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Hail’s Effects on Roofs and Hail Resistant Roofing Options
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Colorado’s Front Range has the ominous nick name “Hail Alley.” Hail Alley receives the largest hail more frequently than anywhere else in North America and most of the world. Residents in Hail Valley can count on at least three damaging hail storms each year. Hail causes serious property damage each year. In the last decade,hail has caused more than $3 billion in insured damage in Colorado alone.
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Common Types of Roof Damage
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Different roof types come with different signs. Below is a list of common types of damage that your roof can have.
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1. Cracks and tears in roofs with tiling or shingles may break down with the passage of time. The possibility of leaks in the crawlspace or attic can be caused by cracks. Cracks can sometimes not be seen from below. There are cracks that may not be obvious without a close examination.
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2. Hail Damage – If the weather is bad in your area it may be hard to see the hail damage to your roof. There are methods to determine whether there is actual damage to your roof without having to physically climb over your house. Check your gutters for dents and damage. If your gutters were damaged by hail most likely is hail damage to your roof. It is also possible to inspect the drain spouts inside your home. The roof damage can show black mineral deposits around the downspouts.
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3. Wind Damage – The strain levels from wind are higher around the corners of the roof. The force of wind can cause the roof to loosen at the corners. After the roof has been pushed up by wind,it will push the roof down, which exposes its bottom. The rain and hail can get in and the looser the roof is, the more wind is able to grasp it and tear it away. Flying debris is a different type of wind damage. This type of debris can build up or block drain pipes causing flooding.
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4. Debris – Accumulated debris can cause harm to every part of the drainage system on your roof,from the downspouts and gutters to the drain openings. Organic debris,such as leaves can result in fungal growth,or dark brown or black stains on the roof. This kind of debris can create moss that can shorten a roofs life because it holds moisture in the concentrated regions of the roof. The moisture may also freeze depending on where your home is situated.
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Hail Roof Damage – What to Look For
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If you live in a region that is susceptible to hail,then you’ll want to learn how to detect hail roof damage,so you can claim it with your insurance company. It is not easy for a trained eye to easily spot it in a glance. If you know the things to watch out for, then you can go over your roof and have a look at it. If you’ve got a solid notion that you’ve got roof damage caused by hail, you can then contact your insurance company to request their own surveyor,with greater conviction.
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- Vents And Vents
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According to experts,gutter down spouts are a good location to search for evidence of damage. The same is true for vents. It’s an excellent idea to stroll around and take a close inspection of these areas after a hail storm.
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- Granules
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If you own asphalt shingles, what you’d need to look for are asphalt granules which have been removed. You might see the granules in a recently installed roof. What you will need to be on the lookout for is an excess amount,much more than the normal.
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- Dings
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If hail is strong enough that it could create a scratch in our gutters made of metal by cutting them in half, it’s also likely to damage your roof.
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- Walk Your Roof
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Only do this if you feel it is safe. You’re looking for small scratch marks. There shouldn’t be more than one per square foot. The roof must be replaced. Once damaged,moisture can cause your shingles get worse and begin letting the water in your home.
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Causes of Roof Damage
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Your roof is an important part of your house. The roof is susceptible to damage through a myriad of causes that aren’t easily seen. Regular inspections must be conducted by trained professionals who can identify these problems. If the roof is damaged that is not noticed,it can cause greater and more expensive issues to your home over time.
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How to Repair Roof Damage From Storms
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In order to repair damage caused by storms to your roofing,the very first thing to do is identify what’s causing it. It is easy to examine the damage and decide whether you require new support beams or if you are just looking to replace a few shingles. If you have an attic it’s a great idea to go up there and check out whether there is any damage to the structure of the wood. usually there isn’t,but in the case of a severe storm with flying debris and hail there might be an underlying amount of damage.
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Hail Storm Roof Damage FAQs
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Protecting the structural integrity of your roofing system should be a top priority,as it is one of the most important aspects of any fundamental home maintenance and repair agenda. As soon as your roof begins to show signs of damage or reduced performance,it is wise to contact a licensed roofing company who can locate the source of the damage and make any professional repairs or adjustments as needed. The sooner you catch a roof problem and deal with it,the less costly and invasive the repair process will be. This includes professional post-storm inspections to ensure your property is still intact.
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Since most homeowners are not roofing experts,it is common to have a lot of questions and concerns when it comes time to repair a roof. Continue below to read some frequently asked questions about roof repair and replacement to gain a better understanding of your roofing system’s needs after a harsh storm.
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- If There is Only a Small Amount of Damage,Should I Still Repair My Roof?
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Even if you only have a small amount of damage,you must have it repaired to protect the true structural integrity of your roofing system. Neglecting to repair small damages can lead to costlier ones down the line,like water damage.
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- Will My Insurance Carrier Drop Me if I File a Roof Repair Claim?
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Since storm damage is something that is mostly out of your control,it is very unlikely that your homeowners’ insurance carrier will drop your policy. In fact,it is illegal for them to do so in most states. It is possible that there are exceptions to this rule,but in most cases,your policy will not be canceled for filing a storm damage repair claim.
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- Will My Insurance Carrier Increase My Rates if I File a Roof Repair Claim?
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It is common for insurance carriers to raise everyone’s rates across the board after a severe storm or natural disaster. One way to look at this is that you should file a claim for repair since you are already going to help pay for everyone else’s. It is possible that there are exceptions to this rule as well.
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- Why is My New Roof Not Covered By the Manufacturer’s Warranty?
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It is very common for roof product manufacturers to exclude hail repairs in their warranties. In fact,several warranties specifically name hail as a non-covered repair. Keep in mind that newer roofs are more prone to hail damage since they have not yet had ample time to cure and gain resistance against the natural elements. To avoid this problem,talk to a trusted contractor about the affordable hail damage protection options available to you.
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- Do I Have Storm Damage if All My Shingles are Still Intact?
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Missing shingles are not the only indication of storm damage. A storm can cause all sorts of problems for a roof,many of which are undetectable at first glance. For this reason,it is important to understand that your roof may still have been damaged in a severe storm even if it looks like it is in the same condition as before.
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