Last year was record-breaking for its disastrous rain and hail in all of Canada, especially in Calgary. In June, the vicious and dangerous hailstorm damaged more cars than the locals in the Alberta region buy in an entire year. In various regions of Canada, hail is a significant hazard causing damage to residential property, commercial infrastructure, and crops.
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2020 storms caused an estimated 1.2 billion dollars in insurable damages making it a busy year for Calgary roofers and insurance claim specialists alike. It was dubbed the most expensive hailstorm in Canadian history. The costs associated with damage due to hailstorms can significantly add up because hail affects everything that is outside and not protected, especially your residential roof and outer walls.
While some hail damage signs can be easily detected, others are too small and unnoticeable requiring a trained eye to spot them. Even if your roof doesn’t have obvious signs of hail damage, you should still get a roof inspection done. Contact your local roofing company for your roof inspection to estimate the damage and how to proceed further with repairs and claims.
This article contains information about signs of hail damage that require repairs.
What To Look For On Your Roof
Clogged Gutters
Granules of your roof shingle are like sandpaper. And large hailstones can break them off and land in the gutters. Your roof’s asphalt coating is exposed to the natural elements when a shingle loses granules, which leads to accelerated aging. Look for possible dents in your roof gutters and leaf guards.
Dented Roof Accessories
Dents and cracks are obvious signs of roof damage. Check your metal roof vents, chimney covers, and flashing for dents. Cracks in roof patch compounds and softer roofing materials like PVC also indicate damage.
Damaged Shingles
Another sign of hail damage is missing, loose, or curling shingles. Shingles flapping in the wind are considered loose. Cracks or hail hits on roof shingles are another sign that your roof needs repairs. Damaged shingles can’t effectively protect your roof itself which leads to permanent damage or faster aging of the roof.
Exposed Fiberglass Mat
Hail can shatter the surface of roof shingles, causing them to break away from the fiberglass mat underneath. It can also fracture the fiberglass which can be harder for you to detect and needs a trained eye. Fractured fiberglass mats can cause cracks and tears at the hail impact point.
Weakened Self-seal Strip
Hailstorms and high winds can weaken your shingle’s seal integrity causing the shingle to blow off and exposing your roof to elements. The integrity of the damaged shingle is permanently compromised. This can cause leaks in your roof and lead to tears in other shingles around it.
What To Look For Inside
Recurring Water Leaks
If there’s water in your home during or after rain or a hailstorm, this indicates old hail damage.
Water Stains
Check all ceilings and walls of your home for water stains and discoloration. A discoloration is characterized by a yellow, brown, or copper color of the ceilings. Keep a lookout for anything that might look like bubbling paint because it means there’s water trapped between the drywall and paint. Do not forget to check your garage and all closets as well.
Mold & Mildew
Water promotes the growth of mold or mildew. If you notice such growth in your home after a hailstorm, it means that your roof is damaged. Mold is a good indicator of damage as it can grow quickly within 24 to 48 hours after water damage has occurred. Check your walls, wood, and insulation for any growth.
If you notice any of the above-mentioned signs of roof damage after a hailstorm, then it means your roof needs immediate repairs. You can still miss damages on your roof, therefore, we recommend that you call in your local roofing company for storm damage restoration. Prolonging the roof inspection and necessary repairs can lead to permanent damage to your roofing as well as pose a safety risk to you and your family.
At Hailbusters Roofing & Restoration, we provide the expertise of a fully licensed contractor. Our team of roofing experts is fully equipped to handle both your residential and commercial projects. We can help you in repairs and maintenance of your hail damage roofing as well as file for an insurance claim as well.