Signature Exteriors

Waxhaw Local Roofing Company

How to Prepare for Hail Damage on Your Roof

hail damage on roof

If you live in an area that frequently experiences severe weather storms, it’s essential to know how to prepare for hail damage on your roof. Roofing shingles are your home’s first line of defense against storms, and although they typically do a great job, age, size of hail, and the frequency of storms will eventually cause them to fail.

While hail storms often seem quick, even small hailstones can cause significant damage to a roof. Hail will damage shingles and create minor dents, fractures, or cracks around the roofing system. As a result, sudden roof leaks can occur. About 3,000 hail storms arise every year in the US, causing billions of dollars in damage. There have been over 130 severe weather warnings in Charlotte alone in the last year. Use services such as Interactive Hail Maps to stay up-to-date on hail in the area and use it to prepare for storms that can cause hail damage to your roof.

This guide’s goal is to provide you with expert advice from a local roofing contractor on how you should best prepare for hailstorms and their related damage, whether you are a local Charlotte resident or located elsewhere.

Prepare Your Home Before The Storm

  • Know and understand what your insurance carrier will cover and what your deductible is: A typical homeowner’s insurance policy will cover some, if not all, of the cost to repair or replace your roof, windows, and decks that are damaged by a hail storm. You can also get a specific policy for hail damage that will offer more extensive coverage. You want to ensure that your policy includes replacement cost value (RCV) and look into having a code endorsement on your policy, which will pay for all required codes based on your municipality and current code standards. Talk to your insurance agent for more information and to better understand your policy.
  • Keep shrubs and bushes around your home trimmed: Especially shrubs or bushes next to your window. Even though your shrubs and bushes are not likely to come out of the ground during a hail storm, the branches can potentially hit and crack your windows. Those branches could also damage siding or damage shingles along the eave and rakes. Proper trimming is necessary to prevent exterior damage during a wind or hail storm.
  • Keep your gutters clean and in working order: Routine roof maintenance includes the upkeep of your gutters and downspouts. You always want to ensure proper drainage before a significant storm.
  • Ensure any fences on your property are secure:  Make sure each fence post is tightly secured as the posts could be lifted and thrown against your home during heavy winds.
  • Inspect your roof before a predicted hail storm:  Be sure to inspect your roof either by getting on the roof or using binoculars from the ground. You will want to note any previous damage to the roof to determine the damage caused by the impending hail storm accurately. If you have an older roof, we recommended having a professional come out and perform a roof inspection before the beginning of hail season to find out if you require a roof replacement. A newer roof will withstand a hailstorm much better than an older roof.
  • Document any damage seen on your roof: This will give you a better idea of what damages the hailstorm caused.

Look for Damage After the Storm

  • Check for hail damage on your roof: If you notice any damage to your roof after a hail storm, report it to your insurance company as soon as possible, as you should have hail damage inspected right away. If you do not have it inspected and there is damage, an easy fix can turn into a costly repair. Photograph any damage seen as this could benefit you if you plan to file an insurance claim.
    Contact Signature ExteriorsWe are a Charlotte roofing contractor specializing in residential roofing and storm damage claims. Our team is happy to come out and perform a roof inspection to check for hail damage and provide roof repair estimates if warranted. We offer assistance throughout the claims process to ensure your hail damage claim is processed quickly, thoroughly, and fairly! Call us today at (704) 729-4898 or click below to schedule an appointment!

Signature Exteriors Charlotte Roofing Contractor