Hail Damaged Roof? Here’s What to Do Next

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, hail causes about $1.07 billion in property damage in the United States every year.

This means it’s worth knowing what to do if you’ve been affected by extreme weather like hailstorms, and how to deal with issues such as a hail damaged roof.

What should I do if my roof has been damaged by hail? How much hail damage to replace roof? Read our guide to find answers to these questions. You’ll discover what to do straight after a hailstorm and how to work with your insurance company and contractor on your hail damaged roof repair.

You’ll also learn to distinguish between a roof repair and roof replacement and learn tips on preventing future hail damage.

This information will give you the confidence to act swiftly after hail damage, so that hail damage, roof replacement or repairs are carried out in a timely manner to make your property safe and comfortable.

Immediate roof actions after a hailstorm

Unless you’ve experienced large-sized hailstones it can be difficult to spot areas of damage. Be sure to give your property a thorough inspection to find any less obvious signs of damage and assess roof hail damage repairs.

If you suspect hail damage roof inspection can be done from the ground. Look for the following signs of hail damage to roof:

• Loss of granules. The layer of granules on top of your roof shingles keeps them protected and weatherproof. If you see changes to the color or texture of your shingles or different-colored spots, it’s likely you’ve lost some of your granules.
• Dents or cracks. Hail can impact your roof with enough force to cause dents or cracks, especially if there have also been high winds. You should be able to spot these fairly easily, even from ground level.
• Discolored shingles. You may notice different colored dots or areas on your roof shingles where there has been hail damage to roof and the granules have worn away.
• Warped shingles. Roof shingles may appear warped where water has seeped underneath. This leakage may spread inside your property, causing further issues.
• Water spots on your ceilings. Water stains on your ceilings or in the attic are also a sure sign of a hail damaged roof.
• Flashing damage. Flashing is the protective metal that stops water from getting into your home at intersections, chimneys, and vents. Cracked, damaged, or missing flashing can be a sign of hail damage.
• Missing shingles. A combination of shingles and high winds can dislodge your shingles or cause them to blow away.

Don’t attempt to climb onto your roof using a ladder or other equipment. If you’re unsure about how to spot hail damage, reach out to us here at Plum ProExteriors. We can safely inspect your roof and work with you on a hail damage roof repair or replacement quote.

Once you’ve identified any damage, take a photo or video to capture the details. Take an assortment of close-up and wide-angle images or videos to show the full extent of the damage.

Make notes about your findings. Remember to jot down the time and date of inspection and details about the exact location of any affected areas.

Gather any damaged items. These may include shingles that have come off your roof or sections of guttering that have become dislodged. These are useful items of evidence for your insurance claim.

Contacting your insurance company

Now that you’ve identified any hail damage roof repair or replacement should be negotiated with your insurance company.

Before you reach out to them, it’s worth reading through your insurance policy to understand what kind of cover you have—Actual Cash Value (ACV) or Replacement Cost Value (RCV).

With ACV, you’ll get compensated to the level of your roof’s current value. This usually won’t cover the entire cost of hail damage roof replacement, so you’ll need to fund the difference yourself.

On the other hand, RCV means that you should get an amount that will allow you to cover the cost of an entirely new roof, if required.

You should also check out the figure quoted in your policy for the deductible. This is the amount that you will need to pay yourself before your insurance company covers the rest of your claim.

Contact your insurance company as soon as you can after identifying and recording hail damage. You should be aware that there will be a fixed time limit after the damage has been done for you to make your claim. Most often, it’s one year from the adverse weather event but do check your policy as this period may differ between companies.

Have your notes on hand when you make the call, so you can give your insurance company as much information as possible at the time of making your hail damage roof repair or replacement claim.

Working with your insurance company and the contractor

The next step in the process of settling your claim is an inspection by your insurance company’s adjuster. Arrange this for a time when you are going to be at home—you should be available to show them all the areas of hail damage on roof.

In some cases, your insurance company will ask you to reach out to a local roofing contractor to arrange for them to make an inspection and file a report.

Be aware that it’s still the adjuster who will make the final decision about whether the insurance company should honor your claim and how much it should be.

When your insurance company approves your claim, it’s time to appoint an experienced and reliable contractor to repair or replace your roof.

A roofing contractor you can trust

That’s where the team at Plum ProExteriors comes in. We’ll work closely with you and your insurance company to first of all assess your roof repair hail damage, and then work out whether you need a full roof replacement.

Our strength is customer service, which means we’ll keep you informed every step of the way, giving you clear timelines for the work that needs to be done.

With our many years of experience, attention to detail, and emphasis on quality workmanship, you can rest assured that your roof will be in good hands!

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out some of these five-star reviews from our satisfied customers:

1. “Yuk and his team did a wonderful job with our siding, roof and windows. From the very first meeting through the whole project, Yuk and his team have been caring, professional, and respectful. The communication and transparency were outstanding, reflecting their confidence in the quality of their work and their respect for their clients.” – Nancy Lee

2. “Yuk and his team did a complete redo of the house exterior including roof and siding. The team was responsive and the job completed quickly. They were attentive to the details and did a great job. Very happy with the results.” – Aaron Richman

3. “It has been an absolute pleasure working with Plum ProExteriors from the very first day. Yuk is very professional and knowledgeable, absolutely meticulous about every aspect of the project, maintains transparency throughout the project, has excellent communication skills, very well organized with paperwork, respectful towards his clients’ thoughts.” – Preeti Potdar

To know more about what we do, check out our photo gallery to see examples of our work.

If you’ve experienced hail damage, turn to Plum ProExteriors to repair or replace your roof. We’re here to talk you through the process and provide the best solution for your roofing needs. 

Roof repair or replacement?

After severe weather, you may be wondering how much hail damage to replace roof. Knowing whether to get a whole new roof after hail damage or simply make repairs can be a tough call.

If the damage is limited to a small area or is only superficial, then a repair will probably suffice.  In case the roof replacement hail damage is more than around 30 percent of your roof’s area could mean that a completely new roof is best. 

You should also think about the condition and age of your roof before the damage occurred. If it was older or in poor condition, then it might be time to get a whole new roof.

However, if you’ve recently replaced your roof or it’s in a reasonable state, then you may only need a repair.

The best way to determine whether you need a full replacement or can get away with a repair is by calling the experts. A professional roofing company like Plum ProExteriors can inspect and assess the damage and advise you on the way forward with your roofing material. 

Preventing future hail damage

We all know that prevention is better than cure. Nothing could be truer when it comes to your roof repair hail damage, and roof replacement. To avoid damage in future heavy weather and extend the roof life, follow our tips:

• Consider having impact-resistant shingles fitted. These are reinforced shingles that are more durable in weather events such as hailstorms. While they are a little more costly than regular shingles, your investment will pay off in the long-term by preventing costly damage.
• Get a hail-resistant roof coating fitted. This forms a protective layer on your roof’s surface to protect against hail damage. 
• Trim back any trees or branches that hang over your roof. They could further damage your roof during a hailstorm, particularly when combined with high winds.

Let Plum ProExteriors help!

Experiencing extreme weather conditions that could result in damage to your property can be a cause for concern. But if you already know how to identify hail damage and what to do after a storm, you should feel more confident about the next steps.

We hope you’ve learnt a lot by reading our guide. Our experts know how much hail damage to replace roof and have all the required skills to assist you. Here at Plum ProExteriors, we’re here to help guide you through the process and achieve the best result for your roof – give us a call!