Hail is a powerful force of nature capable of inflicting damage upon anything in its path and the most common casualty is the roof of your home. If you live in a state where hail is a common feature of the local weather patterns, then you know how destructive it can be on a roof or covering of a home. Hail storms can bring with them hailstones of varying size and winds of ferocious speeds all of which determine how much damage will be inflicted upon homes and other property.
Tips to Identify Hail Damage
After any hailstorm homeowners should be sure to inspect the roof of their home for any sign of damage. The first step to identifying hail damage is knowing what you are looking at. The more familiar you are with your roof and the material that your home is made from the more you will be able to spot damage that has occurred as a result of hail. By re-inspecting the roof of your home you will know what damage was the direct result of hail as opposed to other common weather factors.
Building materials absorb hail damage and you should be sure to use the best possible materials if your home resides in an area that experiences hailstorms. The most common sign of hail damage is a large number of random dents in the surface of your roof or siding.
Depending on the material of the roof these dents may appear black in color and may be soft to the touch. After a hailstorm, you should inspect the shingles of your roof for splits and broken corners and edges. It is important to know the material that your roof is made from so that you can identify any damage that is a direct result of hail.
In the event that you believe your roof has been damaged by a recent hail storm, you should contact a licensed contractor or insurance agent to assess the damage. Many insurance policies only cover hail if the home is located in a specific state or region and you should be sure to have a policy that is adequate for the weather in your area.