Hail, Roof Damage, And What You Can Do About It

There are few things as seemingly innocent as a quick round of hail during a summer storm. But, Franklin, TN-based QE Roofing explains that these little ice nuggets can do much more harm than you might expect. We recently sat down with the crew to get the inside insight.

Q: What is hail?

QE Roofing: For those of you not familiar with solid precipitation, hail is essentially dense ice balls that form during a thunderstorm or tornado. Individual drops of water are pushed upward into the coldest parts of the atmosphere and bond with others. When they freeze and become heavy enough, gravity takes over, and they fall toward the ground. Hailstones can be as small as the tip of a pencil eraser to larger than a softball. The bigger the stone, the more potential for damage that requires roofing repair.

Q: How do I know if my home is susceptible to hail damage?

QE Roofing: All homes are at risk of hail damage, and especially those in areas that experience strong thunderstorms. Hail can strike anywhere, but is especially prevalent in the South and Southwest. Even if you have a metal roof, you’ll still want to survey your property after a storm.

Q: What type of damage can hail cause?

QE Roofing: Damage to your roof might not be immediately apparent. But, there are a few signs you can look for that might indicate a recent hail storm. These include plants and trees missing foliage, divots in soft soil, and dents on your air-conditioning unit, vehicles, or outside furniture. If you notice any of these issues, wait until the storm subsides and then take a peek at the top of your house. While hail damage varies by material and hailstone size, if you have asphalt shingles, your first indication of damage may be small dark spots on your shingles, especially those with missing granules. Metal roofs may be pockmarked while tile shingles may be cracked or broken.

Q: Is it always necessary to call for roofing repair after a hailstorm?

QE Roofing: If you live in Franklin, TN our roofing repair experts can come out and give you a free inspection. If no damage is found, then no repair as necessary. However, even infractions that might look minor can cause big problems in the long run. Compromised shingles, for example, may eventually turn into a full-fledged leak, which can cause a host of issues inside of your home, including rotted wood and mold. Sometimes, roofing repair only requires minor fixes, such as replacing a few damaged shingles. Your insurance company may cover this cost, but take the time to contact your agent or read through your homeowner insurance policy if you are not certain.

Hail is one of the more interesting weather phenomena. But, it’s also one of the most dangerous. Don’t let your home suffer, do a quick visual inspection, and contact your preferred roofing repair contractor today before a few damaged shingles become a much more serious problem for your home.

Has your home suffered hail damage? Contact Franklin’s premier roofing repair experts at QE Roofing today for your free inspection. QE Roofing provides roofing repair  and maintenance to homes in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Nolensville, Spring Hill, Thompson’s Station, Smyrna, and Columbia.