How Hail Damage Affects the health of your Roof

How Hail Damage Affects the Health of Your Roof

Was your home recently in a hailstorm that left your roof with some damage? If so, you need to have a company come out and see how bad the damage is. From the ground, it is easy to think the damage is no big deal. Even from up on the roof, it can appear that the roof damage is minor. However, even minor damage can lead to long-term problems with your roof. Here is what happens, and why fixing your roof right away is the best course of action.

Understanding the Integrity of Asphalt Shingles

The most common roofing material in the United States is asphalt shingles. They come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and thicknesses. They are easy to find and inexpensive to use, making them ideal for the homes of many. However, they all have granules across the top of them to help protect the shingle itself from damage. When a hailstorm hits, the impact sometimes knocks a few of those granules off.

While a few missing granules may not seem like a big deal to you since there is not a hole to your roof, it can mean that it is more prone to future damage. Those granules are there to help protect the roof by protecting the asphalt shingle from taking damage. The impact required to knock those granules off is far more than many people realize. It may take a hailstone hitting the roof at 100 miles per hour or more to remove those granules. That means not only is that area without the granule more susceptible to damage, but the area beneath the missing granules took quite a hit.

The Long-term Health of Your Roof Depends on Proper Maintenance and Repairs

A few missing granules may not do much immediately, but over time, the missing granules can create larger problems. Where the few granules were knocked off during the storm, it broke the integrity of the shingle. This means that the more exposure that shingle had to the elements, the more likely it was to take damage.

Think of it as a windshield on a vehicle. The initial storm put a chip in the windshield, but it did not put a hole in the glass. Over time, the chip spread into a crack and that crack began to grow. Once the crack gets big enough, water will start to seep in whenever it rains and get the passengers wet. Now that is what your roof has the capabilities to do.

The more exposure to water those shingles with missing granules have, the more likely a leak is to develop, which will then wind up in your home. By replacing the missing shingles right away, the chances of developing a leak decrease significantly.

Conclusion

Any time a hailstorm comes through, it has the potential to do damage. If this damage is not repaired, a hailstorm from a few years ago could start causing more trouble any day. Do not take that risk. Instead, reach out to the professionals here at Fire & Hail Restoration today.