Hailstorms can be tough on your roof, causing anything from small dents to serious injury. When hailstones hit, they can crack shingles, break through layers, and even lead to leaks.
If you’ve been through a thunderstorm recently, you need to have your roof inspected. At HT Roofing & Construction in Lenexa, KS, we can help you check out the damage and decide what the best course of action is to protect your home.
Hail Damage on Your Roof
Hailstorms are not only loud and intense, but they can also do lasting harm to your roofing. When hailstones hit your roof, they can cause immediate and sometimes hidden damage that might not be obvious right away. Larger hailstones, often the size of a golf ball or bigger, can cause significant problems, especially if they fall with high velocity.
The impact of hail can damage roofing materials like asphalt shingles, tiles, or even metal roofs. With asphalt shingles, the protective granules that help shield the roof from UV rays can be knocked off. This leaves the shingles exposed to the sun, causing them to wear out faster. In some cases, the hailstones can cause dents or cracks in the shingles themselves. These injuries might seem small at first, but over time, they can lead to leaks and other serious problems.
In addition to visible damage, hail can also impact the structure of your roof. When the shingles are harmed, the underlying materials like wood or felt paper could also be affected, causing weakening. The more severe the damage, the higher the chance that water will go through your roof and get into your home. So, while hail might seem like a passing storm, the effects on your roof can be long-lasting.
How to Repair Hail Damage to Your Roof
If you think hail has harmed your roof, the first thing you should do is get a professional inspection. Repairing hail damage often involves replacing or patching up damaged shingles. If you have asphalt shingles, you should replace the entire compromised shingle or a few of them, depending on the extent of the damage. If you find significant granule loss, it might be necessary to replace more shingles to maintain your roof’s protection.
Damage from hail can sometimes be fixed by applying a roof sealant to the affected areas. This can prevent water from seeping in and help protect your roof from further degradation until you can schedule a more thorough repair. For more severe damage, your roofing professional may recommend replacing the affected sections of your roof entirely.
Metal roofs, which are often more durable than asphalt shingles, can also be dented by hail. In some cases, these dents are purely cosmetic and don’t affect the roof’s performance. However, if the hail is large enough to cause cracking or bending of the metal, that section might need to be replaced. If your metal roof is more than a few years old, consider consulting a professional to ensure it’s still structurally sound.
It’s easy to overlook hail damage right after a storm, especially if you don’t see any immediate leaks or visible issues. However, even small injuries can worsen over time, leading to more significant problems down the road. It costs more to fix hail damage later, and it’s more likely that water will find its way into your home, causing structural problems and potentially leading to costly repairs.
Preventing Future Hail Damage
Although it’s not always possible to avoid hailstorms, you can lessen the effect by taking certain steps to prepare your roof. One option is to consider upgrading to roofing materials that last a long time and are less susceptible to hail damage. For example, metal roofing, while initially more expensive, is much more resistant to hail than asphalt shingles. Impact-resistant shingles are also made to handle worse weather, so they protect your home more during hailstorms.
Lastly, make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear and properly maintained. After a hailstorm, debris can block the flow of water, which can lead to water backing up onto the roof and potentially causing more problems. Regularly cleaning your gutters can help water flow off your roof as it’s meant to and avoid additional complications.
Professional Roof Inspection
After a hailstorm, it’s important to take quick action to assess the damage and prevent further issues. Don’t wait for small problems to become big ones. Our professionals at HT Roofing & Construction can fix or replace your roof. We also handle gutters, siding, and storm damage restoration. Contact us at HT Roofing & Construction today to schedule a roof inspection and make sure your home in Lenexa stays safe and secure.
