Why Does Hail Damage A Roof

Roofs with multiple shingle layers may be damaged by smaller hail stones due to a softer support surface directly under the top shingle layer.

Why does hail damage a roof.

Those areas of the shingles without the protection of the granules will deteriorate over two to three years creating holes in your shingles. Additionally the age and condition of a roof could affect the degree of damage. Based on the impact hailstones do against asphalt shingles and roofs it is possible the damage looks similar to golf ball divots made on greens and bunkers. This causes the layer underneath to become exposed eventually causing these areas to become brittle and susceptible to leaks.

For example hail can cause dings in aluminum siding gutters or asphalt shingles whereas it can crack vinyl siding or wood shakes. The amount of hail damage to your roof may also be related to the number of shingle layers if you re dealing with a shingled roof. That s why it s always a great idea to have your roofing system checked by a professional after a hailstorm even when there s no apparent damage. The severity of hail damage to a roof depends on several factors including.

Hail is a powerful force of nature that can even damage roofs made with concrete tiles if the stones are large enough and wind speeds are high. Ignoring hail damage on your roof even if it doesn t seem obvious can cost you a lot more in the long run. Asphalt s tough exterior receives only cosmetic damage. Alternatively softball sized hailstones can be dense enough and strong enough to puncture a roof.

The effect on your roof is gradual and it all starts when hail hits your roof and knocks off the protective granule coating of the roof shingles. Hail damage can weaken the roofing material. Gutters are also susceptible to hail damage. Type of roofing materials age of roofing materials roof slope quality of construction as well as hail size hail density and hail shape and the velocity and angle of its fall.

Once hail hits your roof s asphalt shingles the protective granule coating on the impact point gets dislodged from the base material. Hail damage can also be affected by the number of shingle layers on a roof. Because seamless gutters are frequently feature aluminum or copper construction the signs of hail damage include telltale denting. The level of damage and therefore the potential insurance claim also depends on the velocity of the hail the angle of its fall the hail size hail density and hail shape.

Hailstones damage your roof upon impact and when they do the protective mineral granules coating your asphalt shingles are knocked off. Hail hits appear as black colored divots.