Hailstorm Crashing On A Roof
Your roof can only take so much hail damage before roof replacement is required. Post-hailstorm damages may need only repairs, but others may require a whole roof overhaul. What do you need to do to make sure your roof survives the storm?
When the storm clears, you need to assess the damage done to your roof. Black-colored hits, granule loss, and soft spots are tell-tale signs of hail’s impact. These hailstorm scars are the most obvious indications that the ice has compromised your roof’s integrity.
The first step should be a professional roof inspection. It can reveal the extent of the damage, and confirm if it is superficial or severe.
Shingles that resemble a bruised apple might be salvageable, but missing shingles, large dents, and broken tiles are not. They may point to the need for roof replacement.
But how much hail damage warrants a new roof? It’s not just about aesthetics or a few missing pieces. The structural integrity of your roof is at stake.
When the damage escalates beyond cosmetic issues, it’s time to consider a full roof replacement. Let’s dive deeper into the signs that your roof demands more than a quick fix.
Significant hail damage shouts for attention. Punctures and torn asphalt shingles are more than surface-level concerns. They are gaping vulnerabilities that invite water and pests into your home.
When the roof decking itself has holes, the situation becomes urgent. Your roof shields your whole house. Without the roof, the house is vulnerable.
If you have wood shingles, they may not fare any better. Severe hail damage could cause splits with sharp corners and edges, coupled with impact marks or dents. Now those are trouble.
The key is to catch these indicators early. It’s the difference between applying a band-aid to a deep wound and undergoing surgery. The former is a temporary solution, while the latter addresses the root problem, ensuring long-term protection and peace of mind.
There comes a tipping point when minor repairs just won’t cut it. To ensure a leak-proof roof, it’s crucial to consider a replacement when minor repairs are insufficient.
This is especially true when the damage compromises the roof’s ability to shield your home from the elements. A few new shingles may temporarily cover the problem, but if the overall structure is weakened, you’re merely postponing the inevitable.
Deciding between patchwork repairs and a full replacement is a balance between cost and longevity. Many homeowners find that investing in a new, sturdy, entire roof brings more than just beauty and satisfaction. It brings peace of mind, knowing that the next hail storm won’t leave your living room and household exposed to the sky.
The size of the hailstones during a storm is a critical factor in the level of destruction they can cause. Hailstones are basically airborne projectiles; the larger they are, the more significant the damage. While smaller hailstones might chip away at older or fragile materials, larger hailstones can puncture metal roofs and shatter shingles easily.
This is why the size of hail is a crucial consideration when assessing roof damage. In the middle of the hailstorm itself, you might already know if a full roof replacement might be needed. If that is the case, begin to plan ahead for your next steps.
Asphalt shingles, for example, are particularly vulnerable to hailstones larger than an inch in diameter. In contrast, clay or concrete tiles may show only minor nicks and cracks after a hail encounter.
At the same time, the weight and impact of the hail damage is not to be underestimated. Even a seemingly intact roof would require an additional inspection.
Hailstones of various sizes, from tiny pellets to golf balls, can leave dents and cracks that lead to leaks and long-term damage. Even their consistency, from hard to crumbly, affects your roof’s damage. The more you know about the storm, the better a decision you can make about the damage.
Just how much will the repair or replacement cost you in damages? We all know the answer is “quite a bit.” The average cost for repairs for hail damage is $4,250. As an average, it is a little on the low side. You might find yourself paying $200 with a sigh of relief, or looking (read: staring) at an invoice of up to $32,500.
Another good range to base your budgeting on is repair cost per square foot. You might be paying $6 per square foot or double, up to $12.50. If you opt for superficial repairs, the cost might be greatly minimized in the first round but blow up in the next maintenance check-in.
The final bill depends on quite a few factors, and it is better to be over-prepared budget-wise instead of optimistic and under-prepared. What do you need to look into when preparing to replace or repair your roof?
Obviously, your costs will vary based on your roofing materials. You might be changing up your materials completely, or going with the current roofing.
Either way, the decision is not simply based on cost or aesthetics. Every well-made roof is designed to protect a home against the elements. Yours should be no exception.
Metal roofing will cost you anything between $925 to $1,900 per square. Clay and concrete tiles may be a little cheaper, between $750 to $1,300 per square. A tempting option is wooden shingles at $700 to $1,100 per square.
Before you jump into the most affordable option, consult and do your research. How long does each kind of roofing material last? Can it survive another hailstorm? Will it cost more in the long run or will it be the best possible investment for your current budget?
Roofing materials will be a large part of your budget, and they are the most visible sections as well. How your roof takes future storm damage and how it appears in the long run will impact both your home’s safety and its value.
Now that you have put aside a tentative budget for roofing materials, let us look at your labor and installation fees. To have your roof replacement done right, you need dependable contractors.
This does not come cheap. The more complex the repair is, the more you want expert contractors on the job.
The right people are worth the investment. An experienced, professional contractor will have knowledge and intuition born of years of practice.
They will notice issues and find solutions that younger contractors may miss. It’s a balance of cost and quality, and in the long run, good quality costs less.
Additional costs will give you more stress than the roof replacement itself. Here are some costs to consider.
You may have a small fund for miscellaneous items, but now that you have a better idea of what these items might be, you might as well begin to get quote estimates. When talking with roofing contractors, always ask about additional fees or materials they may think you need.
Ask for an itemized breakdown if you need to, and browse reviews to see if the contractor hides costs. All this will prepare you for your roof replacement budget.
Insurance paperwork is no joke, but it is what you need to make sure you do not carry the whole roof repair or replacement financially. As soon as you see hail damage to your roof, check if hailstorms are covered by your insurance. That’s step one.
Other steps include:
It is true that basic home insurance tends to cover hail damage to the roof. However, in areas where hailstorms are more common than others, you may find that hailstorm damage is a separate deductible from your insurance. Getting that deductible may seem more expensive at the outset, but why take the risk?
Read up on how your insurance policy operates. Does it return Actual Cash Value (ACV) to you or Replacement Cost Value (RCV)? Either way, whatever your insurance costs, you will inevitably have some out-of-pocket expenses.
How can you file an insurance claim that maximizes your coverage and hopefully saves you a lot in roof repair or replacement?
Review your insurance policy, ideally with the support of your agent or company. The company might have recommended annual roof maintenance inspections.
If it has been more than a year since your last maintenance inspection, that may play into the insurance adjustment. Look into your coverage and all the fine print that tells you if you are actually covered at the end of the day or not.
As long as you are familiar with your policy, you will be better able to negotiate with your insurance company. Even before any kind of hailstorm shows up, it is best to be familiar with your hailstorm coverage and any details that will help your case later down the road.
Do not delay your insurance claim, but do not rush yourself, either. Insurance adjusters need to do their job to prevent insurance fraud just as much as you need to file a thorough claim to get as much return on value as you can.
Do not file your policy on your own. Have a thorough inspection by a roofing contractor to determine which parts of the damage are hailstorm-caused and which are wear-and-tear.
Have all of your warranties and inspection certificates ready. Be prepared to present previous repair receipts to show you have been maintaining your roof.
Filing an insurance claim is not easy, but with enough time and strategy, it will yield what you need to get that roof repair or replacement started.
Your insurance company might be slightly intimidating, but it does not have to be. Be prepared for minor discrepancies between the insurance adjuster’s report and the contractor’s report, but show that you looked beyond surface level damage when applying for insurance.
Above all, make everything easy to spot and find. Have your documents in files, have clear photos taken of any damage or weakening, and assure the insurance company that you have done your homework and they can take it easy.
What is the difference between Replacement Cost Value (RCV) and Actual Cash Value (ACV)? An RCV policy covers the full cost of a roof replacement that uses the same materials as your damaged roof. In other words, you practically get a new roof with much less cash cost to yourself.
On the other hand, an ACV policy considers that your roof, if not new, has depreciated over time. In other words, its value today is not the same as the value it had when it was newly built. The policy will then only yield your actual roof cost, depreciation and all.
However, because you are still covering the replacement of a whole roof, your out-of-pocket expenses may still be substantial. Before making any claims, review your policy to see if it is an RCV or ACV in kind.
Your roof replacement plans are in full swing. Now what?
It’s time to choose your roofing materials and select a roofing contractor. It might benefit you to have that the other way around; choose a contractor and figure out the best way forward together.
There are some contractors who reach out directly after calamities. They may seem perfect in the moment, but don’t make any agreements just yet. Vet them as carefully as you would any other contractor.
The other issue you have, of course, is the timing of the roof replacement. Is the weather ideal for you to open up your whole roof? Is there anything going on at home or in your daily life that will force you to delay repairs?
Allow the contractors to suggest the best materials for your roof replacement, but research about them so you understand their guidance. With the right team and materials, you can not only repair or replace your roof but also enhance its strength against future hail attacks.
Let’s explore how to make choices that ensure your roof’s resilience for years to come.
Now that the hailstorm has struck, you will want to make all of your future roofing decisions with hailstorms in mind. In this case, your current roof damage will tell you just how ready your roof was to protect your home in real-time.
If your roof suffered more damage than you expected, you might want to switch up the materials to ensure your home is more protected. Composite roofing with a Class 4 impact rating, for example, can help your home stand up to hail.
With carefully layered materials, your roof would be able to take a storm with minimal cracking, little to no leaking, and a minimum of granule loss. After all, you don’t want another whole replacement so soon after a recent storm.
Heavy wooden shakes and 30-year laminated shingles can take a lot of damage. Even larger hailstones would have a hard time breaching that kind of roof.
If durability and weatherproofing are more important to you than aesthetics, then composite roofing might be what you are looking for. It protects your home, stands up to the elements, and saves you energy.
Composite roofing may not be as attractive as more traditional options, but it might preserve your home for a longer time to come. Consider your long-term plans when it comes to choosing your roofing options.
Never get your roofing materials without warranties. Warranties will help you with repairs in the short-term and long-term. Make sure your contractor’s services come with warranties as well.
Never make any final decisions about your roofing materials without consulting a contractor first. They have a pretty good idea of what your roof will need to stand up to in your area. Do your own research, get expert opinions, and plan for a roof that will last you a lifetime.
The right contractor is everything when it comes to roof replacement. Ask detailed questions, don’t be afraid to deep-dive into reviews, and look into their past work. Roof replacement is a large inconvenience without having to deal with an additional difficult contractor.
Do not skimp on costs if you can help it. Roofing issues begin with poor quality materials and craftsmanship. Lessen upfront costs if you can through free estimates, but don’t hold back on the actual repair.
Only licensed roofing contractors tend to be covered by insurance policies, so you will want to have that credibility when facing your insurance company. The right contractor will understand your priorities for your home and help you achieve them.
Timing is everything when planning for roof replacement. Schedule the work thoughtfully, considering a time that minimizes inconvenience and the risk of further damage, rather than rushing into repairs with the first available contractor. Choosing the optimal time for replacement can be challenging, but it’s essential. Otherwise, you risk inconveniencing yourself or your family even more and for longer.
Consider the season, weather patterns, and your personal schedule when planning the timing of your roof replacement. You want to avoid the peak storm season to prevent further damage during the replacement process and choose a time that fits your daily rhythm, ensuring that the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible. A strategic approach to scheduling will not only save you from additional headaches but also ensure the longevity and effectiveness of your new roof.
Now that you have replaced your roof and peace of mind has returned, it’s time to make sure you do everything in your power to prevent that same kind of headache from occurring ever again. What preventative measures can you take?
Start with regular roof inspections and maintenance. If this is something you have already been doing, keep it up! If it’s something you let lapse once in a while, you might want to go back to timely inspections and repairs.
Stay knowledgeable about any new technology or materials that might make your roof even more hail-resistant. See about installing them before the next hailstorm season.
The more your roof is ready to receive a storm, the less damage you will need to repair in the long run. You can be secure in the safety of your own home.
Let’s see how regular maintenance and the right materials can protect your home from storms both predictable and unpredictable.
The cornerstone of preventing future hail damage is regular roof inspections and maintenance. Professional roof inspections are highly recommended as contractors usually offer free assessments and are trained to identify hail damage safely.
Routine checkups include evaluating existing shingles. Contractors will look for any signs of curling, any missing sections, any cracks. Metal panels are checked for any rusting, warping, or damage.
You may want to invest in a roof maintenance program. It should provide you with yearly checkups and any minor repairs. The cost ranges from $500 to $2,000 annually. Not a bad price to make sure your roof lasts as long as it possibly can.
Regular inspections prevent any potential issues before they escalate in any way. They may seem like a pain, especially when the reports show that your roof is healthy, but they will save your wallet in the aftermath of a storm.
What roofing materials are the most hail-resistant?
are the best materials to stand against hail. Give yourself some peace of mind during storm season.
Newer-style shingles include rubber or composite shingles, resilient metal panels, and stone-coated steel tiles. They become a literal shield for your home against hail.
Metal roofs in particular have a solid resistance to hail damage, and do not shatter, crack, or weather away in the same way a traditional shingle roof would. See if this would be your best option for your roof replacement.
The less damage your roof takes in a storm, the less nerve-wracking insurance claims become. You may be paying more for resilient roofing materials, but you will pay much less in the long run in money, time, and security.
We looked at how hail damages roofs and when to consider replacement. We talked about roofing materials, finding the right contractor, and navigating insurance claims. Most importantly, we point out a very simple truth: the right prevention removes the need for a costly cure.
Your roof is more than just a pretty topping to your home. It keeps you and all of your things safe from heavy weather. When you take care of your roof, it will fully protect you against most storms in your area.
Significant hail damage requires a roof replacement. Your roofing contractor can let you know what is required, what initial repairs you might want to do, and if a total roof replacement is unavoidable.
The good thing about significant hail damage is that it is usually impossible to miss. Dents, crumbling, chunks missing, hollow sections, missing shingles, and full punctures usually shout their presence. Have your roof inspected as soon as possible.
Your repair will cost an average of $4,250, with total costs ranging from $1,000 to $32,500. Get detailed quotes and resist any hidden costs from contractors.
Vet potential contractors by reading reviews, inquiring with them, and asking for proof of certification or licensure. Avoid quick-fix contractors.
Begin with prevention. Review your insurance policy to make sure you do everything in line with their requirements. Have your roof regularly inspected, and get professional contractors to look at it from the outset.
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