Asphalt shingle roofs are pretty impressive for the beating they take. In Indiana, they withstand temperature changes of a hundred degrees, wind, rain, ice, snow, and hail. Asphalt is a durable material that can withstand decades of assault from mother nature, but they're not totally resistant. Two kinds of storm do the most damage to asphalt shingle roofs - wind and hail.
Wind and hail damage may be fully covered by your home insurance, but you need to get it reported as soon as possible. Insurance companies will verify the weather conditions against regional databases and will verify that the damage happened within the timeframe you're required to report it. That's why it's never a bad idea to have us out for an inspection after a bad storm. Our trained experts can easily identify the damage and assist in your report of it to your insurance company.
Wind Damaged Roof
Shingle roofs are designed to withstand high, sustained winds, but gusts can still damage, break, or even rip off shingles. Sometimes the damage isn't easily visible (like a missing shingle), but a close inspection of shingles shows cracks where the wind blew so hard it folded them. Other signs are easier - like broken or missing shingles.It's imperative that you get your roof repaired immediately so that you avoid additional structure damage from moisture. And it's important to realize that not all damage is easily identified. Our trained professionals can climb atop your roof and fully inspect it.
Hail Damaged Roof
Hail isn't as simple to identify. Broken skylights, dents in gutters and downspouts, torn window screens, and roof shingle granules found in gutters may all be indicators of hail damage. Check the trees, shrubs and plants around your house and if their leaves are all ripped off, it's a good sign of a heavy hail storm. Hail that is large enough and that has enough velocity can impact and damage (bruise) the shingles, allowing moisture through.Did you know? The largest recorded hailstone in U.S. history fell on July 23, 2010, in Vivian, South Dakota, measuring 8 inches in diameter and weighing 1.94 pounds. The prized stone is now on ice at the National Center of Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. Source: RMIIADepending on the density and damage of the hail strikes, your roof may be okay - or require an entire replacement. Your insurance company will come out, and measure the number of strikes within a certain square area - then provide a repair based on their findings. Hail can also damage chimneys, vents, and other rooftop pieces of equipment.
If you've got an older roof, you still may need an entire replacement if wind or hail damaged shingles are no longer in circulation. Home insurance often has clauses that shingles must match in order to maintain property values.
Give us a call and we'll come out and inspect your roof for damage. Don't wait, though!
Tags
Subscribe to Amos Exteriors's Blog
Comments