When it storms in Omaha, NE, there is often a chance of hail. A golf ball-sized piece of hail can hit your roof along with strong winds, causing substantial harm to its structure. When the storm is over, you’ll want to have your roof inspected for signs of damage. Hail damage can require repairs or the installation of an entirely new roof in some cases. It’s important to work with our team at Emerald Roofing for professional assistance from a knowledgeable team.
How Hail Size Affects Roof Damage
Hail can vary in size, as can its impact. A ball of hail that is less than 1 inch can dislodge pieces of shingles, but a larger ball can leave quite a dent. A 3-inch ball of hail can potentially do quite a bit of damage when it is combined with wind. As the wind pushes the hail harder against your roof, it can leave a large dent and potentially knock off flashing, gutters, or downspouts. In fact, a piece of hail the size of a softball often falls at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.
Spotting Hail Spatter
Not all hail is solid when it reaches your home. Hail spatter refers to slushy precipitation that melts partially as it falls. When these balls hit your roof, they leave behind discolored marks that may not do much damage to the roof’s exterior, but leaks can result. If the hailstone is not dense enough to cause damage, the marks will also oxidize, which weakens the integrity of the roof. Since the spots are unsightly, you may also wish to replace an older roof to get ahead of damage in the future.
Looking for Damage
Once a storm has passed, you’ll want to look around your property to see if you notice damage. Most damage is easy to see with a visual inspection; however, some damage may be difficult to spot. We recommend calling a professional for a storm damage inspection to ensure you account for all damage.
Visible Damage
After a storm, you can check your roof and the surrounding area for signs of damage from hail. You can safely do this from ground level. Let the professionals climb on your roof for you. If you have shingles on your roof, then finding debris in the gutters, downspouts, and along the ground could be a sign of problems.
In addition, check the surface of the roof for small dents. Vent guards are a good place to look for smaller dents because metal dents easily when exposed to hail. The age of your roof will also determine how much damage hail can cause to your home. If your roof is older, the materials may be weaker, making them less durable during a storm.
Not all damage is visible to an untrained eye. For example, individual shingles on a roof can split underneath the surface. When hail hits shingles, the adhesive that keeps them in place on the roof could fail. Even a small amount of damage to a shingle compromises the lifespan of your roof. If you do find cracks or signs of marring, make sure to schedule roof repairs to prevent future concerns. The shingles will continue to experience wear and tear without attention.
Skylights and Vents
Roof vents and skylights are both used to increase ventilation in the home. A storm with heavy wind can dent these features. Most have some type of metal around them, which means dings and damage will be easy to see. However, skylights are not as durable, so chipped or broken parts are possible. Glass skylights can break when hit with a large enough piece of hail, but some have a protective layer of mesh that may keep the underlying glass from breaking.
Gutters and Downspouts
Shingles and other roofing materials are not the only places where damage can occur during a hailstorm. You will also want to check gutters, flashing, and downspouts on your property. Damage can lead to leaks inside your home. If downspout damage occurs, the spout that places water away from the home could break off. This could cause flooding in your basement as well as issues with the foundation of your home.
Flashing is the thin metal material between the chimney and the shingles. It is a protective, waterproof barrier that prevents leaks, but when hail strikes it, cracks and holes can form. When damaged, there is a higher potential for roof leaks. If you spot damage to the flashing, call us for prompt roof repairs.
Leaks and Water Stains
Hail damage is not only found on the exterior of your home. Signs of damage may be inside your living spaces as well. If you find that your ceiling is leaking after a storm or that water stains are present, your roof has damage from the storm. You might also find discoloration from water on walls, especially if water leaks in from the gutters not draining properly.
If you find mold in your attic, this could be a sign that the roof is leaking. If hail has compromised the durability of your roof, mold can even grow under the damaged shingles. Mold grows in damp environments, so if there is a small leak that you did not find, you may find mold in the area. If left unaddressed, the mold can eventually cause structural damage to the roof.
Have a Professional Roofer Assess the Damage
Once you find roof damage, you will want to call a professional roofer to assess the issue further. Early detection of issues will help prevent costly repairs in the future. You also don’t know the extent of the damage to your roof, and a professional will be safer walking on the roof to determine the status of repairs.
Preventing Hail Damage in the Future
If you have an older roof, then damage from hail is more likely. One way that you can protect your home is by upgrading the roof. We suggest using materials like impact-resistant shingles to help protect your home from storms. Because of their enhanced durability, these types of shingles have a lifespan between 30 and 50 years. They are also available in a multitude of colors, so you can match your new shingles to what was previously on your roof.
Another way to get ahead of damage from hailstorms is to schedule regular inspections to maintain your roof. During these inspections, a professional roofer will check the roof for broken shingles and look for cracks that may be below the surface. Most inspections also entail cleaning the gutters. This allows us to see if there are any places where the gutter leaks.
Dependable Roofing Company
At Emerald Roofing, we have storm damage specialists who can inspect your roof to find signs of hail damage. In addition to maintaining your roof, we also provide services to keep your siding and gutters in good shape. We install new roofs as well.
If you have questions about storm damage to your roof or would like to schedule an appointment in Omaha today, contact Emerald Roofing.
