Were You Hit With Hail This Season?
The Colorado storm season is one of the most active in North America, bringing strong winds and hailstones that can range from pebble to softball size. These storms can wreak havoc on your property, and your roof bears the brunt of the damage from high winds, heavy rains, hail, snow, and debris. This year’s storm season brought golf ball-sized hail to the Denver area, which could very easily have damaged your roof without your knowledge.
If your roof has been damaged by hail, your home may be vulnerable to roof leaks or more rapid deterioration of shingles or roofing materials.
If you have any suspicion your roof might need some attention following the season’s hailstorms, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you need to know about spotting hail damage and your next steps toward fixing the damage.
1. What Does Hail Damage Look Like?
Hail damage to your roof can be very obvious or very difficult to uncover, but there are some key things you can look for without ever getting on a ladder. You might be able to look at your gutters and see if there are shingle granules inside them—that can be an indication of deteriorating shingles that might be damaged by hail storms.
You can also look at the metal fixtures on your roof like the metal cap on your chimney or wind turbines. If they have dents all over them, you might have a hail damaged roof. There are other signs of hail damage to your roof, including the appearance of spots on your shingles in no apparent pattern.
Your roof is not the only way to spot hail damage, you can also look for other areas of your home that have damage. Some examples are dented gutters, damaged siding or windows, uncovered outdoor air conditioners, and fencing, decks and other wood surfaces.
Scheduling an inspection by a professional roofing inspector is a smart idea, as they will know how to spot hail damage and help you to evaluate what your next move should be.
2. What To Do If You Have Hail Damage
If you are a homeowner and think you may have hail damage, the first thing you should do is call a professional roofing company to schedule an inspection. If your inspection shows damage that qualifies for an insurance claim, your next stop would be to file an insurance claim with your homeowner’s insurance company.
In Colorado, this process is very common, and a professional roof inspection will provide necessary documentation to begin a conversation with your insurance company if you are planning to file a claim. It’s important to have a roof inspection completed prior to contacting your insurance company. Your insurance company is looking for reasons not to replace your roof. A roofing professional can help you negotiate a fair deal with your adjuster based on the level of damage.
Bear in mind that many insurance policies require that you file a roof insurance claim within a year of the reported damage. And with the amount of snow and the temperature fluctuations that we can experience in this part of the country, you don’t want to delay necessary roofing repairs.
Trust J&K Roofing to Repair Your Hail Damage
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, which is why you want to have confidence that your local roofing company has the skills and experience to get the job done. J&K Roofing has been servicing the Denver Metro, Front Range, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins areas for nearly 40 years, and there’s no job we can’t handle. Get in touch with us today for your free roof inspection to make sure your roof is free of hail damage and ready for winter!