Hailstorms can damage roofs, even strong roofs! After an intense hailstorm, it’s a good idea to have a professional climb up on your roof and inspect for hail damage. SMC Construction offers this service. Basically, you don’t want a little hail damage to turn into a big roof problem– therefore, catch the problem and fix it quickly before it gets out-of-hand.
Hail damage is sometimes visible and sometimes not– that’s why it’s important to have a professional inspect your roof after a hailstorm rips through town.
What are some things to do if and when hail hits your house?
#1 Clean The Roof By Removing The Debris
A roof with lingering debris on it is more prone to damages than a clean roof. Therefore, you or a professional should remove debris that collects on the roof. This includes things like broken tree branches, bird poop, etc.
#2 Watch Out For Dented Gutters And Downspouts
When inspecting the roof after a hailstorm, look for signs of dented gutters and broken/cracked downspouts. Hailstones are very hard and can have a negative impact on the roof surface and its components. Depending on the size of the hailstones, the severity of the dents or damage might be observed. Sometimes, though, hailstones are very small, so they would not cause any major damage. But if the hailstones are large, they could completely break the gutters as well as downspouts!
#3 You Should Check The Roof Edges And Flashing
When performing a roof inspection after a hailstorm, you should also consider the roof edges and flashing area(s). Due to heavy hailstorms, it is possible that the flashing and roof edges have broken, and this can lead to major issues on the roof. If you observe the slightest crack in the flashing, immediately get it fixed or else the problem could lead to a water leak and structural damage to the roof frame.
The flashing and roof edges help keep the roof sealed; They prevent water or moisture from seeping inside.
#4 Check The Condition Of The Shingles
Usually shingles are the topmost layer of the roof, which provides protection to the roof underlayment and helps in maintaining a comfortable temperature inside the house. During a hailstorm, hailstones can make a dent in the shingles and sometimes granules get washed away. If you observe large dents on the shingles or if there are dark spots on the shingles, then hire professionals to handle the damage as soon as possible.
Summary
Although hailstorms can be really devastating for your roof, you can take immediate measures to ensure that the roof recovers its strength and efficiency back. Ideally, hire professionals who have the knowledge and tools to handle roof issues. SMC Construction can check your roof after a hailstorm and make needed repairs.
