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Hail’s Effects on Roofs and Hail Resistant Roofing Options
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Colorado’s Front Range has the ominous nick name “Hail Alley.” Hail Alley receives the largest hail more frequently than anywhere else in North America and most of the world. Residents in Hail Valley can count on at least three damaging hail storms each year. Hail causes serious property damage each year. In the last decade,hail has caused more than $3 billion in insured damage in Colorado alone.
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Common Types of Roof Damage
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Different roof types have different indicators. Below are a few common types of damage that your roof could suffer.
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1. Cracks and tears in roofs with tiling or shingles may crack with age. Leaks that could be leaking into the attic or crawlspace could result from cracks. Cracks might not be visible from the ground. There are cracks that may not be easy to see without a close examination.
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2. Hail Damage – It can be hard to spot hail damage on your roof after a storm. There are methods to determine whether there’s damage to your roof without needing to climb up onto the roof of your home. It is important to check your gutters for damage and dents. If your gutters were damaged by hail most likely is hail damage on your roof. It is also possible to inspect the drain spouts of your home. Damage to the roof will reveal black mineral deposits around the downspouts.
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3. Wind Damage – The tension levels of wind are higher at the corners of the roof. Wind is able to loosen the roof around the corners. Once loose, it can move underneath and push the roof up,exposing the underside. Rain and hail can move into the roof and the more loose the roof, the more the wind will be able to grip it,causing it to fall off. Other forms of wind damage to a roof is flying debris. This kind of debris can build up or block drain pipes,causing flooding.
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4. Debris – Debris that accumulates can cause damage to all parts of the drainage system on your roof starting from the downspouts and gutters to the drain openings. Organic debris like leaves can create fungal growth and dark brown to black stains on your roof. Moss can develop from this kind of debris. It could reduce the lifespan of a roof,by storing moisture in high-value areas. Additionally depending on the climate that your home is in,this moisture could freeze.
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Hail Roof Damage – What to Look For
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You must be able to spot hail damage to your roof so you can file a claim with your insurance company. It is essential to be able to spot hail damage with just one glance. If you are aware of what to be looking for,you can survey your own roof for a quick assessment. If you’re certain that hail damage has been caused to your roof call your insurance company to have them send an inspector.
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- Vents And Vents
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Experts suggest that downspouts of gutters can be a good spot to check for damage, and also vents. It’s a good idea to stroll around and conduct a visual inspection of these areas after a hail storm.
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- Granules
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If you have asphalt shingles, what you would want to look for is asphalt granules that are removed. It is possible to find granules on a newly installed roof. What you will need to be on the lookout for is an excess amount,far greater than the normal.
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- Dings
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If hail is so strong that it could cause a nick in our metal gutters by breaking them,then it’s possible that it will also harm your roof.
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- Walk Your Roof
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Make sure you do this only if you are sure. You’re looking for tiny scratch marks. It is not necessary to see more than one per square foot. Your roof should be replaced. Water can cause your roof to deteriorate and allow water to enter your home.
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Causes of Roof Damage
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The roof is an essential element of your home. There are a myriad of things that could compromise the roof’s ability to do what it was designed to do. These issues cannot be seen without expert inspections by those trained to recognize the issues. Roof damage can cause costly and more long-lasting issues for your home if not discovered.
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How to Repair Roof Damage From Storms
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In order to repair damage caused by storms to your roofing,the very first step is identify what’s the cause of it. You can evaluate the damage and determine whether you need to replace support beams,or if you are just looking to replace a few shingles. If you’re in the attic it’s an absolute advantage to go up there and determine if there was any damage to the structure of the wood, usually there isn’t,but in the case of a major storm that has debris flying and hail, there may be an underpinning extent of damage.
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Hail Storm Roof Damage FAQs
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Protecting the structural integrity of your roofing system should be a top priority,as it is one of the most important aspects of any fundamental home maintenance and repair agenda. As soon as your roof begins to show signs of damage or reduced performance,it is wise to contact a licensed roofing company who can locate the source of the damage and make any professional repairs or adjustments as needed. The sooner you catch a roof problem and deal with it,the less costly and invasive the repair process will be. This includes professional post-storm inspections to ensure your property is still intact.
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Since most homeowners are not roofing experts,it is common to have a lot of questions and concerns when it comes time to repair a roof. Continue below to read some frequently asked questions about roof repair and replacement to gain a better understanding of your roofing system’s needs after a harsh storm.
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- If There is Only a Small Amount of Damage,Should I Still Repair My Roof?
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Even if you only have a small amount of damage,you must have it repaired to protect the true structural integrity of your roofing system. Neglecting to repair small damages can lead to costlier ones down the line,like water damage.
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- Will My Insurance Carrier Drop Me if I File a Roof Repair Claim?
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Since storm damage is something that is mostly out of your control,it is very unlikely that your homeowners’ insurance carrier will drop your policy. In fact,it is illegal for them to do so in most states. It is possible that there are exceptions to this rule,but in most cases,your policy will not be canceled for filing a storm damage repair claim.
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- Will My Insurance Carrier Increase My Rates if I File a Roof Repair Claim?
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It is common for insurance carriers to raise everyone’s rates across the board after a severe storm or natural disaster. One way to look at this is that you should file a claim for repair since you are already going to help pay for everyone else’s. It is possible that there are exceptions to this rule as well.
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- Why is My New Roof Not Covered By the Manufacturer’s Warranty?
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It is very common for roof product manufacturers to exclude hail repairs in their warranties. In fact,several warranties specifically name hail as a non-covered repair. Keep in mind that newer roofs are more prone to hail damage since they have not yet had ample time to cure and gain resistance against the natural elements. To avoid this problem,talk to a trusted contractor about the affordable hail damage protection options available to you.
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- Do I Have Storm Damage if All My Shingles are Still Intact?
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Missing shingles are not the only indication of storm damage. A storm can cause all sorts of problems for a roof,many of which are undetectable at first glance. For this reason,it is important to understand that your roof may still have been damaged in a severe storm even if it looks like it is in the same condition as before.
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