You just recently experienced hail in your area. Now you’re wondering about your roof. How do you know if your roof has experienced damage from hail and what are your next steps? Georgia Roof Advisors provides guidance on how to identify hail damage to your roof. They also offer advice on the necessary steps to take in such situations.
Georgia Thunderstorm Seasons
In Georgia, our peak severe thunderstorm seasons are March, April and May . A secondary peak may occur during months of September and October , but not always. Severe thunderstorms can occur at any time of the day or night. They can also happen during any month of the year.
In Georgia , a typical thunderstorm is about 15 miles in diameter and generally lasts about 30 minutes. However, despite their small size, all thunderstorms are dangerous. When a thunderstorm reaches “severe” limits, it indicates that it has intensified significantly. This intensification results in the production of wind gusts reaching at least 58 miles per hour or hail with a diameter of 1 inch or larger (approximately the size of a quarter). These severe conditions pose increased risks to property and safety.
What is Hail?
As a thunderstorm grows, updrafts will push water droplets into a region of the atmosphere which is below the freezing temperature. These water droplets collide with other droplets just before freezing which is why some hailstones can grow into several inches in diameter.
The stronger the updraft associated with the thunderstorm, the larger the hail associated with the storm will be. The typical size of hail in Georgia is approximately one to two inches in diameter, it is not too difficult to image the damage or injuries can be caused by hail – when you consider that hail may fall at speeds greater than 100 miles per hour.
Asphalt Roof and Hail Damage
On an asphalt roof , hail damage can be hard to spot, especially if you never had to look for it before.
But if your roof has been damaged by hail, your home may be vulnerable to roof leaks or deterioration of shingles or roofing materials.
Please note – inspecting a roof can be dangerous. We do not advise you to get on your roof. Georgia Roof Advisors has the technology and drone tools to be able to do full hail damage roof inspection .
But there are some things you can check quickly that point to roof hail damage:
Around the Home and Yard Inspection
Dented gutters and downspouts: look for dents and dings ono gutters and downspouts. If a hailstorm has struck your area, hail stone impacts will often show up in small dents and dimples in metal gutters and downspouts.
Mailbox damage: look for cracks or holes in plastic mailboxes or dents in metal mailboxes
Hail splatter marks on the driveway: Hailstone impacts may remove dirt, grime, algae from driveway surfaces, indicating sizes and direction of hail fall. Look for splatter marks on your driveway that are lighter than surrounding areas on your driveway and sidewalks.
Damaged sidings : Check your home siding or splatter marks, dents, cracks, paint chips or holes. In heavy storms, this damage will be obvious. But smaller hailstones can cause damage that may point to hail damage on your roof.
Door Dents or Paint Damage: Inspect metal doors for dings or dents or look for chipped paint or stain on wood doors.
Hail Damaged cars in the neighborhood: If cars in the neighborhood sustained hail damage, it’s likely that neighborhood roofs have been damaged as well.
Roof Inspection from the Ground
Blown off shingles: Look for broken bits or loose shingles that may have fallen off around the house and in the yard. Remember, hail is accompanied by high winds.
Water spots or rotted external wood: Look under eaves or porches for signs of water leaking through roof to external wood surfaces. This may point to old hail damage that leaks through shingles.
Granules in Gutters: Hail damage on your roof will cause granules to break loose at the site of each hail stone impact. If you notice shingle granules in your gutters, you may have hail damage on your roof.
Dented roof vents: Roof vents are often made of lightweight metal. Dents in the metal or cracks in the plastic vents often means your roof was hit with heavy hail.
Dented metal flashing/Roof Fascia: Inspect metal flashing around chimney or vents and fascia for dents or dings. These are relatively easy to spot.
Broken or cracked Skylights: Check for cracked or broken glass if your roof has skylights
Dented Chimney Covers: You will need a professional for this. Give Georgia Roof Advisors a call.
Missing shingles: Check the roof for missing shingles or shingle tabs that may have blown off. If you found some on the ground in your yard, they were most likely yours.
Wind Damaged/Loose Shingles : Look for any shingles that are easily pulled up or flapping from the wind.
Hail Hits on Shingles: Hail Hits on shingles may show subtle spots of granule displacement, bruises in shingle surface or holes. If you see dark spots on uniform shingle surfaces or dimpled areas, you most likely have hail damage.
Curling Shingles: Hail damaged shingles may experience curling or stress cracks over time. They age faster than non-damaged shingles. Contact Georgia Roof Advisors for roof inspection.
Metal Roof and Hail Damage
Even though metal roofs are very tough and highly resistant to hail damage. A normal sized hail will not damage your metal roof. Let’s clarify what is considered a “normal sized hail” – that would be a hail that is 1 inch in diameter or smaller. A hail that reaches 2 inches or larger can potentially dent your metal roof
Your Next Step is to Call Your Roofing Company
If you see and have confirmed that your roof has suffered hail damage, then these are your next steps. Call Georgia Roof Advisors to get a full roof inspection and report. In our roof inspection report, you will receive an estimate.
With Georgia Roof Advisors, our experts will sit down with you to review and explain what is in our estimate, our 5-step process and what is covered in our warranty as a GAF Master Elite Contractor .
We will also explain our financing options and accommodate your schedule to find the perfect day to repair or replace your roof. Give us a call us at 678-723-9995!