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The roofs over our homes and businesses offer security, protection, and comfort from the environment and our surroundings. Funny enough is how we take our roofs for granted until something goes wrong. As soon as that first leak begins it seems all our minds can focus on is the roof. That being said, one of the biggest enemies of our roofs is hail. Hail is more than capable of damaging and destroying the important part of our home. Educating ourselves on ways to detect hail damage and how to repair it can save us all time and money.

While some companies may advertise that their roofing methods are hail proof, experts agree that there is no such thing as a hail proof roof. Some types of roofs are more or less resistant to hail, but there is no such thing as a roof that is 100% immune to hail damage. One of the most common types of residential roofing materials, composite or asphalt shingles, can be damaged by hail, and homeowners should learn how to detect hail damage.

Before a homeowner even begins to examine a roof for hail damage, and preferably long before a hailstorm is encountered, the homeowner will know the insurance company’s policies on hail damage. Different insurance companies have different policies. Some allow for a claim to be filed up to a year after a hailstorm, and some companies do not allow the full year. It is best to know this information before a hailstorm, or at least call the insurance company as soon as possible after the storm.

Hail damage to asphalt shingles can be difficult to detect immediately after a hailstorm. Some people mistakenly believe that if there are no missing shingles there is no damage. That is not always true. While wind is likely to cause missing shingles, the damage from hail is harder to see.

Pay attention during the storm, and if you believe the storm caused any damage to your house take pictures while hail is still on the ground. Having the date present on the photograph can be useful. You should also include a picture of you entire roof in one shot. Never throw these pictures away even if you feel like no damage actually occurred. If problems come up later from the storm, these pictures will be helpful.

The following day, or after the roof has had time to dry and all water has run off the roof, inspect the area near where the gutters drain. Look for an abundance of the granules that cover the asphalt shingles. Every few days the homeowner will need to climb onto the roof and look for weathered areas on the roof. If hail damage has occurred, the hail will have loosened the granules from the asphalt shingles, these areas will begin to take on a weathered look. Photograph these areas.

Once you find evidence of hail damage in the form of weathered hailstone size spots on your shingles, it is time to get a professional opinion concerning detecting and repairing hail to roofs. Many roofing companies offer free inspections. A homeowner can combine a professional’s inspection report with the photographs and submit the material to an insurance company.