Does My Roof Have Hail Damage?

Thankfully, we don’t get an abundance of hail in West Michigan, but that doesn’t mean we’re immune. If your home or business has recently endured a hailstorm, it’s a good idea to check your shingles to make sure everything is as it should be.

You don’t have to wait for hail, either. While you’re doing your pre-winter gutter cleaning [link to gutter cleaning blog], look around for signs of all types of damage, including hail. Maybe your home was pelted before you moved in or while you were on vacation and you never knew. It doesn’t hurt to check, as spotting potential issues early will save you time and money later.

Signs of Hail Damage

One of easiest signs of hail damage you can see right away are dents in metal surfaces. Look at your gutters, flashing, downspouts and even your siding. If you have metal ridge caps or valleys, check those as well. If you see a number of dents in any of these areas, it’s likely the hail wasn’t kind to your shingles, either.

Take a closer look at your shingles, specifically searching for cracking, bruising or missing granules.

Cracking is probably the easiest to see right away and is just as it sounds: your shingles are cracked. If the cracks are circular, it’s a good indication hail was the culprit. Cracks can happen for a number of reasons, including hail, but one thing is certain if you find cracked shingles: your roof needs repair.

Bruising is less obvious and you might need to feel the shingles to get a better idea of how severe the issue might be. Shingle bruises look like dimples and don’t necessarily require maintenance if they’re small enough. If they’re large, though (possibly even leading to the appearance of bubbles throughout your roof), or if they give a bit when you press on them, you’ll want an experienced roofer to take a look as your shingles may be starting to decay.

Missing granules is another issue that can be caused by a number of things and is a clear sign your roof needs repair. Hail can knock granules off your shingles and leave the roofing exposed which, if not addressed, can lead to further problems in the future.

What to Do if You Have Hail Damage

If you find any of these symptoms on your roof, whether due to hail or other causes, we recommend you contact a licensed roofer to give your roof an expert inspection. These types of issues can appear small at first but, if left unattended, can lead to much bigger (and more expensive) problems.

Please contact us at any time with questions about your roof or to have us out to take a look.