Texas storms are legendary. The big, wide skies have a lot of room for brutal storm systems, and it’s a given that you’re going to see some hail throughout the year. When that happens, your roof is going to be at risk of getting hurt. If you’re wondering whether or not your roof is OK, you need some tips to help you ascertain the situation.
Signs of Hail Damage
If there was any hail at all, there’s a risk that your roof sustained damage. Knowing a few quick and easy checks can go a long way. You can verify that the roof is fine, or you’ll get an early warning that it needs some attention.
Check the Gutters
Shingles don’t always show the damage they’ve sustained. Gutters (especially aluminum gutters) dent more easily. If they are dinged and askew, you know the storm was severe, and there’s a chance it impacted the whole roof. Your downspouts will tell you just as much as the gutters.
A secondary gutter check will give you additional valuable information. When shingles take a lot of abuse, the granules come loose and fall into the gutters. You can get a ladder and look in the gutters. If you see a lot of shingle gravel in there, you might have a problem.
Look for the Obvious Signs
There’s a chance you already have a feel for this, but it’s worth covering. Sometimes roof damage is very obvious. If you look at the roof and see things you don’t like, you don’t need to bother with a detailed self-inspection. You can skip straight to calling a roofer.
Obvious damage includes shingles strewn across the yard, clear gaps in the top roofing material, holes where the sun shines through, and leaks in the roof. If you know there’s a problem, there’s little need to check the gutters for shingle granules. Get your roof the help it needs.
Check the Shingles
Still, if you’re not sure, these other checks can help you get a feel for the state of your roof. Worn shingles will put granules in the gutters, as mentioned, and that means the absence of granules on the shingles will be visible. In this case, you will see bruising on the shingles where the bald spots occur. That’s a sign that you need a professional roof inspection.
You might also see impact marks. Shingles can dent, and when it’s less obvious, the denting will look like black dots.
There is one other thing to check in regards to your shingles. Hailstorms are impossible without high winds. Many times, the wind of a hailstorm is worse than the hail itself. Because of that, you want to look for tears in the shingles or splits that identify the wind damage.
Get an Inspection
If the storm was big, a pro inspection is a good idea, even if you can’t spot clear signs of damage. Check with your insurance company. There’s a good chance an inspection is covered. The insurance company will likely want a professional quote for an insurance claim anyway, so this allows you to consolidate your efforts.
Getting Damage Fixed
So, you found signs of damage. It’s not the best news, but it’s a manageable problem. You need to go through the essential steps to get it fixed. Once you do, you won’t have to worry about storms for a while. The good thing about roofing work is that it tends to last.
Talk to Your Insurance Company
The insurance agent will want ways to document the damage. Pictures are your best friend for this, and they can even walk you through the best practices for getting the pictures they want to have on file. Speaking of filing, the insurance company has its own process to go through. It’s easiest to just give them what they want to get through the steps. This might mean getting quotes for repairs from multiple contractors.
It’s all part of the dance. Once you get through the insurance part, you’ll know how much they’re covering, and that lets you make informed decisions about fixing the roof.
Shop Contractors
You already had to get quotes. You should have a good idea about the extent of the damage and whether you need a simple repair or a new roof. Take the time to compare prices. Check out the business credentials of the contractors you like. Do your homework to find a roofer you want to work on your home.
Fix the Roof
The last step is getting the roof fixed. Once you pull the trigger, the process usually goes fairly quickly. Your house will be crowded and noisy for a couple of days (in a worst-case scenario), but then you’ll have a fixed roof and no worries about things falling on your head. You don’t have to be your own roofing expert. If at any point in this process you want professional advice or a trusted roofer, contact Alpine Roofing Construction. We’ll be happy to assist you and get your roof back in working order. Call us today at 214-272-2679.