whether you need your gutters cleaned or repaired.
If you’re a homeowner in the Northwest who has been affected by a heavy hail storm and you would like your roof inspected, contact one of our professional roofing specialists at Precision Gutters and Roofing and make an appointment for an inspection. Our licensed and bonded professional team is happy to provide you with a free estimate on any needed repairs to your roof or gutters.