All About Hail Damage Roof Inspection in Minnesota
Hail causes extensive roof damage every year, especially in cold weather areas. Due to climate change, there are now unusual weather patterns and expectations for even more devastation as time progresses. It causes millions of dollars and leads to a considerable chunk of insurance claims annually.
It can be especially true in the State of Minneapolis, as they now suffer through bigger chunks of ice balls falling down their roofs more frequently than before. This danger is the main reason they are always on guard and are taking precautionary measures to combat and mitigate the damages of this natural phenomenon. If you want to know more, read on to learn more about what hail can do to roofs.
What Does Hail Damage Do to Your Roof?
Here are some of the typical issues you may find after a hail storm devastates your roof and its system:
Note: If you are doing maintenance work on your roof area, consider installing roof hatches. It will make things quicker and safer for your maintenance team to do their job.
#1. Dents
For those who don’t know, hail is when solid balls of ice rain down. These balls vary in size, but even a small one could extensively damage your roof because of their forceful impact when they fall from the sky. Expect to see dents to your downspouts, gutters, and gutter screens.
#2. Damaged Window Sills/Casings and Sidings
These parts will have some expected damages after a hail storm. These are areas where, if the roof sustains considerable damage, these items will most certainly sustain damage as well. You can also see traces of hail damage impact on any other exposed metal surfaces, such as the metal fascia on the roof eaves, even if it appears to be a minor ding.
#3. Damaged Painted Wood Surfaces and Decks
Hail damage to decks and other painted surfaces around the property is possible, along with chipped paint caused by hail. Suppose you see substantial damage to these places. In that case, you should contact a qualified roofer immediately to analyze the situation, as it could lead to further complications if you leave the problems unaddressed.
#4. Damage to HVAC and Other Outdoor Items
It’s critical to inspect your entire property for hail damage. After checking the roof, gutters, and siding, it’s time to turn your attention to the HVAC system. A broken air conditioner may qualify for insurance replacement in addition to providing a glance sign of further hail damage on the roof. Before making any decisions, have your professional roofer and electrician do a thorough inspection.
Damage to Roof Shingles
Roof shingle hail damage can be very visible or very difficult to detect. Hail damage to roof shingles requires a trained eye to see. The force needed to knock the surface materials off a shingle may surprise you. When this happens, it jeopardizes the shingle’s integrity, and a water leak might develop over time. A roof leak can result from even the tiniest hail hit on a shingle.
You can do an initial inspection to see if there is sufficient information to file an insurance claim. Most insurance companies require at least three roof sides to have eight or more hits inside a 10ft x 10ft square. Make a chalk mark on each impact so you can tell if there’s enough damage to file a claim. You can take photographs of the hail damage to provide to the insurance adjuster when they come out to check the roof.
Damage to Metal Roof
Shingles can be difficult to see when it comes to hail damage, but they aren’t the only form of roof available. Other types of roofing include hardwood shake, clay, slate, and metal. After being struck by hail, wood shingles will split down the middle. Clay and slate roofs will have fractures or gouges, while metal roofs will have impact dents, similar to what we saw on the gutters earlier. Because you can see the damage to metal roofing immediately, it is one of the easiest to notice for hail damage.
What to Do If You Suspect Any Hail Damage
Note: Before doing anything else, it’s critical that you have your contractor and insurance adjuster come out and evaluate the roof. It would be best to have in mind that the insurance company is looking for reasons to deny your claim. That’s why your contractor must inspect the roof alongside the adjuster.
If you own the property and suspect some destruction that your roof suffered from hail, the initial thing you should do is schedule a free roof inspection Goldsboro NC with a certified contractor. If the inspector suspects you have damages, the next step is to file an insurance claim with your insurance. Your insurance adjuster will give you an estimation
Many consumers wonder if their insurance will cover the cost of a new roof. The policy and the members of your team will determine the insurance claim coverage. Whether the damage is functional or aesthetic can be determined by a trained specialist. A public adjuster can assist you in reaching an equitable settlement with the adjuster.
Conclusion
When you minimize the damage and have it quickly repaired, you restore the roof’s performance to its best. On the other hand, delaying repairs exposes the roof to continued water damage to the underlayment and structural elements. If you need solid guidance or have any concerns, contact licensed roofing professional. Never hesitate to have a competent professional guiding you.
