From Tallahassee to Jacksonville down to Key West, Floridians everywhere are no strangers to severe storms and the damage they can cause. Beyond the wind, water, and debris that can threaten your home during a hurricane, hailstorms present a new threat entirely.
The sheer power of hail storms can cause intense damage to a roof and often require some level of repair. The size of hailstones can range from pea-size to golf ball-size, and when they come down with a vengeance, the results can leave your home’s interior exposed.
If your roof has been damaged by hail or other severe weather, you may be faced with the need for roof repair. Knowing what to expect in terms of hail damage roof repair will help you prepare for and manage the situation.
Hail Damage vs. Other Weather Damage
Hailstone impacts usually appear as circular dents in the roofing material, whereas wind damage is often greater in magnitude and can cause more widespread destruction. Hailstones are also usually round, whereas wind-blown debris tends to have more uneven edges.
Following a storm, a professional can examine your roof surface for you to determine the type and extent of the damage. They can also advise you on whether a spot repair or a full replacement is necessary.
5 Common Types of hail damage
1: Dented Gutters
Many gutters are made of aluminum and can easily become dented in the event of a hail storm. While it may seem like a minor issue, dented gutters can lead to significant clogs, causing rain to possibly leak through your roof or walls. It’s best to get any dented gutters fixed sooner rather than later to avoid further complications.
2: Broken Skylights
Skylights are an easy target for hail damage seeing as they are positioned directly on the roof. If you see that a hail storm has cracked or broken your skylight, you should immediately seek repair so that your home’s interior does not remain exposed.
3: Cracked Shingles
Similar to dented gutters, cracked shingles may seem relatively innocuous at first. However, the damage can easily worsen over time and cause leaks which may result in damage to your roof or structural components in your attic.
4: Holes In The Roof
One of the worst possible scenarios following a hail storm is finding holes in your roof. These openings will invite the elements into your attic where water and debris can accumulate. Strong and intense winds may also dislodge all or part of the roof.
Depending on the size and location of the hole, a spot repair may be possible for the section of the roof. If your manufacturer’s warranty covers these damages, you may also be able to avoid having to pay out of pocket for this service.
5: Leaks After a Hail Storm
Leaks can be caused by damage to shingles, gutters or any other part of your roof. Ranging from a minor annoyance to significant flooding, it’s best to seek assistance to get any leaks patched, regardless of the cause.
Identifying Hail Damage Roof Repair Needs
The next step in determining the kind of repair you need is to identify all of the areas on your roof that require restoration. An experienced contractor should be able to accurately identify how much work needs to be done based on their inspection of the damaged areas, but it’s also important that you understand what needs to be done as well so that there are no surprises when it comes time to start the project.
In addition to identifying the roof’s damaged areas, the contractor should also provide an estimate of how long the repairs will take so that you can make any necessary arrangements if they cannot be completed in one day. For example, if you work at home, you may want to work somewhere else that day to avoid loud noises.
Hail Damage Roof Repair Process
Once all the details are outlined and a plan is in place for repairing your roof, your contractor will schedule a service date. If there are any holes in the roof, they may place a temporary barrier over them to protect your interior in the interim.
Depending on the extent of the damage, this process could involve removing entire sections of shingles in order to access underlying layers as well as patching up smaller areas with new shingles or sealant material.
In extreme cases, a full roof replacement could be necessary. Even extensive projects like these, however, can often be completed within a single business day.
Once all of the affected areas on your roof are addressed, your contractor may apply a protective coating over the repaired area in order to help prevent further weather damage from occurring in the future. Depending on your municipality or if you live in an HOA community, a follow-up inspection might be required.
Get Hail Damage Roof Repair in Jacksonville, FL
In the event of any roof damage as a result of a hail storm, HW Roofing has you covered. With timely, courteous, and thorough service, we offer full roofing services for residents of Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding communities.
To start repairing your roof from hail damage, schedule a free inspection with us today.