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Hailstorms are a frequent phenomenon in Virginia, and they usually result in overt or concealed damage to your roof. Hailstones occasionally severely weaken your roof’s structure, which results in expensive issues like leaks, mold, structural damage, and many others. However, the questions that Virginia residents typically want answers to are, “Do I need a repair after every hailstorm? What are the signs of roof damage that define the need for repairs?”
Let us now start with knowing what constitutes hailstorm damages, or in other words, what are the indications of hailstorm damages.
Early detection of hail damage is critical for avoiding more serious problems. Begin with a general visual check of your roof, gutters, and areas around them to see if you can spot any likely signs of damage. It is usually possible for homeowners to find the damage themselves, but at times, you may require a professional structural engineer to view and detect areas of repair.
Dented Downspouts and Gutters: The metal parts usually have noticeable dents after hailstorms. The dents may impinge upon water movement, resulting in water accumulation and possibly leaks or additional gutter damage.
Granule Loss on Shingles: Granules give shingles their essential protection from UV radiation and weather conditions. Heavy granule loss, evident in your gutters or spread around the perimeter of your home, indicates that your roof’s defence has been breached and must be addressed instantly.
Bruised or Cracked Shingles: Shingles can also have cracks or curled edges, which signify heavy impacts. Bruises, or soft dents, also form below the surface and can possibly let moisture in and degenerate the roof material over time.
Exposed or Fractured Fibreglass Matting: Fibreglass matting under shingles gives the roof its critical structural strength. If hail damages fracture or expose this layer, your roof can be weakened dramatically, putting it at greater risk for severe leaks and structural weakening.
Damaged Flashing or Roof Vents: Metal flashing and vents are most vulnerable to hail damage. Dents and cracks in such components weaken the waterproofing system of the roof, leading to increased chances of leaks and water damage.
Early detection and intervention through regular inspection, particularly after storms, are critical.
But why?
Early detection of damage can help you avoid costly repairs.
Now, let’s proceed to determine the various types of roof damage inflicted by hailstorms.
Bruising happens when hailstones hit shingles without actually breaking them, and they leave dark, soft impressions. At first, bruises may not seem important, but with time, these spots can deteriorate and cause leaks and more damage.
Consequences if left unrepaired: Inadequate repairs of bruised shingles may cause water to slowly enter the roof, resulting in large amounts of mold growth, rotting wood, and structural decay under the roof.
Shingles may develop observable cracks or splits as a result of hail impacts. Cracks instantly expose underlying roofing material and allow easy water penetration. Cracked shingles are worse than bruises since they offer instant channels for moisture.
Consequences if left unrepaired: Undealt-with cracked shingles quickly expedite water damage, leading to leaks, water stains inside buildings, attic mold, and massive structural deterioration.
Granules shield shingles from the sun’s ultraviolet rays and extreme weather. Exposed granule loss following hail storms makes shingles susceptible and significantly reduces their lifespan. Without granules, shingles also become brittle and age faster.
Consequences if left unrepaired: Continued granule loss can soon leave shingles exposed to UV degradation, promote accelerated aging, enhance susceptibility to leaks, and render a roof replacement inevitable.
Severe hailstorms producing large hailstones puncture roofing materials, particularly roofs that are old or already damaged. Punctures provide direct entry points for water and represent one of the worst forms of hail damage.
Consequences if left unrepaired: Punctures provide direct entry for water, which results in extensive interior water damage, extensive mold growth, saturation of insulation, and possible collapse of interior roofing structures if not addressed.
It is important to measure the severity of hail damage in order to plan the right course of action. It should be noted that even minor-looking hail damage may turn into serious issues if left unattended.
Here is a step-by-step guideline to enable homeowners to understand damage severity better:
Moderate damage entails visible loss of granules, bruising that can be seen, localised cracking, and slight damage to flashing or roof vents. These damages, while not necessarily critical in the short term, can develop into more severe roofing issues if not addressed. Moderate damage should be professionally inspected to determine specific repair needs and avoid further degradation.
While you can determine hail damage severity, an expert engineer can inspect your home and provide accurate classifications and specific corrective measures, which protect the durability and strength of your roof.
But how do I know that I require a professional to inspect roof damage?
You will be able to find the answer to this question in the next section.
Homeowners will want to hire professional help when dealing with extensive or heavy hail damage, particularly if it consists of extensive cracking, punctures, or severe granule loss.
Older roofs or roofs with previous weaknesses also need expert examinations since they are more vulnerable to extensive damage. Professionals also offer valuable assistance for insurance claims, providing thorough assessments and easier claims processing.
Finally, hiring a roofing professional guarantees careful assessments, accurate fixations, and enduring shield against more damage, protecting your home and possibly saving you much money in the future.
Although timely inspection is imperative, instant repairs are subject to damage severity. Light damages could be non-urgent but ought to be under steady monitoring. Severe damage requires instant professional maintenance to avoid further damage.
Structuralengineers.com provides unbiased, litigation-ready hail damage assessments backed by licensed expertise and real-world experience.
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