Hail Damage Often Goes Beyond the Surface of Your Roof
Hail is one of the most common sources of damage on your roof, not to mention the rest of your home. Large hail impacting your roof can crack or dislodge shingles, dent flashing, leave dings in your siding, and much more. But while much of this damage may seem merely cosmetic, it’s important for homeowners to understand that hail can impact your roof well beyond the surface.
At Xtreme Exteriors, we often find hail damage on roofs that was left unaddressed for long periods of time simply because the damage didn’t look serious. However, on further inspection, these roofs often have more serious issues due to hail damage that was never repaired. Here in the Midwest, we face powerful storms every year. If you’re met with storm damage this year, here’s why you should complete a repair sooner rather than later.
Common Signs of Hail Damage 
First, let’s take a look at some of the most common signs of hail damage to your roof or home. Following a major hail storm, look for the following:
- Cracked or broken shingles
- Cracked roof tiles
- Dark spots indicating a loss of granules
- Dents to metal components like flashing, vents, or gutters
- Dents or cracks in siding, especially vinyl
- Cracked windows
- Asphalt granules on the ground near your roof line or near downspouts
If you spot these signs of damage, contact a roofing expert right away. Even if you don’t see clear signs of hail damage, it’s a good idea to schedule a roof inspection following any major hail storm to ensure your home escaped unscathed.
Now that we’ve covered the signs of hail damage, let’s look at some of the hidden problems hail damage may cause if left unaddressed.
Your Roof May Be Vulnerable to Leaks
While hail itself is not typically a cause of immediate roof leaks, it can make your roof more susceptible to problems. Roof damage tends to build up over time. If left unchecked, seemingly minor damage to your roof can compound into a major (and expensive) issue.
For example, hail can commonly crack or dislodge roof shingles. When this happens, the protective barrier around the exterior of your roof is compromised. Water can more easily penetrate the surface of your roof and reach crucial components like support beams (which can lead to rot) or insulation (which can lead to mold and mildew).
Given enough time, what may have been addressed by simply replacing a few shingles could become the root cause of a premature roof replacement.
UV Damage Is Another Risk
Sometimes hail damage is less severe. Rather than cracking or dislodging shingles, it may simply wear away at the asphalt granules of your roof’s shingles. No big deal, right?
As it turns out, those granules perform a key role in the overall protection your roof provides. The granules of asphalt shingles help to diffuse and reflect UV rays, which can otherwise cause your roof to deteriorate much faster. If too many of these granules are worn away, your roof will become vulnerable to UV damage, shortening its lifespan.
Potential Insurance Issues
Finally, another lesser-known risk of leaving roof hail damage unaddressed has to do with your insurance coverage. While your homeowners insurance is likely to cover hail damage in some form (check with your provider to be sure), your policy almost certainly has an exception for negligence.
If damage to your home occurs due to your own actions—or inaction—it likely won’t be covered. In other words, if you know your roof was damaged and decide not to repair it, you may not be covered if your roof later develops a leak or other problems that can be traced back to the hail damage.
Remember that roof leaks can also damage the interior of your home. If this happens due to hail damage you never repaired, you may not be covered for that damage either!
Hail Storm? Schedule an Inspection Today
The best way to avoid these issues and keep your home protected is to schedule an inspection immediately following major storms. If storm damage is identified—to your roof or your home—you’ll be able to schedule a prompt repair and resolve the issue quickly, avoiding an expensive roof replacement or problems with your insurance.
As we approach the storm season, remember your roof is your first line of defense. After a storm, schedule an inspection with our experts at Xtreme Exteriors! Our team is standing by to help. Find the location nearest to you:
Nixa, MO | Shawnee, KS | Rogers, AR | Pittsburg, KS | Goodlettsville, TN
