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Why Is Hail Damage Bad for a Roof

Every winter, hail damage, costs Minneapolis residents millions of dollars in damages. If there was a way to count all of the damages that occur after hail damage goes undetected or is allowed to worsen over time, the costs would be even higher.

While most people aren’t trained to climb on a roof safely and inspect for damages, we wanted to answer the question, “Why is Hail Damage Bad for a Roof?” to educate you about some of the long term damages that hail damaged roofs can cause, and give you some easy roof hail damage inspection tips so that you can protect your home if you believe that you may have been the victim of hail damage.

So, Why Is Hail Damage Bad for a Roof?

Most of the time, signs of hail damage are very easy to detect. Broken windows, dents on your car or truck, damages to your garage door or patio area, etc… But your roof takes on the brunt of the beating when a severe storm hits, and some of the damage can be hard to spot; even unnoticeable from the ground.

The problem is, that these unnoticeable damages can lead to latent damages months or even years down the road like; pre-mature aging, leaks in your roof, water damage to your roof deck, walls, and ceilings, and eventually cause mold problems and health problems over time.

That’s not even counting the fact that having your roofing system’s integrity compromised can cost you money in energy costs because it leads to areas of uneven insulation on your roof’s surface.

Even if there are no visible signs of roof hail damage from the ground like shingle pieces in your yard, peeling or broken shingles, or holes in your roof from a recent hail storm, you should still have a trained professional check for damages to your roof.

Ways that Hail Can Damage Your Roof and Home

• Roofing System Damage – Hail damage to your roof weakens the integrity of your roofing system – Especially asphalt shingles. Unnoticed or untreated hail damage can lead to premature aging of your shingles, and damages to your Granule loss at points of impact and/or surface depression.
• Damage to Asphalt Shingles – Cracks in the granule-asphalt coating are areas of exposed fiberglass mat, fractures in the fiberglass mat, or loosening of the self-seal strip on your shingles, which is one of the main components that make your roofing system function properly.
• Water Buildup and Rust – Water can build-up in your attic if small leaks are undetected, damaging anything that you have stored in the attic, and eventually leading to insulation, wall, ceiling, and even structural damage.
• Insulation Damage – Whether you have fiberglass insulation or blown-in cellulose loose-fill insulation, water damages are not good for your insulation. Water saturated insulation loses at least 40% of its insulating R-value, degrading, it’s thermal resistance properties and taking away it’s the primary function of inhibiting heat transfer.
• HVAC Damage – Moisture from a roof leak can seep into the vents and ducts of your HVAC system through cracked seams found around the HVAC support platform or seams,
• Ceiling and Wall Damage – Moisture that gets into your attic through leaks in the roof can damage your ceilings and walls.
• Mold and Mildew – In high moisture areas, mold and mildew can quickly grow and become a problem. Black mold can spread through your home and into your HVAC system, vents, wood framing, walls, and ceiling tiles, and even floors. Mold and mildew also can cause health issues like; nasal congestion, rhinitis, inflammation, and asthma.
• Electrical System Damage – Moisture can get into your electrical system, putting your appliances and other electronics at risk.
• Fire Hazards – Moisture can enter the electrical system and cause fire hazards.

How Can I Protect My Roof from Hail Damage?

Even though your roof is your first line of defense against the harsh winter elements, and roofing systems are designed to protect you from impact resistance and other environmental factors, nothing lasts forever. However, there are a few things that you can do to ensure that your roof is as prepared as possible to withstand the winter beatings from hail in Minneapolis…

• Know the Facts – When most homeowners make a decision about the type of roof that they want to be installed, most of them are unaware that they are deciding on something that will affect their roof’s performance. But according to this study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, (IBHS) some impact-resistant shingles perform better than others. In this study, ATLAS StormMaster® Shake shingles were the most resistant to impact damages caused by hail.
• Hire a Reputable Contractor – Hiring a reputable contractor will ensure that your roof is installed correctly and you get the most protection possible for your home. Sellers Roofing Company – New Brighton has over 12 years vested in the roofing business. Click any of the buttons on our website to set up your free assessment!
• Take Damages Seriously – If you think that your roof may be damaged by a recent hail storm, have a professional storm damage expert inspect your roof for signs of damage. One of the worst things that you could do is assume everything is ok when it comes to your home’s protection.

What to Do if Your Roof is Damaged

The first thing you should do if you believe that your roof may have suffered damages from a recent hail storm is to inspect for damages. If you don’t feel comfortable inspecting the roof by yourself, we are always only a call away, and our advice is always free.

If you do attempt to inspect for roof hail damages on your own, check out this What to Do After Storm Damage post we did and download a copy of our roof hail damage inspection checklist so you don’t forget anything.

After your damages are all documented, go over your insurance policy and then call your agent and report the damages immediately. You will need to contact your roofing contractor as well, so that they can assess the damages and give you a timeline

Why Is Hail Damage Bad for a Roof? – Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this post has answered your question, “Why is hail damage bad for a roof?” and given you some tips on how to inspect for damages in case you believe you have been a victim of roof hail damage. If you are unsure whether or not your roof has been hit by a recent hail storm, or you have any questions for us about an upcoming project, click the button below or call us at 651 703 2336 during normal business hours to have a specialist come out at your convenience and discuss your project with you!

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