A hailstorm in Katy TX, may not be the worst natural disaster to ever happen to your home, but they still cause a significant amount of long-term damage. The last thing you want is for storm damage to ruin your home's beauty.
The High Cost of Hailstorms
Hailstorms cause billions of dollars in damages each year. This damage results in thousands of insurance company claims and hundreds of homes lost for good. Roofing repair costs can quickly skyrocket because hail affects everything outside your home, including your vehicle, windows, and roof.
Some hail damage signs are obvious, but it is the smaller unnoticeable damage that can be quite expensive to fix. Let's dive a little further into how Katy hailstorms affect a roof repair and the different types of damage.
Signs You Need a Roof Repair
Katy hail damage can be a minor or serious problem depending on a number of factors before we can determine roofing services:
Wind Damage
The strength, direction, and intensity of the wind in a hailstorm can vary greatly, and this can make the hailstones to be more or less severe.
Hailstone Size
The larger the hailstone, the greater the impact and damage to your roof.
Hailstone Density and Shape
The atmospheric conditions can affect the density and shape of the hailstones. These hailstones have rough edges that increase roofing repair costs, damaging any other property you have in the open.
Type of Roof Material
The impact and degree of damage to your roof will depend on the material. Quality Katy roofing will absorb hail impact with minimal damage, but a roof with a lower build quality may not cushion the hailstone impact as well. Whether vinyl siding or cedar wood shake roofing, the hailstorm damage will depend on the roof condition.
Hailstone Barriers
Natural barriers like trees can reduce the hailstone impact on your roof. Other physical structures like taller adjacent buildings and fences can protect from hailstone damage.
Effect of Hailstorm Damage
Professional roofing services are required where there is leakage and other issues. The damage to your Katy roofing can be cosmetic or functional. However, cosmetic damage is often more severe than what you see. Let's find out more about roof hail damage and whether you'd need a roof replacement.
Granule loss
Granules are the abrasive part of the shingle. Once a shingle starts to lose granules, the asphalt coating becomes exposed and leads to quicker aging. Inspect your gutters and downspouts to see if your shingles are losing granules.
Shingle Cracks
Hard hail impact can damage the shingle and cause cracks. These cracks will lead to exposure leaving your roof with bald spots. Without a roof repair, a cracked shingle won't protect your roof from adverse weather conditions. Sooner than later, you'd need a roof replacement.
Fiberglass Mat Exposure
Hail impact can weaken your shingle zeal integrity. Broken fiberglass is harder to detect and may require roof repair. A fractured fiberglass mat can accelerate the roof aging process.
Weakened Seal
Hail impact can weaken shingle seal integrity. Once the seal is weak, your shingle can blow off and leave your roof exposed. A damaged shingle is permanently compromised, causing other shingles around it to wear.
Dented Metal
Metal roofs are susceptible to dents after a hailstorm. The flashing, downspouts, and gutters can be severely dented. Inspect your home or call a roof repair specialist to do it for you. It is critical to handle downspout and gutter problems at once to prevent major problems in the future.
Now you know the common types of hail roof damage, you may start to look for damage signs on your property once the hailstorm passes. Now you know the common types of hail roof damage, you can start to look for damage signs on your property once the hailstorm passes. The following are steps to take after a hailstorm:
Steps to take after a Hailstorm
Hail damage can occur after a hailstorm, and the following are actionable steps to take once the storm is over:
Roof Inspection
You need a roof inspection to know what type of roof repairs you might need. A roofing contractor in Katy, TX, will work with your insurance provider and assist you through the claims process.
Insurance
Your roof repairs will depend on the type of insurance coverage you have. Ensure you document the hailstorm date and time and take on-site photos of the damage. Once you talk to your insurance agent and file your claim, an insurance adjuster will come to assess the roof damage.
Claims Adjuster
The claims adjuster will document a report about the roof damage and send it to your insurance provider. Your insurance carrier will figure out how much to pay for your roofing repair. When the claims adjuster arrives at your home, make sure a qualified roofing inspector is present as well.
Claim Payment
The last step in the insurance process is the claim payment. Once the claims adjuster submits the hailstorm damage evaluation, you will receive a check for your Katy roof repair minus deductibles. At this point, you can schedule your roof repairs with a Katy roofing company.
Warranty
A qualified Katy roofing contractor will provide a warranty once the work is complete. You will receive a workmanship warranty on all replacements and repairs on your roof.
Buyer Beware
Many unqualified roofing companies will knock on your door after a hailstorm to offer a roof inspection and free estimate of repairs. Be wary of these solicitations. A good standard to judge a Katy roofing company is they ought to be in business as long as the warranty they provide.
Demand for references and confirm the physical business address of the roofing company. Ensure this roofing company is properly licensed and insured. Your best bet is to ask your insurance carrier for a list of local roofers in Katy, TX, who are approved and vetted by your insurance provider.
Roof Hail Damage FAQs
What is hail, and how does it form?
Hail is a unique precipitation that is the result of air updrafts in thunderstorms. Hail is formed when water drops freeze in air updrafts of thunderstorm clouds.
What hail size can cause roof damage in Katy?
Even hail smaller than 1" can cause significant damage to common asphalt shingles. When it
comes to hail size, below are some common everyday objects to compare:
- Pea – 1/4 inch
- Marble – 1/2 inch
- Penny – 3/4 inch
- Nickel – 7/8 inch
- Quarter – 1 inch
- Golf ball – 1.5 inches
- Tennis ball – 2.5 inches
- Baseball – 2.75 inches
- Teacup – 3 inches
- Softball – 4 inches
How do I know if my roof exterior has hail damage?
After a hailstorm, the first place to look out for hail damage is your gutters. High impact hail capable of causing damage will definitely dent your downspouts and gutters, ensuring you require a roof repair.
Where is a Roof Replacement company near me in Katy, TX?
If you are looking for roofing services in Katy, R&S Roofing is one of the most reliable Katy roofing contractors that specialize in roof replacement, roof repair, and all your quality roofing needs. Whether it's emergency repairs or high-quality roofing shingles, R&S Roofing Services will take care of your roofing project, restoring your roof back to its previous condition.
We are the experts at finding dents, missing granules, scratches, and lifted edges including missing shingles, and our team is capable of taking care of all your roofing needs. Call us today for a free roof inspection or a roof repair.